The highest annual award presented by the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is the Alumni Association’s Medallion of Distinction, given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the school, the Alumni Association, the profession of dentistry or to society in general. These contributions include time, talent, dedication and leadership.
Breadcrumb
Dugoni Medallion of Distinction Award
Dr. Daniel Castagna ’81
Dr. Daniel Castagna earned his 1978 undergraduate degree from University of the Pacific, followed by his 1981 DDS degree from the School of Dentistry. After graduation, he was in full-time private practice in South San Francisco for eight years while also serving on the dental school's part-time faculty.
In 1990, Dr. Castagna transitioned to full-time dental education as an assistant clinical professor in fixed and removable prosthodontics. Over the years, he authored numerous articles for professional publications and presented to organizations throughout the dental community. After a remarkable 45 years of service to Pacific and the profession, he retired as an associate professor of preventive and restorative dentistry.
Dr. Castagna’s commitment to dentistry and to Pacific has continued throughout his career. He is a fellow of the International College of Dentists, the American College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. His leadership has extended to the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, Pierre Fauchard Academy, Omicron Kappa Upsilon, numerous Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry committees and — of course — the Alumni Association.
During his 2017–2018 term as Alumni Association president, one of Dr. Castagna’s signature initiatives was to strengthen the Alumni Endowed Student Scholarship Fund via the the University’s Powell Grant Match Program. In the last year, 22 students have received scholarships totaling $152,000—an enduring alumni legacy of giving and commitment to the next generation of Pacific dental professionals.
Dr. Edmond Bedrossian ’86
Dr. Edmond Bedrossian, professor and chairman in the Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, at the Dugoni School, received his DDS degree from University of the Pacific, and completed his Oral and Maxillofacial Residency at Alameda Medical Center.
He is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery as well as an honorary member of the American College of Prosthodontists and the American College of Prosthodontics. He is a fellow of ITI and the Academy of Osseointegration.
Dr. Bedrossian has authored three textbooks as well as multiple articles and chapters on the various uses of the Zygomatic implant, bone grafting and treatment planning implant dentistry. He is on the editorial review boards of the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants, the Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research and the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.
He has lectured with Professor Brånemark on the rehabilitation of patients with maxillofacial defects and collaborated with him in attaining FDA approval for the use of endosseous implants in maxillofacial defects.
Honorees
2027
- Dr. Edmond D. Bedrossian ’86
- Dr. Daniel Castagna ’81
2026
- Dr. Homayon Asadi ’88
- Ms. Elena M. Francisco
2025
- Dr. Ann Marie Silvestri ’75
2024
- Dr. Alan Budenz
- Dr. Judee Tippett-Whyte ’86
- Dr. William A. van Dyk ’73
2023
- Dr. Patricia A. King
- Dr. James G. Rolfe ’68
2022
- Dr. Jetson S. Lee ‘84/’86 Ortho
- Dr. Jack M. Saroyan ‘62
- Dr. Allen J. Wong ‘86
2021
- Dr. John W. Feaster ’74A
- Mr. Raybel Ramos
2020
- Mr. Stan Constantino
- Dr. Debra A. Woo
2019
- Dr. Lucinda J. Lyon
- Dr. Bruce G. Toy
2018
- Dr. William M. Carpenter
- Dr. Nava Fathi
- Ms. Joan Yokom
2017
- Dr. Dorothy Dechant
- Mrs. Melanie Lundquist
- Mr. Richard Lundquist
- Dr. Ariane R. Terlet
2016
- Dr. M. Gabrielle Thodas
- Dr. Gary A. Thodas
- Dr. Steven A. Dugoni
2015
- Dr. Scott t. Jacks (p)
- Dr. Maria Pallavicini
2014
- Mr. Michael Carroll
- Dr. Joseph Levy (p)
- Mr. Jim Mair
- Dr. Shannon Wong (p)
2013
- Dr. Pamela A. Eibeck
- Dr. Nader A. Nadershahi
- Dr. Daniel S. Tanita
2012
- Dr. Robert L. Boyd
- Dr. A. Thomas Indresano
- Dr. Dennis D. Shinbori
2011
- Dr. Patrick J. Ferrillo, Jr.
