Awards
The MDA regularly honors members of the dental profession who have given back to their communities and their profession in ways that are exemplary. Each year the MDA recognizes members for their commitment to the field of dentistry and to the association, based on nominations made by the district dental societies. View this handout for further information, eligibility and entry guideline requirements.
2026 MDA Honorees
Mark & Joey Omlie D.D.S. – Guests of Honor
Janae Momchilovich, D.D.S. – New Dentist Leadership Award
Michael Zakula, D.D.S. – Humanitarian Service Award
Jim Nickman, D.D.S. – Outstanding Service Award
Timothy Langguth, D.D.S. – President’s Award (2025)
Mark & Joey Omlie, D.D.S.
2026 MDA Guests of Honor
The Minnesota Dental Association is proud to announce that Drs. Mark and Jo Ann (“Joey”) Omlie have been selected as the Minnesota Dental Association’s 2026 Guests of Honor. This distinguished recognition celebrates their decades of leadership, service, and lasting contributions to the dental profession and the greater Minnesota community.
Dr. Mark Omlie has built an extraordinary career in oral and maxillofacial surgery. He earned his Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Dentistry, and Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Minnesota, followed by a Doctor of Medicine degree and completion of his residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. For more than 40 years, he has practiced with Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical Consultants, earning respect for both his clinical excellence and compassionate care. He is a past president of the MDDS.
In addition to his practice, Dr. Omlie has demonstrated a deep commitment to education. Since 2005, he has served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, mentoring future oral surgeons and supporting key academic initiatives. His contributions include advising student research efforts, participating in mock board exams, assisting with resident interviews, and serving on advisory committees, including the Dean Search Committee.
Dr. Joey Omlie has similarly distinguished herself through her professional achievements and service. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, her Graduate Dental Hygienist, Degree, and her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Minnesota. Since 1985, she has worked in a private dental practice, followed by working as a supervising dentist at the Normandale Dental Hygiene program, while actively contributing to organized dentistry and alumni engagement.
Her leadership includes a long-standing service on the School of Dentistry Alumni Society Board, where she has supported continuing education and alumni initiatives. She has also represented the School of Dentistry on the University of Minnesota Alumni National Board where she served on its Awards Committee and as a strategic planning participant. She served on two dean search committees, and on an advisory committee convened to support the school’s preparation for accreditation review for the Dental School. She has also served as an MDA delegate on numerous occasions.
Together, Drs. Mark and Joey Omlie exemplify a shared commitment to advancing the dental profession, mentoring future leaders, and strengthening their alma mater. As life members of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, they have generously given their time, expertise, and resources to support education and community engagement. In 2016, they received the University of Minnesota’s Distinguished Alumni Service Award.
Their selection as the Minnesota Dental Association’s 2026 Guests of Honor recognizes not only their individual accomplishments, but also their enduring impact as partners in service. The MDA congratulates Drs. Mark and Joey Omlie on this well-deserved honor.
Janae Momchilovich, D.D.S.
2026 New Dentist Leadership Award
It is with great honor that we announce Dr. Janae Momchilovich as the recipient of the 2026 New Dentist Leadership Award, recognizing her outstanding leadership, advocacy, clinical excellence, and commitment to community service in dentistry.
A native of Stillwater, Minnesota, Dr. Momchilovich began her academic journey at Marquette University, where she earned both her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Doctor of Dental Surgery through the Pre-Dental Scholars Program. She further advanced her clinical training through a general practice residency at the North Texas Veterans Affairs Health Care System in Dallas, Texas. There, she developed expertise in special needs dentistry, hospital-based care, sedation, implant placement, and complex restorative procedures.
In 2023, Dr. Momchilovich returned to the Twin Cities to serve her home community. She currently practices at Hauge Dental Care in Osceola, Wisconsin, and Lake Area Dental in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Her dedication to lifelong learning is evident through her participation in the Minnesota Dental Association Leadership Academy (2024–2025).
