Reducing Student Debt, Increasing Awareness
Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation creates $500,000 endowed scholarship
In January, the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry was awarded a $500,000 grant from the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation to create a new endowed scholarship that will provide financial support to students who practice in chronically underserved areas of the commonwealth after earning their degrees. The grant will be spread over four years. Inaugural scholarships will be awarded in 2013, and the scholarship will be fully endowed by 2015.
Dr. David C. Sarrett, dean of the VCU School of Dentistry, said dental students at VCU and across the country amass more debt than ever before to pursue their chosen profession. “Through the generosity of the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation, more students will have less of a financial burden and can choose to practice dentistry in areas that truly need dentists,” said Sarrett.
The grants awarded by the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation are the first of their kind for the organization. Funds will support programs that strive to improve oral health through education, research and access to care for the underserved. “We are proud to present our inaugural grants to an impressive list of Virginia-based organizations that are having a positive impact on oral health care and quality of life throughout our state,” said Dr. George A. Levicki (D’73), president and CEO of Delta Dental of Virginia.
The Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation was founded by Delta Dental of Virginia to help improve the oral health and, subsequently, overall health of the people of Virginia. The foundation focuses its support on initiatives that improve oral health with sustainable solutions through improved access to oral care, oral health education or oral health research.
