South Asian Student Dental Association Elects New Officers

The Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) recently re-launched their chapter of the South Asian Student Dental Association (SASDA). The student organization was first founded in 2015, before disbanding for nearly two academic years.

Under the leadership of new faculty advisor Dr. Samira Shekih, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of General Dentistry, the group has also rebranded itself with a new logo. Four newly elected officers will represent the group. Divya Puri DMD 19 is the new President; Safina-Aliya Dhanji DMD 19 was elected Vice President; Joanne Johnson DMD 19 is SASDA’s new Secretary; and Taymiah Mahmood DMD 21 will serve as Treasurer.

SASDA at GSDM strives to promote greater cultural awareness of the South Asian community (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka), and to create an environment where everyone is welcomed to explore and experience the diverse South Asian culture. SASDA will work collaboratively with other GSDM and BUMC organizations to organize cultural events to celebrate various occasions/festivals throughout the year. They also will work to participate in cultural activism, and focus on health issues affecting people of South Asian origin.

Membership in SASDA is open to all enrolled predoctoral and postdoctoral GSDM students and residents. Interested students can email sasda@bu.edu for more details.