SIU SDM Hosts Inaugural Students and Alumni Brunch

On Saturday, March 7, SIU School of Dental Medicine hosted SIU SDM March Mimosas Brunch 2026 to introduce current students to members of the SIU SDM Alumni Association. The inaugural event brought together practitioners at all levels over chicken & waffles, fresh fruit and champagne.

The scene was set for a welcome break from classes and plenty of networking.

"The SIU SDM March Mimosas Brunch 2026 was a great opportunity for reconnecting as well as networking, while enjoying great food and celebrating our shared commitment to the dental profession," said Michelle P. Kleinheider, DMD, '97, member of the SIU SDM Alumni Council, and mother of D3 student Josh Kleinheider. "These events reinforce the importance of collaboration and continued learning in dentistry, especially through building valuable relationships between experienced dentists and our next generation of practitioners.

PHOTO: Kathie Renner, DMD, Robert Johnson, DMD and Michelle P. Kleinheider, DmD, all members of the SIU SDM Class of 1997; Alumni share a toast with SIU SDM Saulius Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD