Dr. Amarilis Jacobo, NYSDA President  

In 1986, Dr. Amarilis Jacobo returned to her home country with pride and became a graduate student from La Universidad Central del Este School of Dentistry. After her graduation, she returned to the United States to further her education by receiving her DDS from New York University School of Dentistry. With a degree and a love for her local community, Dr. Jacobo opened her first private practice in Harlem. Five years later, Dr. Jacobo also opened her second private practice in the Bronx. Today, Dr. Jacobo continues practicing after 29 years, providing service at both locations. 

For the last 30 years, Amarilis has been involved in organized dentistry, beginning as one of the founders of the Dominican Dental Association in 1993. Around this time, she joins Bronx Dental Society, where she has held many leadership positions. Later, she joins Bronx Dental Society and held many leadership positions. As a representative of Bronx County, Amarilis has been appointed, under the New York State Dental Association, to be a member of the House of Delegates, the Ethics Committee, the Empire Dental Political Action Committee, and the Medicaid Reference Committee. At present time, Amarilis has the honor of being a part of the board of trustees for this association. Her leadership has also extended nationally. She has been a Delegate/Alternate to the ADA House of Delegates. In 2016, she was the president of the National Hispanic Dental Association. Last, but certainly not least, she is a member of the American College of Dentist, International College of Dentist, and Alumni of the Institute for Diversity in Leadership. 

Amarilis serves as a member to multiple boards: Trustee of SBH Health System, board member for Hostos Community College Foundation, a board member for Doctor Nasry Michelen Foundation, board member for the Hispanic Dental Association-New York Chapter, a board member for SOMOS, Inc., a member of the advisory board for Columbia’s School of Dental Medicine, and a member of the advisory board for el Colegio Dominicano de Odontólogos in the Dominican Republic. Due to her long history of involvement and contribution in organized dentistry and politics, the New York State appointed Amarilis as an advisor to the New York Forward Re-Opening Advisory Board during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Her pride and joy is being able to open La Clínica Astin Jacobo, a free dental clinic she named after her father. Opening in 2017, this clinic is in the Dominican Republic at a public school also named after her father, the Astin Jacobo Middle School. The clinic’s mission is to have a school campus free of cavities. 

In addition, Amarilis has a vision for creating a path into the health profession for the youth. To support that vision, Amarilis opens both of her practices for students to shadow her. Since 2016, Amarilis has also given Bronx students the Dr. Amarilis Jacobo Scholarship Award for the Health Careers. For the last five years, this award has been given to the students at the Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice. 

Lastly, if you know Amarilis Jacobo, you know she loves 3 things. La familia, dancing, and travelling.