A Bequest to Benefit Dentistry’s Future Needs 

As Gary Iskol, D.D.S., made his way through college decades ago at the City University of New York, he started to doubt his career choices.    

Armed with geology and psychology degrees, he could have easily landed a job on the frigid Alaska pipeline, he recalls thinking back then. That became less and less appealing as he neared graduation. He could work as a school or clinical psychologist, but that, too, left him feeling like he missed his calling.   

VCU gave me the foundation to have a great, successful career. 

Gary Iskol, D.D.S.

When a relative who happened to be a dentist offered him shadowing opportunities in a dental office, Dr. Iskol took them — and felt an instant connection. He applied to a number of dental schools, including the VCU School of Dentistry, based purely on hearing about the school from his relative and others in the dental community.    

“The school had a really good reputation,” said Dr. Iskol, though being an out-of-state student, he knew odds were small that he would get in.   

Luck, however, was on his side.   

Dr. Iskol graduated in 1980, and except for a few years in Florida, he ran an Atlanta-based general dentistry practice for decades. Today, he is semi-retired. 

He is not ready to stop working, he said with a smile, because the spark that ignited in him all those years ago remains. He credits the VCU School of Dentistry with preparing him for a successful career that was fulfilling from a professional standpoint and because of the close relationships formed over generations.     

“I don’t know if I ever want to completely stop working,” Dr. Iskol said. “I still have a lot of patients I’ve known for 30 years or more, and it’s a joy to visit with them every six months.”  

It’s this deep sense of gratitude that prompted him to think about the VCU School of Dentistry in his financial plans. Dr. Iskol has made arrangements through his will for an unrestricted bequest that will benefit the School of Dentistry.  

“VCU gave me the foundation to have a great, successful career,” Dr. Iskol said. “Without my dental education, I don’t know where I would be.”  

While Dr. Iskol is leaving the decision to the school’s leadership about how his gift is best used, he feels strongly about helping students who are equally as passionate as he was about dentistry, but who may face financial need.   

“I know how expensive education is now, and any help to students would be greatly appreciated and needed,” he said. “I feel very fortunate and very blessed that I received such a great education, which allowed me to establish a successful practice.”   

If you have already included a gift in your estate and not previously told us or would like to explore your options with a planned giving professional, contact Jason Chestnutt, CFP®, executive director of planned giving, MCV Campus, at 804-828-1671 or chestnuttjr@vcu.edu.