DOWNEY - Dr. Sonia Molina, who escaped war-torn El Salvador as a teenager to later graduate from Harvard University and become a successful entrepreneur, has been elected to the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) board of directors.Molina, founder and owner of Molina Endodontics in Downey, was elected to a three-year term by a vote of alumni worldwide. Results of the election were announced last Thursday during the HAA's annual meeting on the afternoon of commencement day. "I am honored and privileged to be elected to the HAA board of directors," said Molina. "Harvard has had a life-changing impact on my life and career, and I am proud to give back to the university that has given me so much." Among other issues, Molina, has committed to "working to maximize the alumni experience" for Harvard graduates, strengthen the relationship between the university community and its alumni, enhance the alumni role in campus and student life, and build stronger alumni ties to Harvard organizations and clubs. The HAA board of directors includes representatives from all schools across the university, as well as local alumni clubs and shared interest groups. Eighteen representatives are elected by Harvard degree-holders worldwide by mail-in ballot. The board meets three times during the academic year and again for the annual meeting on commencement day. Molina, who is president-elect of the Los Angeles Dental Society to be installed in October, has been active with the Latin American Dental Association, the Women's Dental Society and the Downey Dental Academy. She was appointed to the California Dental Board-COMDA, as well as a legislative representative for the California Dental Association. She has served as a clinical lecturer at the UCLA Department of Endodontics, where she received the "Faculty of the Year" award. A resident of Hancock Park, Molina hold's a bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences from Cal State Long Beach, in addition to a master's degree from the Harvard School of Public Health and a doctoral degree from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. She received a postdoctoral graduate degree in Endodontics from the UCLA School of Dentistry.

********** Published: June 2, 2011 - Volume 10 - Issue 7