University of Maryland School of Dentistry

“Each year, this scholarship has a meaningful impact on our exceptional students, enabling them to focus on academic excellence, professional growth, and service,” said Mark A. Reynolds, DDS, PhD, dean and professor at UMSOD.

“The accomplishments, contributions, and aspirations of this year’s recipients are truly outstanding. I am proud to recognize and congratulate our 2026 Dean’s Scholarship for Leadership & Excellence awardees.”

Michael Abromovage, DDS Class of ’27

Growing up in a household shared with his grandparents, Michael Abromovage served as one of the primary caretakers for his grandfather—someone he described as his biggest hero. After his grandfather lost his battle with lung cancer in 2014, Abromovage and his mother reflected on their favorite memories together. During that conversation, she shared that her father had once dreamed of becoming a dentist.

“My great-grandfather became sick and passed away when my grandfather was a teenager,” he said. “He was accepted into college with a scholarship but chose instead to take care of his ailing mother and younger sisters.”

Without hesitation, Abromovage recognized dentistry as his calling and a way to honor his grandfather’s legacy. “I realized I could fulfill two dreams at once,” he said.

He went on to graduate from the University of Scranton in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience and Biology. Although he describes himself as a homebody with deep family roots in Wyoming, Pa., he said UMSOD felt like home the moment he stepped on campus.

“I was at the University of Scranton food court with a friend in 2023, and he brought over a fortune cookie,” Abromovage recalled. “Inside, the message read, ‘Opportunity awaits you next Friday.’ That Friday, I opened my laptop and saw my acceptance letter from UMSOD.”

Whether coincidence or something more, he said he knew UMSOD was the right place to begin his journey. The fortune still sits in the back of his phone case.

Now serving as Class of 2027 president, Abromovage facilitates class meetings, represents student interests within the Student Government Association, and serves as a key advocate for his classmates. Through this role, he has built strong connections with faculty, alumni, and peers, deepening his engagement with the UMSOD community. His commitment has not gone unnoticed—he was one of just two students selected to receive the 2026 UMSOD World Kindness Award.

“One of the promises I made when becoming class president was that I would always lead by example,” he said. “Whether it’s coming to class prepared or remembering details about clinic, lab, and lecture to help my classmates, I want them to know they can count on me.”

Academically, Abromovage has also made his mark. Last year, he was first author on a peer-reviewed manuscript titled “What Every Dentist Needs to Know About the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Orthodontic Treatment Planning,” accepted for publication in General Dentistry.

A member of the Gorgas Odontological Honorary Society and Gamma Pi Delta Prosthodontic Honor Society, he has been actively involved in numerous committees and leadership roles. He serves on UMSOD’s Quality Assurance Committee and Biosafety Committee, supporting initiatives that promote clinical safety, enhance quality of care, and elevate the student voice in public health discussions.

In addition, Abromovage provides campus tours to prospective students and serves as a student interviewer for DDS candidates, offering valuable insight throughout the admissions process.

“Receiving this scholarship surrounds me with people who will forever be viewed as impactful in our UMSOD community,” he said. “I have so much love not only for this school but for my class as well. It’s truly a blessing.”

Looking ahead, Abromovage hopes to pursue a career in orthodontics and eventually return to academia, where he plans to mentor and inspire future generations of oral health care professionals.

Aza Shiao, DDS Class of ’26

In her time as a volunteer fourth-grade teacher at Baltimore Collegiate School for Boys, Aza Shiao witnessed the realities of low reading proficiency up close. Guiding students from picture books to chapter books, she saw how struggles with learning and comprehension reached far beyond academics—impacting both their mental and physical health.

That progress, she said, was about more than just reading skills. It was about confidence and independence.

“During that year, I got them to a point where they were reading on their own,” she said. “They were really empowered; not just reading wise, but I could see that they wanted to take ownership of their lives.”

Born and raised in Frederick, Md., Shiao graduated from University of Maryland, College Park in 2020 with a Bachelors in Neurobiology and Physiology. During her gap year, she worked as a dental assistant at Children’s Choice Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in New Carrollton, Md., and Washington D.C., an experience that led her to take on full-time roles at several practices after graduation.

She said this experience ignited a passion for educating and mentoring youth, ultimately driving her to work in education for a year.

