Coordinated Care and Partners Launch Scholarship for Future Dentists in Washington

On June 10, 2026, Coordinated Care, Sea Mar Community Health Centers, and the University of Washington Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity announced a valuable new initiative aimed at increasing representation in the dental workforce. The inaugural recipient of the Sea Mar Community Health Centers-Coordinated Care scholarship, Diyanah Tribble, embodies the mission of this program. This scholarship is specifically designed to support students of color who aspire to pursue careers in dentistry to improve access to representative oral care across Washington State, addressing long-standing disparities in health care access.

This scholarship program is notably backed by a substantial endowment of $100,000 from Coordinated Care and Sea Mar, which will continue to expand educational opportunities through the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). This investment is not just a financial contribution; it signifies a commitment to respond to the shortage of healthcare providers and the need for a more diverse workforce in Washington's dental sector.

Diyanah Tribble, a first-generation college student currently studying molecular, cellular, and developmental biology at the University of Washington, is the first awardee of this scholarship. Her aspirations to become a pediatric dentist stem from her passion for providing culturally responsive care to underserved families in her community. Diyanah's leadership qualities shine through her active involvement in campus organizations, including Sigma Psi Zeta and Delta Epsilon Mu, demonstrating her dedication to community engagement.

In a recent statement, Beth Johnson, President and CEO of Coordinated Care, emphasized the importance of training diverse healthcare professionals.