Columbus pediatric dentist receives Ohio Dental Association Marvin Fisk Humanitarian Award
Dr. Homa Amini is the 2026 ODA Marvin Fisk Humanitarian Award winner.
Dr. Homa Amini has been devoted to improving access to care for children and vulnerable populations throughout her career. In recognition of her efforts, she received the Ohio Dental Association Marvin Fisk Humanitarian Award on Friday, Sept. 18 at the Callahan Celebration of Excellence, held in conjunction with the 160th ODA Annual Session.
Amini earned her DDS from The Ohio State University in 1993 and went on to receive a Masters in Public Health from Ohio State in 1996. She earned her M.S. in pediatric dentistry in 1997 from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Amini currently serves as an attending pediatric dentist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and professor of pediatric dentistry at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry.
Improving access to dental care has been a cornerstone of Amini’s career. She has secured multiple grants to expand access to dental care for vulnerable populations, including low-income families, immigrant communities, Head Start programs, individuals experiencing homelessness and pregnant teens.
She has also participated in many community outreach activities including Give Kids A Smile and Head Start events, where she has helped provide dental care and oral health education to underserved children.
Amini also serves as the advisor to a student organization at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry that organizes and participates in oral health fairs for underserved children, helping to engage students in service early in their training.
She has served as a delegate to the ODA House of Delegates, on the ODA Dental Education and Licensure Committee, as a subdistrict representative to the ODA, on the Medicaid Advisory Work Group and on the ODA Council on Access to Care and Public Service, among other roles.
She has served on many councils and committees with the Columbus Dental Society, including as president, as secretary, on the Membership Committee, as chair of the Award Committee and chair of the Central Office Committee.
She is also very involved with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, among many other professional organizations.
Amini has received many honors and awards, including the ADEA LIAA Award to Honor Jack Bresch (Advocacy), Ohio State University Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching, Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Lewis A. Kay Excellence in Education Award, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry – Jerome B. Miller for the Kids Award, Ohio Department of Health Quilty Award – Oral Health Champion, among others. Earlier this year, Amini received the AAPD Pediatric Dentist of the Year Award.
The Marvin Fisk Humanitarian Award is given to dentists who are working to improve the oral health of people in need, of all ages and from all walks of life. The award winners give of their time and energy overseas or closer to home, spending hours and personal resources to help fight illnesses.