Dr. Momchilovich is also a passionate advocate for the dental profession. During her time with the American Student Dental Association, she served as Legislative Coordinator for Districts 6 and 7 and as Legislative Liaison for Marquette University. In these roles, she mentored student leaders nationwide, co-developed the widely used “Midlevel Provider Talking Points,” and contributed as a presenter for the national “Advocacy 101” webinar. She also led advocacy initiatives, organized voter registration efforts, and helped facilitate discussions on healthcare policy with U.S. Representative Gwen Moore. Her contributions earned her the ASDA Outstanding Advocacy Award in 2020, and her work has been published in ASDA Contour and the Wisconsin Dental Association Journal. Dr. Momchilovich currently serves on the Saint Paul District Dental Society’s executive council.
Beyond her professional and advocacy achievements, Dr. Momchilovich is deeply committed to service. She has volunteered at Mission of Mercy events across Minnesota and Wisconsin, most recently serving as Supply Lead for the Minnesota Mission of Mercy in June 2024, helping coordinate a large-scale clinic providing free care to underserved populations. She has also supported Special Olympics athletes and tutored first-generation, low-income students through Marquette University’s Educational Opportunity Program.
Her honors include the ASDA Outstanding Advocacy Award (2020), the Dr. Calvin Gander Dental Fund Scholarship, and the Marquette University College of Arts and Sciences Gold Medal Award. Dr. Momchilovich’s career reflects a steadfast commitment to advancing dentistry, serving her community, and expanding access to care.
Please join us in extending our sincere congratulations to Dr. Momchilovich on this well-deserved recognition, honoring her exemplary leadership, unwavering dedication to the profession, and meaningful contributions to improving oral health and access to care within her community and beyond.
Michael Zakula, D.D.S.
2026 Humanitarian Service Award
It is truly an honor to introduce this year’s recipient of the Minnesota Dental Association’s 2026 Humanitarian Service Award, Dr. Michael Zakula — or as so many across Minnesota know him, Dr. Zak, or simply Zak.
For more than four decades, Dr. Zak has exemplified what it means to lead with skill, vision, and compassion. After completing dental school, serving our country in the United States Army, and finishing his orthodontic residency, he went on to build a highly successful orthodontic practice in Hibbing, where he cared for patients and families for 35 years.
But Dr. Zak’s legacy extends far beyond his practice.
He has dedicated his career to improving access to dental care for underserved and rural communities across Minnesota. His leadership helped create transformative loan repayment and scholarship programs that continue to bring dentists into high-need communities throughout our state. Most notably, he was the driving force behind securing more than 7 million dollars in scholarship funding for the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, ensuring that future generations of dental professionals can continue this important work.
A mentor, advocate, and visionary, Dr. Zak has also devoted countless years to supporting dental education and workforce development, including service on the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Admissions Committee and, most recently, serving as the keynote speaker for the School of Dentistry’s 2024 commencement.
His term as President of the Minnesota Dental Association further highlighted his remarkable ability to lead through complex challenges, as he guided the MDA through critical issues, including the important selection of a new executive director, with wisdom, steadiness, and strategic vision.
Just as importantly, his humanitarian spirit has been felt directly by countless patients and families. For more than 28 years, Dr. Zak served as a volunteer orthodontic consultant for the cleft palate clinic, generously providing pro bono orthodontic care for many of the clinic’s patients. Through this work, he did far more than straighten teeth — he restored confidence, improved lives, and gave hope to children and families facing extraordinary challenges.
His extraordinary contributions have been recognized many times over, including Fellowship in the American College of Dentists, the University of Minnesota Alumni Service Award, Distinguished Dental Alumnus Award, and the Minnesota Rural Health Lifetime Achievement Award, among many others.
Yet what truly sets Dr. Zak apart is his unwavering commitment to service — from humanitarian efforts such as Minnesota Mission of Mercy and Smiles Change Lives, to his tireless advocacy for rural oral health access across Minnesota.
Tonight, we honor not only an accomplished orthodontist and leader, but a humanitarian whose work has changed lives, strengthened communities, and elevated our profession.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Michael “Zak” Zakula as the MDA 2026 Humanitarian Service Award recipient.
