Dr. Southerland is an experienced clinician, educator, administrator, and interprofessional trailblazer. She has led efforts at multiple institutions to transform the academic health sciences enterprise through active engagement with faculty, students and staff.  This prestigious award highlights her innovative approaches in community health initiatives, as well as her leadership in promoting preventive care and education.

“Dr. Southerland is being honored for her rich and productive career as a trailblazer in modern dental care and her distinct focus on access to care,” said Dr. Damien Cuffie, Senior Clinical Dental Advisor for Louisiana at DentaQuest. “Dr. Southerland is leading efforts to develop an access expansion roadmap for Louisiana and to create dental education opportunities statewide. We are thrilled to honor her with this award.”

Throughout her career, Dr. Southerland has not only provided exceptional care to her patients but has also led numerous initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of oral health issues and improving access to dental services for underserved populations.

“This is truly an honor to receive this award from DentaQuest,” said Dr. Southerland. “Community has always been a part of my heart. Louisiana is extremely rural, somewhere between 70%-80%, but partnering with DentaQuest has assisted to target those areas in providing oral health access throughout my career.”

The award was presented to Dr. Southerland at a special ceremony on August 8th, 2024 at the LSU Health School of Dentistry. The event brought together dental professionals, community leaders, and advocates for oral health to celebrate achievements in the field and promote a shared vision for the future of dental care.

For more information about Dr. Southerland and her work, please visit lsuhsc.edu.

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About DentaQuest

DentaQuest is a leading dental insurance provider in Louisiana, providing dental coverage to eligible members of various Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, Marketplace and Personal plans. They have built a national oral health ecosystem committed to quality patient care, efficient processes and continuous improvement on the fundamentals to help practices perform at its best.