Outstanding alumni celebrated
Texas A&M University College of Dentistry and its alumni association presented outstanding and distinguished alumni awards during a reception Aug. 16 at the Southwest Dental Conference in Dallas.
Maribeth W. Stitt, M.Ed., RDH, BSDH was named 2024 Distinguished Alumnus, and Chelsea Moorman, BSDH, RDH, FADHA was named 2024 Outstanding Young Alumnus.
Maribeth Stitt earned a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in 1984 from the Caruth School of Dental Hygiene at what was then Baylor College of Dentistry. She practiced dental hygiene for 18 years in general dentistry and periodontics. In 1986, she had the opportunity to teach clinically for Baylor College of Dentistry where she discovered her love of education. Maribeth completed a Master of Education in Allied Health Education and Administration at the University of Houston in 2002. While completing her master’s, she worked in a periodontal practice and served as a clinical instructor at UTHealth School of Dentistry from 1999 to 2003. Maribeth was the first dental hygiene faculty member to be awarded the prestigious John P. McGovern Clinical Teaching award in May 2000. Upon completion of her master’s, she became the founding faculty member and director of the dental hygiene program for the Lone Star College System in Houston. She served in that capacity from 2003 to 2015. In 2015, she was appointed to a dean’s position outside of dental hygiene. Maribeth retired from the Lone Star College System in August 2021. She and her husband, Jim, reside in Gilmer, Texas. She enjoys spending time with her grandson, Derek, and as an adjunct faculty member of the Tyler Junior College Dental Hygiene Program.
Chelsea Moorman graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M – Baylor College of Dentistry in 2016. While there, she served in multiple leadership positions and as the president of the school’s student chapter of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (SCADHA). Before graduation, she was inducted into the dental hygiene honor society, Sigma Phi Alpha, and later served as the president. Chelsea works for a general dentistry practice and as a clinical assistant professor in the dental hygiene department at Texas A&M University School of Dentistry. She has been on the board of directors for the Dallas Dental Hygienists’ Association (DDHA) since she graduated, serving in a variety of positions, including president, vice president of membership, treasurer and delegate. In 2023, she became the chair of Hygiene CE Express for Dallas’ Southwest Dental Conference. In addition to teaching, she is a co-SCADHA adviser and a research mentor for student poster presentations. Chelsea was an inaugural inductee as a Fellow of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association for her commitment to service and continuing education. She is also co-owner of The Lazy Hygienist, a business dedicated to helping dental professionals work smarter, and not harder, through continuing education and community.