Wilson Dental Library Dr. Clifton & Lois Dummett Research Award

The J. A. Wilson Dental Library Dr. Clifton & Lois Dummett Research Award recognizes students in Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC who demonstrate exemplary dental research that addresses social determinants of health, health disparities, cultural competency, cultural humility, diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and/or accessibility, and who show remarkable skill and creativity in the use of library resources and services. 

This award supports USC’s unifying value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, USC Libraries commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism, and Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry’s 2019-2024 Strategic Vision, which addresses the school’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and access. 

Funding for the award is made possible through a generous endowment gifted by Clifton O. Dummett, D.D.S. and Lois M. Dummett to the Wilson Dental Library. Dr. Clifton O. Dummett was a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, where he taught dental history and led the community dentistry department. Dr. Dummett was a preeminent author, researcher, and civil rights leader in dentistry. He was a huge supporter of, and spent a significant amount of time doing research in, the Wilson Dental Library (WDL). It's rumored that he had his own key to the library. Upon his death, his wife, Lois Dummett, donated Dr. Dummett's archives to WDL and also gifted an endowment to support WDL. 

A panel of dental librarian faculty and Ostrow faculty will judge submissions and select one awardee. The awardee will receive a certificate and a $500 monetary award. 

Contact Hannah Schilperoort, Head of the Wilson Dental Library, at schilper@usc.edu, with questions about the award. 

To be considered for this award, you must be the first author of a poster abstract that has been accepted to the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry Annual Research Day.

You must be a student, resident, or post-doc enrolled in a Dental program at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at the time of submission. Research must be completed as part of a course at USC or completed under the direction of an Ostrow Faculty Advisor. Faculty are not eligible for this award. 

Self nominations must include:

1. Completed poster in Microsoft PowerPoint format based on abstract accepted to Ostrow Research Day 
2. Reflective essay in Microsoft Word format describing use of library resources and services

The research must:

1. Address social determinants of health, health disparities, cultural competency, cultural humility, diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and/or accessibility 
2. Utilize library resources, services, and/or librarians

Deadline:

• Self nominations due: 3/17/2023 by noon PST to Hannah Schilperoort at schilper@usc.edu with a cc to Donna Castillo at dcastillo@ostrow.usc.edu
• Awardee will be notified prior to the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry 2023 Annual Research Day

Help with your submission:

• See the Research & Reflection Essay Requirements page of this guide for requirements and judging rubrics
• See the Library Resources & Services page for library resources and services you can highlight in your reflective essay
• See the About Dr. Clifton and Lois Dummett page for more information about and publications by Dr. Clifton Dummett and Lois Dummett