The Loma Linda University School of Dentistry (LLUSD) is proud to announce the 2026 inductees into the Chi Chi Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), the national dental honor society.
Founded in 1914 at Northwestern University, OKU remains the premier dental honor society in the United States, recognizing students who have distinguished themselves through excellence in scholarship, character, and professionalism.
Membership in OKU is a prestigious honor reserved for the top-performing students in the graduating class. At LLUSD, candidates are chosen not only for their academic ranking, but also for the clinical mastery and leadership that define our school's commitment to exceptional oral healthcare. These inductees truly embody our mission, Service is our Calling, by balancing rigorous scholarship with a dedication to volunteering their time and skills to those who need it most.
The LLUSD Chi Chi Chapter has served as a local pillar for the national organization since its establishment. This year’s inductees have navigated a rigorous curriculum, demonstrating an exceptional ability to adapt and excel. Their induction into OKU marks the beginning of a new chapter in their professional lives, one where they will continue to serve as leaders in oral health and ambassadors for the School of Dentistry.
Honorary Inductee:
Alisa Wilson, RDH; Infection Control
Faculty Inductees:
Samah Omar, DDS, MSD; Department of Pediatrics, Faculty
Joseph Kan, DDS'90, MS'96; Implant Dentistry, Faculty
Student Inductees:
Jonathan Ao
Yarezmin Che De Ochoa
Rachel Chung
Tu Hoang
Austin Yoon Tae Kim
Jun Ho Kim
Daniel Krall
Salar Motamedi Dehkordi
Nidhi
Carolyn Park
Chandler Phelps
Caleb Smeraldi
Elianna Srikureja
Michel Yassa