Dr. Jessica Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation), the first female American Indian dentist in the United States, has been presented with the Michigan Dental Association (MDA) Public Relations Award by MDA President Dr. Todd Christy, who commended her national reputation and lifelong dedication to uplifting underserved communities. "Dr. Jessica Rickert is a name well-known not just to Michigan dentists, but across the nation," said Dr. Christy. “She has become a tireless advocate for improved dental care and for encouraging dental careers among American Indian populations.”