The highest annual award presented by the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry is the Alumni Association’s Medallion of Distinction, given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the school, the Alumni Association, the profession of dentistry or to society in general. These contributions include time, talent, dedication and leadership. Medallion of Distinction award winners are normally announced at the Alumni Association's Annual Meeting each spring.
Dr. Daniel Castagna
Dr. Daniel Castagna earned his 1978 undergraduate degree from the University of the Pacific Stockton, followed by his 1981 Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the School of Dentistry. After graduation, he was in full-time private practice in South San Francisco for eight years while also serving on the dental school part-time faculty.
In 1990, Dr. Castagna transitioned to full-time dental education as an Assistant Clinical Professor in Fixed Prosthodontics and Removable Prosthodontics. Over the years, he authored numerous articles for professional publications and presented to organizations throughout the dental community. After a remarkable 45 years of service to Pacific and the profession, he retired as an Associate Professor of Preventive and Restorative Dentistry.
Dr. Castagna’s commitment to dentistry and to Pacific has continued throughout his career. He is a Fellow of the International College of Dentists, the American College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. His leadership has extended to the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, Pierre Fauchard Academy, Omicron Kappa Upsilon, numerous Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry committees; and of course, the Alumni Association.
During his 2017–2018 Alumni Association President term, one of Dr. Castagna’s signature initiatives was to strengthen the Alumni Endowed Student Scholarship Fund. This fund had never had formal growth campaign. A unique opportunity arose through the University’s Powell Grant Match Program. That year, the initial Alumni $58,000 fundraising was matched by the Powell Fund bringing the total to $116,000. Through this effort and with additional contributions, the scholarship fund’s corpus reached $1.4 million. It has grown now to $3,800,200. Also, this past school year 22 students received scholarships totaling $152,000—an enduring alumni legacy of giving and commitment to the next generation of Pacific dental professionals.
For me, Pacific has been a lifelong community, a place of friendship, service, mentorship and professional growth. As a Pacific and dental school alumnus, examination all the prior Alumni Medallion recipients reveals an outstanding legacy. Receiving the Dugoni Alumni Medallion of Distinction is truly an honor I will always be grateful!
