On May 13th, 2017, the Florida Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons presented the Dr. Martin Lebowitz Award to Dr. Richard Tamayo. Richard Tamayo graduated from Southwest Miami High School, Suma Cum Laude, with a 4.55 G.P.A. While at Southwest Miami High, he assisted the Head Coach, Mauricio Diaz, in training student athletes on the volleyball team, helped run the drills and improve student techniques and was a member of their FHSAA State Volleyball team as they became the 2008 Champions. He was also a counselor at the Y.M.C.A. Summer Camp from June through August of 2011, supervising and escorting campers under the age of ten, and maintaining a safe and fun environment for the kids. Richard was a tutor in general chemistry from October 2011 – June 2012, instructing high school and college students in introductory levels of general chemistry, helping students solve chemistry problems and clarifying concepts of chemistry to improve their grades and performance in general chemistry.
Richard had matriculated at Florida International University, and received his Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry, graduating Summa Cum Laude in May of 2013. At FIU, he was on the Dean’s List for six consecutive semesters.
After college graduation, Richard became a student at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. While in dental school, he was a member of the American Student Dental Association, the Hispanic Student Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. He graduated with a D.M.D. degree in May of 2017, with a 3.73 G.P.A. Experiences during his dental education included the Co-Founding of the Equal Access Care Network Dental Clinic in 2015, where he was Electronic Health Records Manager from September 2015 until graduation. The EACN provides free comprehensive dental care to the local community. He was also an Extern at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, OMS program, from February 27 – March 5 of 2016, attending the Head & Neck Cancer Clinic, the Tumor Board, and acquired hands on experience in wound debridement and laceration closure, and served on emergency call. He was also an Extern from August 24 – 28, at the University of Florida OMS program, attending TMJ seminars and acquiring O.R. experience in various OMS surgeries, and served emergency call. He spent 70 hours with Sclar Oral Surgery, learning the surgical techniques and helping transport fragile sterilized equipment. He volunteered from January – June 2012 for the Community Smiles Clinic at U of F, where he assisted dental residents with retrieving and sterilizing equipment, used his bilingual skills to communicate between the residents and patients, and also attended the resident lectures.
It is with great pride that the FSOMS has presented Dr. Richard Tamayo with the 2017, Dr. Martin Lebowitz Award! Thank you for your service, and we extend every encouragement for your future professional growth and service to the dental profession.
Lawrence K. Cook, Awards Chairman
Download Dr. Richard Tamayo’s CV