Jim Nickman, D.D.S.
2026 Outstanding Service Award
The Minnesota Dental Association is proud to announce the selection of Dr. Jim Nickman as the 2026 recipient of their Outstanding Service Award. This prestigious honor recognizes Dr. Nickman’s extraordinary dedication, leadership, and lifelong service to the dental profession and the communities it serves.
Dr. Nickman’s career has been defined by an unwavering commitment to advancing dental health, education, and advocacy at both the state and national levels. His leadership within organized dentistry has been exemplary. He served as President of the Minneapolis District Dental Society from 2008 to 2009 and later as President of the Minnesota Dental Association. In these roles, he strengthened professional engagement, supported innovation in patient care, and championed initiatives that continue to benefit both practitioners and patients.
Nationally, Dr. Nickman has made a profound impact through his service as a delegate to the American Dental Association and as President of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. His leadership in pediatric dentistry has helped shape the standard of care for children across the country, improving access to quality dental services and inspiring future generations of dental professionals.
Dr. Nickman’s commitment to advocacy remains a cornerstone of his service. As Chair of the MDA’s Legislative Affairs Committee, he has played a pivotal role in advancing policies that improve access to dental care and protect the integrity of the profession. His thoughtful leadership and persistence have strengthened the dental community’s voice in legislative matters, benefiting patients and providers throughout Minnesota.
In addition to his professional leadership, Dr. Nickman has demonstrated deep compassion through his community service. As the pediatric lead for the Minnesota Mission of Mercy, he has worked tirelessly to provide essential dental care to underserved populations. His efforts have ensured that vulnerable individuals and families receive the care they need, reflecting his enduring commitment to service and equity in healthcare.
The MDA celebrates Dr. Nickman’s well-deserved recognition as the 2026 Outstanding Service Award honoree. His remarkable contributions, leadership, and dedication have left a lasting legacy on the profession and have improved the lives of countless individuals.
Timothy Langguth, D.D.S.
2025 President’s Award
The Minnesota Dental Association proudly announces Dr. Timothy R. Langguth as the recipient of the 2025 President’s Award, chosen by MDA Immediate Past President Dr. Alejandro Aguirre. This distinguished honor recognizes an individual whose career reflects exceptional service, leadership, and dedication to the profession of dentistry and the communities it serves.
Dr. Langguth exemplifies a rare commitment that extends beyond professional obligation. With more than five decades of service to patient care, education, and organized dentistry, he embodies the highest ideals of the profession. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1973, following undergraduate studies at the University of Minnesota–Duluth. He completed a General Dentistry Internship at Northwestern University’s Evanston Hospital and pursued additional training in cosmetic dentistry, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to professional growth.
From 1974 through 2025, Dr. Langguth maintained his private practice in Duluth, earning a reputation for clinical excellence and compassionate care. He also served as a TMD Clinic Dentist at St. Mary’s Hospital and, since 1999, as Supervising dentist at the Lake Superior College Dental Hygiene Clinic, where he mentored students and expanded access to care.
A continuous member of the American Dental Association and the Minnesota Dental Association since 1973, Dr. Langguth has provided more than fifty years of leadership. His roles have included president of the Minnesota Dental Association, president of the Northeastern District Dental Society, and delegate to the American Dental Association. Internationally, he has served in multiple leadership positions within the International College of Dentists (ICD) and currently serves as President of ICD USA.
Dr. Langguth’s service extends beyond dentistry. He has held leadership roles with the Duluth Family YMCA, the Heritage Foundation, and the Greater Downtown Council, and has remained active in church mentorship and community outreach. He has also contributed to charitable initiatives such as the Minnesota and Iowa Missions of Mercy and helped establish the Lake Superior College Dental Hygiene Clinic.
Dr. Langguth’s career reflects integrity, humility, and enduring service. His contributions have strengthened the profession and inspired future generations. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Timothy Langguth as the 2025 President’s Award recipient.