Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation grant to empower School of Dentistry scholarship giving
Header image: from left to right: Stephanie Albert, president, Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation; Michael Zakula, DDS; Dean Keith Mays, DDS, MS, PhD; Kathy Schmidlkofer, president & CEO, University of Minnesota Foundation
A new grant from the Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation will empower the School of Dentistry in its mission to recruit and retain the best and brightest future oral health professionals while fulfilling a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry holds diversity as the core of its mission to advance health through scientific discovery, innovative education and the highest-quality care for all communities. The school is committed to recruiting, retaining and graduating excellent students from underrepresented communities, ensuring adequate representation in the dental profession.
The new Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation Advancing Diversity In Dentistry Scholarship supports this goal. Two scholarships will be awarded in each of the next three years, beginning in fall 2023. The generous scholarship will cover full tuition, room and board and other academic expenses.
The scholarship supports prospective learners who are dedicated to growth and leadership, are committed to their community, education and family, maintain good academic standings and have a passion for dentistry. Preference will be given to underrepresented and diverse populations. The scholarship will educate future dentists who may return to practice in underserved communities, increasing access to oral health care in vulnerable populations.
“The School of Dentistry is passionate about providing scholarship support for our students, and this gift from Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, gives us the ability to do so,” said Dean Keith Mays, DDS, MS, PhD. “It also helps deliver on our core values, by supporting diversity and inclusivity.”
“This scholarship program is an important step in educating the next generation of dental professionals and supporting underrepresented and diverse communities,” said Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, Chief Executive Officer, Rod Young.
About Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation
Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation supports optimal oral and overall health outcomes while advancing social equities by expanding access to dental care and investing in the communities across Minnesota.
About the School of Dentistry
The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry advances health through scientific discovery, innovative education and the highest-quality care for all communities. As the state's only dental school, the School of Dentistry educates the next generation of oral health professionals and is a resource to five states for dental education and consultation. Of Minnesota’s practicing dentists, 72 percent are graduates of the dental school. Through its clinics, the School of Dentistry also sees more than 156,000 patient visits each year.