“I wanted to uplift those children and that translated into dental school for me,” Shiao said. “All of the elements of teaching, whether its behavior control or distraction, you have to get creative. I realized a lot of things I practiced in education were similar to dentistry.”

That connection stayed with her and guided her journey through dental school. Next month, she will be graduating with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, a milestone that reflects her years of dedication and leadership.

In her previous roles as president (May 2024 – June 2025) and community outreach chair (June 2023 – May 2024) of the American Dental Student Association (ASDA) , Shiao helped educate students on a range of topics, from managing dental school finances to effectively communicating with patients and working in team-based settings. She also planned events with dental students from other schools in the Mid-Atlantic region in her role as District 3 Chapter Liaison (May 2024 – June 2025).

Shiao also served as ASDA chair, helping organize the Give Kids a Smile Dinner & Learn for the Baltimore community, which focused on oral health education.

Her volunteer efforts include participation in both the Eastern Shore and Universities at Shady Grove Mission of Mercy events, where she provided care to underserved populations. Shiao attended UMSOD’s 2025 mission trip to the Dominican Republic, where she worked alongside fellow students and faculty to provide care to more than 400 patients over spring break.

She now helps advise this year’s leaders of both ASDA and the Maryland Association of Pediatric Dentists.

Following graduation, Shiao plans to move to Washington, D.C., where she will begin her pediatric residency at Children’s National Hospital. Looking ahead five years, she hopes to be on Capitol Hill advocating for policies that not only support patients but are also evidence-based, safe, and impactful.

“I’m extremely grateful for everyone’s generosity towards making this year's scholarship happen,” Shiao said. “Whether it's making a difference like giving back to my community or mentoring the next generation of dentists, I will definitely pay this kindness forward.”

Stephanie Vargas, DDS Class of ’27

Stephanie Vargas was working as a cashier at a local consignment store when she was 17 and learned the shop would be ending its lease. Assuming she would need to find another retail job, she was surprised when a dentist walked in, handed her a business card, and asked, “Have you ever thought about becoming a dental assistant?”

“I didn’t really have a lot of experience going to a dentist growing up because my family didn’t go regularly,” Vargas said. “But after some thought I decided that it couldn’t hurt to follow up and see what this job was about.”

She noted that limited access to dental care in her childhood was largely due to financial constraints, as she grew up in a single-parent household with four siblings.

That phone call led to an opportunity to shadow—and soon begin working as a dental assistant—at McCarl Dental Group in Greenbelt, Md.

Through that experience, Vargas became increasingly aware of the barriers many patients face, including financial limitations and language access. Those challenges, shaped by her own upbringing, strengthened her interest in dentistry as a career.

Although her father is Mexican and her mother is American, she shared that she did not learn or regularly practice Spanish as a child, making her later efforts to build those language skills especially intentional.

“One thing that stood out to me was the outstanding need for Spanish-speaking providers,” Vargas said. “That pushed me to take classes in college and take every opportunity I could to practice.”

Vargas, who grew up in Bowie, Md., graduated in 2022 from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor of Science in General Biology. She now serves as a trusted provider for Spanish-speaking patients, helping ensure they can fully understand their care and feel confident in their treatment.

Focusing on pediatric dentistry, she is especially drawn to prevention and building early, consistent dental habits.

“You realize how much dental anxiety in adults comes from poor childhood experiences,” Vargas said. “If you form positive associations with a dentist early on, you can prevent a lot of issues down the road.”

She currently serves as Community Outreach Chair of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) and Co-President of the Maryland Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (MAPD) Student Chapter.  In these roles, she organizes educational programs and oral health screenings for children and families throughout the Baltimore community. She has led student participation in Give Kids a Smile events, delivering free screenings, education, and resources, and has coordinated service initiatives such as meal-packing, volunteer efforts, and food and hygiene drives in support of local Baltimore organizations.

Previously, she served as MAPD Vice President (August 2024–May 2025) and MAPD D1 Representative (August 2023–May 2024).

“This scholarship really means a lot to me, and I feel honored to have been selected,” Vargas said. “As a student taking on dental school debt, this support helps ease that burden. It means I can focus more on my patients, my studies, and my involvement in the community.”

After graduation, Vargas plans to complete a residency in pediatric dentistry. What comes next, she said, is still taking shape. But she knows Maryland is where her heart is—and she hopes to focus on dental public health, helping underserved families get the care they need.