Imagen Dental Partners and Concorde Career Colleges have awarded $3,325 scholarships to three dental hygiene students from Concorde’s campuses in Garden Grove, San Bernardino, and San Diego, California. The scholarships are part of a workforce solutions partnership announced earlier this year between the two organizations, aimed at addressing the rising demand for dental hygienists in California.
According to Concorde Career Colleges, this marks the second round of scholarships funded by Imagen Dental Partners for Concorde students. Imagen is a dental partnership organization with more than 110 affiliated practices across 16 states.
“Imagen is deeply invested in shaping the future of dentistry,” said Dr. Sameeri Puri, chief clinical officer at Imagen Dental Partners. “Many of our partners have welcomed Concorde graduates into their teams and consistently found them to be highly capable and ready to contribute day one. Supporting scholarships for Concorde students is a natural extension of that alignment. It reflects our commitment to cultivating emerging talent and uplifting individuals who are eager to make a lasting difference in dentistry.”
The scholarship recipients are:
Bishnu Khatiwada, from Concorde-Garden Grove, originally from rural Nepal. Khatiwada plans to serve underserved communities by increasing access to dental care. “My past experiences fuel my purpose,” Khatiwada said. “Coming from a community where people lived without even basic oral care, I carry a responsibility and passion to give back.”
Genessis Amigon, from Concorde-San Bernardino, is a mother and immigrant committed to patient education and outreach. “I am proud that I am setting a great example for my kids,” Amigon said. “They’ve seen every sacrifice I've made to follow my dreams.”
Tram Le-Doan, from Concorde-San Diego, is a Navy spouse who is focused on serving military families. “I hope to make a meaningful impact by providing care and support to those who serve our country and their loved ones,” Le-Doan said.
“We appreciate Imagen Dental Partners’ commitment to our students, and to empowering individuals who are passionate about making a meaningful impact in healthcare. Service to community is one of Concorde's pillars, and these scholarship awardees and their inspiring stories truly exemplify that community-minded focus,” said Kevin Prehn, president of Concorde Career Colleges.
Imagen Dental Partners said it plans to extend its outreach efforts to Concorde dental hygiene students in Florida and Texas through campus visits and participation in career fairs, as part of its ongoing response to workforce needs in those regions.
Concorde Career Colleges stated that its dental hygiene program combines online coursework, in-person lab instruction, and clinical experience. Students can complete the program in as few as 17 months, depending on transfer credits and course schedules.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, national employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow 9 percent from 2023 to 2033. In California, the U.S. Department of Labor estimates a 15 percent increase in employment for dental hygienists from 2022 to 2032.
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