Walter Reed National Military Medical Center hosted the Naval Postgraduate Dental School (NPDS), a directorate of the Naval Medical Leader and Professional Development Command (NMLPDC), 103rd Graduate Dental Education Programs Certificate and Awards Ceremony on May 14, 2026, at Clark Auditorium.
The ceremony recognized 32 dental officers from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, and U.S. Air Force who successfully completed advanced graduate dental education programs ranging from one to four years in length.
“When I look out to the audience, I see some very excited graduates,” said Rear Adm. Walter Brafford, Chief, Navy Dental Corps. “Congratulations on this special achievement and I wish you continued success in the next chapter of your careers and lives.”
The following graduates successfully completed NPDS residencies. Additionally, 20 have received their Master of Science degree from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS).
Four-Year Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency:
U.S. Air Force Maj. Jacob Johnson
U.S. Army Maj. Heesung Kim
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Kyle Berrong
U.S. Navy Lt. Jordan Cimilluca
Three-Year Orofacial Pain Residency:
U.S. Air Force Maj. Natalia Stepanova
Three-Year Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Residency:
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. James Wehrman
Three-Year Orofacial Periodontics Residency:
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jin Hwang
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Nathan Kobold
U.S. Navy Lt. Sofia Thompson
Three-Year Prosthodontics Residency:
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Julia Collazo
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Turner
U.S. Navy Lt. Madeleine Domenech
Two-Year Comprehensive Dentistry Residency:
U.S. Navy Cmdr. Michael Urbaitis
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Shingmei Chang
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Samuel Hanger
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Mendoza
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Thomas Pike
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Sterling Thompson
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Albert Young
U.S. Army Maj. Hye Kim
Two-Year Endodontics Residency:
U.S. Navy Cmdr. Adam Catz
U.S. Navy Cmdr. J. H. Maximilian Hofer
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Hannah Cook
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jae Oh
U.S. Air Force Maj. John Smith
Two-Year Orofacial Pain Fellowship:
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Robert Masterson
One-Year Maxillofacial Prosthetics Fellowship:
U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Timothy Daudelin
One-Year General Practice Residency:
U.S. Army Maj. Ashley Jackson
U.S. Navy Lt. Frank Cundiff
U.S. Navy Lt. Madelyn Frick
U.S. Navy Lt. Paul Mika
U.S. Navy Lt. Dawon Oh
Certificates of completion were presented by Brafford and Capt. Melissa Austin, Director, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Those that received their master’s degree received them during the USUHS Graduation.
“Congratulations to all of our graduates,” said Austin. “Your hard work and dedication has paid off immensely. I know no matter where you end up that you will take the lessons learned here and pass on that knowledge to those that come after you.”
NPDS equips graduates with the clinical expertise, research foundation, and leadership skills necessary to serve as operationally ready dental officers. The program directly supports the Navy Surgeon General’s campaign order to ensure Navy medical forces are trained, equipped, certified, and ready to support Joint and Naval operations worldwide.
As leaders of the Dental Corps, these graduates will play a crucial role in this transformative effort, applying their expertise in education, research, and clinical practice to ensure peak operational readiness.
Following graduation, officers will report to assignments across the globe, including aboard ships, with Marine Corps units, and at Medical Treatment Facilities. These assignments are vital in honing their leadership and clinical capabilities, preparing them to meet the evolving challenges of naval healthcare, shaping the future of naval dentistry and upholding the highest standards of care in any deployment scenario.