- Mr. Gary M. Mitchell
- Congresswoman Jackie Speier
2010
- Dr. Richard E. Fredekind
- Dr. N. Karl Haden
2009
- Dr. Ernest G. Giachetti
2008
- Dr. Roy C. Bergstrom
- Dr. Martin Brotman
- Dr. Eugene E. LaBarre
2007
- Mr. Patrick D. Cavanaugh
- Mr. Donald E. O’Connell
- Dr. Jane Wright-Hayes
2006 – No Recipients
- (Tribute to Dr. Art Dugoni)
2005
- Dr. L. Stephen Buchanan
- Ms. Eve Cuny
- Ms. Christine E. Miller
- Dr. Donald R. Poulton
- Dr. Craig S. Yarborough
2004
- Dr. William M. Dorfman
- Dr. Paul D. Glassman
- Dr. Giuseppe Inesi
- Dr. Henry A. Sutro
- Dr. Colin C. Wong
2003
- Dr. Kenneth Frangadakis
- Dr. Philip Gilbertson
- Dr. Jack N. Hadley
- Dr. Larry G. Loos
- Dr. Clifford J. Ruddle
2002
- Dr. Sigmund H. Abelson
- Dr. W. Ronald Redmond
- Mr. Thomas J. Soden
- Dr. Betty S. Vodzak
2001
- Mr. P. Lance Keever
- Dr. W. Eugene Roberts
- Dr. F. Paul Senise
2000
- Dr. Susan A. Bittner
- Dr. Frank A. Brucia
- Dr. Donald V. DeRosa
- Dr. Eddie K. Hayashida
- Mr. Gordon J. Tucker
1999
- Mayor Willie Brown, Jr.
- Dr. David W. Chambers
- Dr. Kenneth F. Fat
- Ms. Joanne O. Fox
- Dr. D. William Harman
1998
- Dr. Ronald F. Borer
- Ms. Arlene W. Burbank
- Ms. Katherine A. Dugoni
- Dr. Louis J. Geissberger
1997
- Dr. Eric K. Curtis
- Mr. Edward J. Mitchell
- Dr. Joseph M. Yamamoto
1996
- Dr. William W. Goon
- Mr. Milton C. Lambertson
- Dr. Theodore K. Lee
- Dr. David B. Nielsen
- Dr. G. Bruce Valentine
1995
- Dr. Bernard S. Aarons
- Dr. Bill L. Atchley
- Dr. Robert H. Christoffersen
- Dr. Kenneth E. Follmar
1994
- Ms. Rosemary Dixon
- Dr. James R. Pride
- Mrs. Margarita A. Robertson
- Dr. Eugene E. West
1993
- Dr. Arthur A. Molinari
1992
- Dr. Ralph P. Ermoian
- Dr. Raymond J. Graves
- Ms. Patricia M. Wagner
1991
- Dr. F. Gene Dixon
- Dr. Thomas R. Flinn
- Dr. Paul R. Thomassen
1990
- Mr. Alfred E. Gilmour
- Dr. James J. Leib (p)
- Dr. Herbert E. Ward
1989
- Dr. James A. Campbell
- Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni
- Ms. Elizabeth M. Selmer
1988
- Dr. William E. Allen
- Dr. Thomas J. Beare
- Dr. Richard F. Hoedt
- Ms. Shirley Jaworowski
1987
- Dr. Fletcher Craig
- Dr. Judson Klooster
- Dr. Stanley E. McCaffrey
- Ms. Dorothy Minto
- Dr. R. Neil Smithwick
1986
- Dr. Leroy D. Cagnone
- Dr. Irwin L. Marcus
- Dr. Dale F. Redig
- Dr. Frank J. Thayer
- Dr. Leonard M. Warren
1985
- Father Richard Mulcahy
- Dr. Louis H. Silveira
- Dr. John J. Tocchini
- Dr. Frederick T. West
- Dr. Herbert K. Yee
- Dr. Stephen S. Yuen
Alumnus of the Year Award Recipients
- 1984 Dr. Carl J. Johnson
- 1983 Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni
- 1982 Dr. James A Campbell
- 1981 Dr. Frederick T. West
- 1979 Dr. Herbert E. Ward
- 1978 Dr. Leroy D. Cagnone
- 1977 Dr. Louis Silveira
- 1976 Dr. Thomas J. Beare
- 1975 Dr. Clancy Butler
- 1974 Dr. John J. Tocchini
- 1973 Dr. Benjamin Reinke
- 1972 Dr. Ruben Blake
- 1971 Dr. Thomas R. Flinn
- 1970 Dr. George Hollenback
- 1969 Dr. Henry Harris
- 1966 Dr. Jack Werner
- 1963 Dr. Don Jose Aubertine
- 1962 Dr. A.W. Ward
- 1960 Dr. Franklin H. Locke
- 1958 Dr. Henry Harris
- 1957 Women’s Auxiliary
- 1956 Board of Trustees
Nomination Criteria
Category I
Outstanding Contributions to the Dental School or Alumni Association By an Alumnus or Associate Member who has made contributions to the dental school or the Alumni Association as an active member in terms of time, talents, dedication, leadership and other contributions.
Category II
Outstanding Contributions in Any Area By an Alumnus or Associate Member who has made significant contributions not directly associated with the dental school or Alumni Association as in Category I, but through participation in community, public health, civic, political, humanities, literature, art, music or other areas of endeavor.
Category III
Outstanding Contributions to the Dental School or Society By an Individual Dentist (not an Alumnus or Associate Member) or non-dentist who has made outstanding contributions to the dental school or to society in general which the school or the Alumni Board of Directors may wish to recognize.
