Meet Dr. Tomlinson
Dr. Ranya Tomlinson was born and raised in Valdosta, GA. She is an honor graduate of Lowndes High School (class of 2002). As a high school senior, she participated in the dual enrollment program. She graduated from Wiregrass Technical College (formerly Valdosta Technical College) in 2003 with a diploma in Cosmetology. In 2005, she returned to Wiregrass Technical College to pursue a diploma in Dental Assisting. During her time in the program, she met Dr. Clements and interned with him for several months. She eventually met Dr. Ronald K. Reagin, Jr. where she finished her clinical expectations and ultimately gained employment as a full time dental assistant. She received her Dental Assisting diploma in 2006 along with the Outstanding Clinician Award and the Academic Achievement award.
Dr. Tomlinson worked alongside Dr. Reagin from 2006-2015 as a certified dental assistant. In 2008, she enrolled in the South Georgia College entry program to begin her undergraduate studies in hopes of one day attending dental school. Dr. Tomlinson graduated from Valdosta State University in 2014 Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a minor in Mathematics. As a Valdosta State Blazer, she participated in many campus activities including becoming president of the pre-dental club her senior year, member of Tri-Beta honor society, and the American Chemical Society. She volunteered with several organizations throughout the community to include Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life, Dentistry from the Heart 2014, and GMOM (Georgia Mission of Mercy) 2013 and 2015. She was inducted into the Golden Key National Honor Society and the Pi Mu Epsilon Mathematics honor society.
Dr. Tomlinson continued to work with Dr. Reagin throughout her undergraduate studies and during the process of applying to dental school. In August 2015, she began dental school at the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University and graduated in May 2019. As a dental student, she was very active on campus. She served as a member of the admissions committee from 2016-2019, class officer for the Student Professional and Ethics Association (SPEA) 2018, student member in Dentists for Della and ASDA, volunteered throughout the community including Habitat for Humanity, Augusta University’s Day of Service, GMOM 2018, and was a mentor in the mentor-mentee program for three years. She is a recipient of the Hinman Scholarship (2016), Lettie P. Whitehead Scholarship (2018), Dr. Jane Puskas Scholarship (2018), and the Southwest District Dental Scholarship (2018). At the senior awards ceremony, the dean Dr. Carol Lefebvre presented her with the International College of Dentists Humanitarian award. She also received the Dental Lifeline Network Outstanding Student Award and was inducted into the Alpha Upsilon Phi honor society for leadership, service, and collegiality.
Ranya married her husband Jabie in October 2007 and they have one son, Kaidin (age 9). Dr. Tomlinson enjoys traveling with her family to the beach and the mountains. She loves to spend time outdoors with her family doing various activities such as kayaking, bicycling, fishing, and swimming. In her spare time, she loves to read and is a huge fan of James Patterson and Gillian Flynn.