A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN

Each year, I am amazed anew at the amazing caliber of the students and residents seeking to join the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine community. I shouldn’t be, of course, because I know that our school offers one of the best, and most rigorous, educations in dental medicine available anywhere in the United States. By joining our community, they will be further enhancing a diverse and inclusive student body, committed to excellence in oral healthcare and to advancing the field. And I know that, after they graduate, they will be joining a passionate, supportive, dedicated group of alumni. But my amazement is tempered by the knowledge that some of these individuals will end up declining our offer – and some even might choose never to apply. They will make this decision not because they want to, but because of financial realities.

Modern dental education is expensive, and GSDM is no exception. Digital dentistry and other innovations in oral healthcare – innovations in which GSDM is at the leading edge – come at a high cost. Yes, our school offers a tremendous value to the students and residents who matriculate. But, we also derive tremendous value from those students and residents, and it is impossible to separate the quality of our school from the quality of our student body. Therefore, it is imperative that we find ways to ensure that quality.

Our scholarship program is one of the most valuable tools that we have to recruit, support, and retain a diverse, inclusive, and vibrant student body. Every time that we are able to offer a student or resident a scholarship, we are helping them access the opportunities that our school has to offer and recognizing the excellence that they will contribute back to our community.

In this issue, we feature some of the students and residents who have received scholarships this year – and I believe you will be as impressed by them as I am. The Last Word essay in this issue is authored by one of our alumna, Dr. Maria Petroche PERIO 21. In her essay. Dr. Petroche writes that GSDM was her dream – but one that she was only able to make a reality because of the scholarship she was awarded. She expresses her gratitude for that opportunity – and I too am grateful, grateful that we had a scholarship to offer her, as our community would certainly be worse off for not having her a part of it.

I am deeply appreciative of the generosity and support of alumni like you who have contributed to our scholarship program – but we need to do more. Every dollar you contribute to our scholarship program will go to supporting students and residents like the ones featured in this issue – and to building a stronger, more impactful GSDM community.

I look forward to seeing you at one of the alumni receptions we hold throughout the year – notably, Alumni Weekend from September 2123, 2023! And if you find yourself in Boston, please come visit us.

Cataldo W. Leone, DMD, DMedSc, FACD, FICD Dean and Spencer N. Frankl Professor in Dental Medicine