International dental student selected for leadership role in ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership program

The School of Dentistry is thrilled to share that Marcelo Eduardo Lopez, MS, a third-year dental student in the International Dentist Education Program (IDEP), was elected to a student leadership position in the American Dental Association Institute for Diversity in Leadership (ADA-IDL) class of 2024-2025. This is the first time a third-year dental student has been selected to join. 

The ADA-IDL is a program designed to enhance the leadership skills of dentists from racial, ethnic or gender backgrounds who have traditionally been underrepresented in leadership roles and aim to expand the representation of dentists within the community.

Lopez is an international dentist from Mexico with a master’s degree in health care administration. He previously attended McKinsey & Company’s Leadership Essentials program as part of the Hispanic and Latino Leadership Academy. 

The Hispanic Dental Association (HDA) endorsed Lopez’s candidacy for the leadership position in the ADA-IDL, citing it’s strong history of member participation in this initiative.

“My involvement with the HDA began in 2022, and I have been an active member of several committees and chapters across Texas. I also became involved with diversity, equity and inclusion efforts while working at a national dental service organization, where my goal was to promote cultural diversity and address the needs of the Hispanic community and its workforce within the dental field,” said Lopez.

An integral part of the ADA-IDL program is having the participants put the leadership principles and training they have received to practical use. Participants select an issue or challenge in their community, organization or profession and develop and execute a plan to address it.

“My professional goal is to represent my Hispanic community and adapt current and future technology to benefit underserved communities. I’m also focused on staying ahead of trends and innovations in dentistry to help shape the future of oral health care,” shared Lopez.