|The Dental School gala May 7 honored Methodist Healthcare Ministries (MHM) of South Texas for their continuing support. Shown (left to right) at the gala are MHM President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Moriarty; Dental School Dean Kenneth Kalkwarf, D.D.S., M.S.; MHM Board Chairman Roy R. Campbell III; and Health Science Center President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP.|
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More than 530 faculty, staff, students, alumni, retirees and supporters of the Dental School at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio gathered May 7 to celebrate the school’s 40th anniversary with a gala at the Marriott Plaza Hotel.
“The Dental School plays a significant role in our Health Science Center. With the support of our alumni, legislators and donors, our programs are making a tremendous impact on the quality of life for South Texans,” said President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP.National model
The Dental School is known as a national model in patient-centered clinical training. Virtually all U.S. Dental Schools have adopted this model, first developed in the 1980s, that continues to evolve today. In addition, the school is responsible for a number of scientific breakthroughs, including a recent discovery in the area of pain management which may result in the development of a new, non-addictive class of painkillers. The school also is a leader in bringing new information technologies into the dental classroom to enhance student learning.Dental School provides $6 million annually in uncompensated care
“Students receive the best dental education in the country — bar none — and our faculty provides outstanding instruction and propels scientific discovery, which is redefining patient care. And though its outreach and service, the Dental School has provided opportunities for underserved populations to receive $6 million in uncompensated care annually,” President Henrich said. Gala honors Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas Inc.
During the gala, the Dental School honored Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas Inc. for its in support of the school’s educational outreach programs in pediatric dentistry, general dentistry, prosthodontics, community dentistry and dental public health.
“Methodist Healthcare Ministries has done so much to help not only our Dental School, but our entire university,” said Dental School Dean Kenneth Kalkwarf, D.D.S., M.S. Methodist and the Dental School have collaborated for more than a decade on a number of projects, including a successful city water fluoridation campaign and a program that has provided dental screenings and preventive services, such as sealants and fluoride treatments, to more than 6,500 second-graders from the Edgewood Independent School District since 2002. School of Nursing also benefits from Methodist’s gifts
Earlier this year, Methodist gave $3.9 million to the School of Nursing to help establish three new nursing degrees and provide equipment for a “virtual hospital” to be built on campus.
|University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D., (left) and President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP, (right) presented a watercolor painting of the Dental School to Dean Kenneth Kalkwarf, D.D.S., M.S., who has led the Dental School for 22 years.|
In appreciation for Methodist’s longtime support, President Henrich and Dean Kalkwarf presented Kevin Moriarty, president and chief executive officer of Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, a framed certificate of appreciation and photos representing the spirit of collaboration and support Methodist has provided to the Dental School through the years.Gifts total more than $3.3 million
In accepting the award, Moriarty said, “To date, Methodist Healthcare Ministries has invested $3,350,000 in the Dental School. This year we provided more than $600,000 to the Ricardo Salinas Clinic, Laredo dental residency programs, the Frank Bryant Pediatric Services and the Edgewood Independent School District sealant project.
“Ensuring the least served have access to primary health care and dental services is critical in achieving our mission, and the partnership with the Dental School is essential in our doing so,” he continued. “Thank you for all the important work you do to serve those communities for whom access to dental care in unattainable, and for the pioneering work you undertake as an institution. We appreciate your partnership and look forward to the good work we will do together for our community in the years to come.” Dean Kalkwarf recognized for his leadership
President Henrich also honored Dean Kalkwarf, who has led the Dental School for 22 years. He and University of Texas System Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D, presented Dean Kalkwarf with a watercolor painting of the Dental School with a border of images representing the school’s missions of research, clinical care, education and service.
“Ken has a tremendous reputation as a researcher, periodontist and widely published author,” President Henrich said. “His character, leadership and strategic vision have been a beacon guiding the Dental School to great successes and the finest of reputations. Some of you may not realize that his leadership extends beyond the Health Science Center to the national and international levels. Last year, Dean Kalkwarf received the American Dental Association’s highest award — the Distinguished Service Award. He is recognized throughout dentistry as one who has had a significant hand in shaping the profession.”Two honored for distinguished service to the Dental School
Two former Health Science Center leaders were also recognized for distinguished service. Martha W. Wood, Ph.D., a former Health Science Center administrator who served as interim dean of the Dental School from 1981 to 1983, was honored for her passion for education and for helping students to become as successful as possible. In 1999, Dr. Wood and her husband, Herbert Pearce, established a $100,000 endowed scholarship to support outstanding dental students. In addition, Dr. Wood and her husband partnered with the Dental School Alumni Association to establish a second scholarship endowment in 2003. Together, these two scholarships have helped fund the education of more than 20 students.
Also honored was Robert B. Price, vice president emeritus and former senior advisor to the president, who retired in December 2003 after 31 years of service to the UT Health Science Center and a total of 35 years of service to the UT System. “Through the years, Bob was a great advocate for the Health Science Center, but was especially helpful to the Dental School, serving as a liaison to the UT System Board of Regents, the local hospitals, the community, and city and county governments, paving the way for many successful projects for the Dental School,” Dean Kalkwarf said.
Dental School junior class president Emily Whittington assisted with presenting the distinguished service awards and presented remarks on behalf of the students. “It has been interesting to hear about the people who have helped make the school what it is today,” she said. “We students appreciate the fact that we have great faculty and programs, as well as a dean who is a great leader. Speaking for the Dental School students, we look forward to the next 40 years which will begin as we start our senior year.”