 Milton Hershey School (MHS) has named dermatologist Mary Trinh Pentel '86, of Jacksonville, Florida, as the 2009 Alumna of the Year. This year marks the 55th anniversary of the award, and Pentel holds the distinction of being the first female graduate to earn this honor.
Recipients of this award have demonstrated humanitarianism and exemplary service to others, achieved distinguished service in their careers, and exhibited high standards of achievements both personally and professionally. The Alumnus/Alumna of the Year serves as a role model for MHS students and an example of achievement to which they can aspire.
Pentel lived in Harrisburg until her mother died, and her father enrolled Mary and her three younger sisters, Agnes, Maria, and Ann, and one younger brother, Peter, at Milton Hershey School in 1981. Pentel entered MHS in eighth grade as Mary Thuy Thu Trinh.
Pentel participated in many activities, including cheerleading, chorus, track, and student government. She was student body president, editor-in-chief of the yearbook, president of the National Honor Society, and a member of the Student Leadership Society. She graduated as valedictorian of her class.
After leaving MHS, Pentel attended The Pennsylvania State University. She graduated as a University Scholar with a major in biology. Pentel went to medical school at The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in Hershey so that she could be close to her family.
She was class president during all four years of medical school and graduated with distinction as a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, an honor granted to the top members of a medical school class. In 1995, she completed an internship at the Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia and finished her dermatology residency at Brown University where she served as chief resident.
After residency, she worked in a large group practice for two years. She started her own practice, Southside Dermatology, in 2000. Pentel practices general, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology. She is an active staff member at her local hospital, a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and a member of the Jacksonville Dermatological Society.
Outside of her career, she enjoys helping others and serves as a mentor to young girls who are interested in medicine. Pentel is a member of several boards, including the Jacksonville Country Day School, the Jacksonville Asian American Alliance, and the Jacksonville Mayor's Asian American Advisory Board.
She has been married for 17 years to her college sweetheart, David S. Pentel. They have two daughters, Alexandra, 12, and Jessica, 9. |
