Bigelow Receives First ADHA/Sigma Phi Alpha Journalism Award

Carrie Bigelow, who received her master’s degree in dental hygiene education from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Dentistry in May, is the first recipient of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association/Sigma Phi Alpha Journalism Award.

This honor, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson, recognizes a student who has written a review or original research paper that contributes to the dental hygiene body of knowledge. Bigelow received the award, along with a plaque and $1,000 award, at the association’s annual session opening ceremonies in June.

Students enrolled in or within six months after graduation from a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree program were eligible to apply for the award. Submitted manuscripts were peer-reviewed and ranked by a selection committee.

Bigelow’s manuscript, “Dental Hygienists’ Views on Oral Cancer Control in North Carolina,” will be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Dental Hygiene, the scientific, peer-reviewed journal of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA). Bigelow is currently pursuing a career in academics in Michigan.

Danielle Furgeson, who also received her master’s degree in dental hygiene education from UNC-Chapel Hill in May, received honorable mention. Her manuscript is titled “The Role of the Student Professional Association in Mentoring Dental Hygiene Students for the Future.” Furgeson is currently manager of the Student American Dental Hygienists’ Association, part of the ADHA, in Chicago.

Bigelow’s thesis committee consisted of, from the School’s Department of Dental Ecology: Dr. Lauren L. Patton, director of the General Practice Residency and professor; Dr. Ronald P. Strauss, distinguished professor and chair; and Rebecca S. Wilder, director of graduate dental hygiene education and associate professor.

Furgeson’s thesis committee consisted of Wilder; Mary George, associate professor of dental ecology; Charlotte Peterson, clinical associate professor of dental ecology; Dr. Samuel Nesbit, clinical associate professor in the Department of Diagnostic Sciences and General Dentistry; and Diane Peterson, assistant professor in the Department of Dental Hygiene at Vermont Technical College.

The ADHA is the largest national organization representing the professional interests of the more than 120,000 dental hygienists nationwide. Sigma Phi Alpha is the National Dental Hygiene Honor Society.