Sunday, July 26, 2009

US: Teen helps treat over 2 lakh patients in India: Rediff.com news

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    • In the last five years, Pratyusha Yalamanchi, 18, has helped provide treatment to more than 290,000 dental patients in Andhra Pradesh.

      A high school graduate from the International Academy in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, she founded Dental HygIndia, partnering with Dr Kadiyala Rajendra, a dentist in Andhra Pradesh, at the age of 13, after she saw the sorry state of dental hygiene among villagers in India during a trip.

    • Pratyusha, her award programme profile noted, 'has a passion for making a difference locally and globally.' She is also 'an exceptional student and leader; receiving a perfect score on her Scholastic Aptitude Test, maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, and serving as her senior class' co-president.'

      Pratyusha did not win the award. "Another very deserving teen was selected," she said.

    • She also teaches SAT prep courses and the money she earns goes to Dental HygIndia (www.dentalhygindia.org).
    • She was accepted to many universities, and has decided on Harvard.