A young African woman named Janice Darkoo has set an outstanding record at the University of Utah (U’s) in the United States after becoming the first-ever black person to earn a degree in Dentistry.
Janice Darkoo, an African immigrant from Ghana broke a record as the first black graduate of the University of Utah’s School of Dentistry since its inception 10 years ago. She said once she earned acceptance into the school, she made u her mind to make history at the university.
She stated that before she began the Dental program at the university, she already had a lot of responsibilities but she remain motivated. Janice said she had to balance so many obligations such as being a wife, mother, and also a reserve together with her studies.
Janice is also a a member of the United States Navy Reserve.“Being a Black woman from Africa, I still have to go home. Cook, clean be a wife, take care of my children. I have all of those responsibilities,” she said.
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Janice claimed that despite the difficulties, she is honored to have her name recorded in the institution’s history book as the overall first Black woman to graduate from the University of Utah’s dental school.
“This is bigger than me. This is not just about me. This is about representing my community,” she said.
After she got admitted into the University of Utah, she decided to honor the institution’s inclusion and diversity. She founded the Black and Art Dental Student Association (BDSA) where she did a project by putting together an art exhibition that showcased the creative talents of her fellow students and teachers.
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The arts were displayed strategically in an area where people could stop and check out the various art created to help people learn about her African heritage as a Ghanaian and to celebrate other cultures and talents represented at the school.
A professor of Dentistry at the university, Dr. Watts described Janice as a remarkable person adding that her art display program also impressed him.
“We work with students on hand skills. Learning how to work on teeth, be good providers. And we forget that translates into other types of visual art as well,” Dr. Watts said.
While at the university, Janice was also awarded the Minijean Brown Award of Virtue during the Black Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony. The award is given to students in the university who have helped to build and broadcast the University of Utah in a positive light.
“Words cannot describe how grateful and honored I am that the University of Utah campus appreciates all of the hard work and positivity that I bring to the School,” Janice said.
“I am so proud of everyone my parents, children, friends, faculty and staff, colleagues, the U.S. Navy, the Black Cultural Center, and the Eccles Library who contributed to making this award come to fruition,” she added.
Janice stated that she hope the award will inspire young people with a background like hers to aim higher, prove others wrong, and achieve anything they want if they believe in their dreams and put in the work and effort.
She also served as the secretary for the Utah Student American Dental Association (ASDA) club, the vice president of the Personal Development of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) club, and a writer for the ASDA Contour Magazine.
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