Ashwini Ranade wins inaugural Shenkin Research Fund Award

Ranade was honored for her pioneering research on improving Medicaid children's access to preventive dental care in Massachusetts.

Dr. Ashwini Ranade (R), clinical associate professor of health policy and health services research, and Todd Shenkin meeting in-person for the first time. / Photo credit: Dan Bomba/ GSDM

Boston University’s Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) has named Indian-origin public health expert Ashwini Ranade as the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Jonathan D. Shenkin Research Fund Award.

The fund supports groundbreaking research in health policy, health services, and pediatric dentistry. Ranade’s research, which intersects all three focus areas, was selected as the first to be supported under this prestigious award.

Also read: Dr. Nalanda Roy wins Noam Chomsky research award

Ranade, a clinical associate professor of health policy and health services research, investigates the relationship between dental provider accessibility and the use of preventive dental services among children enrolled in Medicaid in Massachusetts.

By focusing on Medicaid enrollees, the study removes dental insurance as a variable and aims to uncover other underlying disparities in access to care. “Access to care is a complex issue. It’s not just about insurance. It’s not just about your providers. It’s not just about patient characteristics. It’s everything coming together that drives these disparities,” she said.

The project, which began in January 2025 and will conclude in May 2026, is supported by a multidisciplinary team including Dr. Anas Olwi, Dr. Huimin Cheng from BU School of Public Health, Dr. Mary Tavares, and Dr. Mauro Abreu of GSDM.

“This is exactly the type of research my brother would’ve championed or been actively involved in,” Todd Shenkin, who established the award in memory of his brother, the late Dr. Jonathan D. Shenkin, renowned GSDM clinical professor and national leader in pediatric dentistry and health policy, said.

“He most certainly would’ve played a role in this type of research if he was still alive,” Todd added. Established in 2023, the fund supports faculty, students, and residents at GSDM by advancing innovative, impact-driven studies that carry forward Dr. Shenkin’s lifelong commitment to equity in oral healthcare and evidence-based policy reform.

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