Dental hygiene department chair receives award

Alumni association chooses distinguished alumnus

Submitted by WVU School of Dentistry Alumni Association

Dr. Kerri Simpson hands a distinguished alumnus award to Amy Funk.Amy Danielle Funk received a distinguished alumus award from the West Virginia University School of Dentistry alumni association. She was one of five recognized at alumni weekend March, 25, 2022. 

Amy Funk received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene in 1992 and a Master of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene from West Virginia University in 1997. Before beginning her professional affiliation with the WVU Department of Dental Hygiene, Amy worked as a clinical hygienist in private practice and also taught part time in dental hygiene at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry. In 2000, she began teaching part time as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the WVU Division of Dental Hygiene. She continued teaching full time in the Division of Dental Hygiene and received her promotion as a Professor in 2019 and has served as Chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene since 2017.

Amy received her WV dental hygiene license in 1992. She is certified in the application of bleaching agents, monitoring of nitrous oxide administration, general supervision, and public health practice. In addition, she is certified as a tobacco cessation treatment specialist. She is a current member of the American Dental Education Association and the dental hygiene honorary society, Sigma Phi Alpha.

Funk has received many awards which include the WVU School of Dentistry Outstanding Teacher Award in 2015 and 2018, induction into the Sigma Phi Alpha dental hygiene honorary and the Phi Kappa Phi National Honorary, the Academy of Excellence in Teaching and Learning Award, and the WVU Vice President’s Go First Award for Health Sciences in 2021.