Investing in Excellence
Opening new pathways It started with an idea: can we enhance oral health care access for Minnesotans by recruiting and retaining excellent minds at the School of Dentistry?
That was the inspiration for a series of discussions between Naty Lopez, PhD, MEd, then-Assistant Dean for Admissions and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Emily Best, Chief Development Officer, and the Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation.
“We knew that one way to improve oral and overall health outcomes was to increase practitioners who have lived experiences similar to those who experience challenges finding care,” explained Best. “One clear way to influence who the practitioners are is to offer competitive scholarships for Minnesota students.”
These students have long been of interest to the School of Dentistry, and are heavily recruited. “Some of our most competitive applicants from Minnesota have a number of compelling offers from private and public universities,” said Susie Wold, MS, assistant director of admissions.
The solution was the Advancing Diversity in Dentistry Scholarship, which would fully fund the cost of attendance for two dental students each in the incoming DDS cohorts beginning in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
“Our partnership with the University is a critical step in expanding access to compassionate and culturally supportive oral health care in Minnesota,” emphasized Stephanie Albert, president of Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation.
“This is a transformative scholarship, not just for the student, but for their family,” added Wold. “It covers the full cost of attendance, allowing the student to focus fully on school without committing them to a specific post-graduation path, like some other scholarships do.”
But the scholarship isn’t simply a gift; it is a way of making oral health care better for Minnesota.
“In the health sciences, you’re asking members of the public to put trust in you, as an individual, with their health. To not see broad representation in those professions creates a barrier for people who are underrepresented, and for young people who don’t see themselves in the profession,” Jardine said. “This scholarship helps us create a culture of broad representation and inclusion, so that patients find a sense of belonging and comfort—an essential component of proper health care delivery.”
The scholarship functions to recruit excellent oral health professionals from Minnesota to the School of Dentistry, while also opening doors for their future.
“The average dental school debt for a University of Minnesota student is estimated at $250,000,” said Best. “By offering total cost of attendance scholarships, Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation has removed the burden of this debt, freeing them to consider practice opportunities wherever they choose—hopefully in a community that will benefit from their lived experiences.”
So far, the school has awarded four of the six available scholarships.
Immediate and lasting impact
Get to know the learners whose big dreams, hard work and dedication landed them among the first to receive the Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation scholarships.
A path to service
Elvis Idrovo Mejia, DDS ’27, understands the value of hard work more than most.
Though he was born and raised in Minneapolis, Idrovo’s parents immigrated to the United States from Ecuador, hoping for a better future for their children. Idrovo’s parents did not have the opportunity to complete high school or pursue additional education, but had a dream for their children—one they worked hard to fulfill.
“My childhood was unique, but I cherish the lessons I gained from all the hard times and obstacles,” he reflected. Idrovo witnessed his parents working long hours at multiple jobs at a time, joining them during summers and school breaks as young as age thirteen.
“As we worked together, my mother often emphasized the importance of education, telling me, ‘you have two options: join us in these types of jobs or stay in school and become a professional,’” he recalled. “Her words stuck with me.”
Idrovo knew he would work hard to gain an education, but it wasn’t until a visit to Ecuador at age fifteen that he began to see healthcare as his calling. “I saw firsthand the lack of viable drinking water and health care in our village, which initially sparked my interest in health care,” he said. This passion grew—and Idrovo was inspired by his cousin, who was studying to become a dentist.
“I was fascinated by her molds, drawings and notes on the walls,” he recalled. Unfortunately, and despite her passion, Idrovo’s cousin was unable to complete her degree due to financial restraints. “Witnessing this first-hand fueled my determination to pursue dentistry, not just for myself but for those who lack similar opportunities,” he said. “I aim to serve as a symbol of hope for my community and those who may share a similar story. Less than 10% of practicing dentists are Hispanic, but I am living proof that through hard work and dedication anything is possible.”
After studying chemistry at the University of St. Thomas, “supported by scholarships and my parents’ unwavering belief in me,” Idrovo became the first in his family to complete high school and college and set his sights on the School of Dentistry.
Idrovo was drawn to the University of Minnesota for its “special attention to education, patient care and clinical experiences,” as well as its proximity to family, including his younger brother who is still in high school. “Before I even got accepted, I witnessed the welcoming atmosphere, strong sense of community and commitment to inclusion and diversity,” he said.
From the jump, Idrovo knew the financial strain of dental school would be a major challenge—the debt would be crushing, and he’d likely have to work throughout his school career to stay afloat. But it would be worth it to achieve his dreams. “My desire to give back to the communities that need it was greater than the fear I was experiencing,” he said.
So when Idrovo discovered that he was one of the first two students to receive the Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation scholarship, he was “in utter disbelief.”
“Receiving the scholarship further proved that I was seen and appreciated for my efforts here,” he recalled. “I do not have the words to express the emotions I felt. I felt extreme gratitude and happiness. All I could do was cry and say, ‘thank you.’”
Idrovo was indeed seen and appreciated by the DDS Admissions subcommittee. “Elvis has had to overcome many difficulties in his life to even get to the spot of applying to dental school,” reflected one subcommittee member. “Many of us will never know what it is like to grow up in a family that struggles to put food on the table, or had to move from one country to the next in search of a stable place to live; yet he has managed to do so, and not only get by, but has managed to thrive. He has been able to work jobs to support his family, succeeded in completing rigorous undergraduate work, and shown a commitment to serving the underserved communities he comes from upon graduation from dental school and the University of Minnesota.”
With the first year of dental school under his belt, Idrovo is more sure of his decision than ever. “This has been the most challenging year of my academic career, and yet also the most rewarding,” he said. Failures and successes inspired him to grow, and he can’t wait to see his first patient soon.
The scholarship has opened doors to Idrovo already, allowing him to study hard and to serve his community—a core part of who Idrovo has always been.
“It’s a liberating feeling to walk into school every day without having to worry about how I was going to pay my rent or groceries for the month,” he reflected, “but the impact of this scholarship goes beyond financial relief. It has opened doors to new opportunities that I might not have otherwise considered.” Those opportunities include volunteering with Special Olympics, Mini Dental School, American Indian OIC and more. “Volunteering and participating in outreach programs will be a significant part of my journey,” he said. “I am determined to use my education to make a positive impact, especially for those who lack access to care.”
Idrovo’s focus on giving back provides a roadmap for what is to come. “I came into dental school with the hope of increasing access to care and making it more accessible,” he said. In Idrovo’s case, that looks like returning communities in need, working in a community dental clinic and eventually starting his own practice focused on Hispanic families and recently immigrated individuals. He has dreams of returning to his home country of Ecuador, but knows that wherever he ends up, he will make a difference.
“Receiving this scholarship allows me to start thinking about how I want to serve, because I am fortunate enough to not have debt clouding my vision,” he said. “I am able to start thinking about how I can pay it forward, and how to plan accordingly.”
The weight of responsibility to his community, to be an example and a model, is not lost on Idrovo. In fact, it informs everything he does. And fortified by these funds, he is ready to bear that weight proudly.
“Sometimes, all someone needs is somebody to believe in them, just like the Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation believed in me. Through this scholarship, I have developed an even stronger devotion to helping minority students like me get into higher education programs,” he said. “I cannot wait until I am able to pass it forward and make a difference in the communities that need it the most. As I start my second year in dental school, I reflect on the great impact this scholarship has had on my life and my family. I will continue to work hard and push myself to new limits.”
Dedication driving passion
A first-year scholarship recipient first recognized dentistry might be the path for her in elementary school, “when I noticed that not everyone shared my enthusiasm for dental visits.”
“I vividly recall a class discussion where some classmates expressed their dislike for dental visits, while I couldn’t understand why anyone wouldn’t enjoy the rare time away from school,” she said. “Getting my teeth cleaned, the free toothbrush and the welcoming environment of the dental office always made it a positive experience for me.”
The last-born child in her family and the only one born in the United States, this student’s family did not have the experience to guide her educational journey—but their encouragement and support, along with the help of great mentors, allowed her to take her dreams seriously.
When she set foot on campus for her interview date with the School of Dentistry, this student knew it would be home. “A major factor for me was the community and environment of the school I’d attend,” she said. “Through-out the day, everyone I met embodied what I hoped to find in a dental school.”
That community only grew once she was accepted, with messages of support coming from residents and faculty. “They have given me a glimpse of the support I can expect at the school, solidifying my decision to commit.”
Even more reaffirming was the knowledge that she had received a Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation Scholarship. “It was the most surreal feeling in the world, receiving the scholarship,” she said. “I’ve worked hard to get to this point in my journey to dental school. Despite the unease I felt thinking about the cost of attendance, nothing could change my mind. Being offered this scholarship was the biggest sign that I made the right choice to continue pushing forward, to go to dental school and become a dentist. I am so grateful that the Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation saw in me what I always knew I could do, and I am excited to continue proving them right.”
Receiving this scholarship has the potential to “open up a world of opportunities that I previously thought were out of reach.” This student can now focus on her studies and her clinical skills—and the possibility of specializing, with further advanced education after completing her DDS, “has now become so much more attainable.”
Though she does not know exactly where her post-graduate plans will take her, this student has a passion for working with children, in particular those with special health care needs. “I envision a career dedicated to advancing oral health outcomes and quality of life for these individuals and everyone seeking care.”
As she prepares for all that lies ahead, this student is most excited to get to know her new dental school community.
“There is so much I’m looking forward to as I’m preparing for the start of dental school, but most of all, I’m excited to meet my future classmates and instructors,” she said. “I am eager to build relationships with peers who share my passion for dentistry and to enter a new supportive network.”
Working together toward the future
The work of implementing the Advancing Diversity in Dentistry Scholarships has been hard—and has highlighted the importance of working together. “This has been an excellent example of a public-private partnership to address a statewide issue,” said Wold, pointing to the collaboration between Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation and the school.
Best also considers the scholarship’s management a “total team effort.”
“By combining efforts and resources across the Offices of Admissions, Student and Resident Affairs and Development, we have been able to put the scholarship recipients’ needs first while also meeting the expectations of the donors.”
The work has also been, by all accounts, worth the effort. Wold feels that the most when she gets to break the news to recipients. “The most fun part of all of this is when we get to notify them that they’ve received the scholarship,” she explained. “At that point, everyone is tearing up.”
Jardine agrees—and also appreciates the impact these scholarships have not just on the future of oral health care, but on the school. “These scholarships are incredibly competitive, and they make a real impact on our class,” he said. “It provides an opportunity for our entire dental class to experience the diversity and richness of these applicants, who lift up everyone around them.”
Though the learners pursuing their education are just getting started, the School of Dentistry knows that their futures are bright—and that they will leave an indelible impact on the school, the community and the state.
“While all scholarships are helpful, these scholarships in particular are life changing,” said Best. “I look forward to witnessing the long-term impact of this tremendous gift.”
This story originally appeared in the 2024 edition of Dentistry Magazine.