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Foundation History: Where Ethics Meets Action Remembering Dr. Dows
Dr. Cecelia L. Dows was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, and graduated from Bayonne High School in 1936. She was a member of Fordham University’s fi rst class to include female students, graduating in 1941 with a Bachelor’s of Science in chemistry. As a young chemist, she worked for Standard Oil of New York. Cecelia applied to New York University Dental School in 1943, entering as the only woman in that class. While she never intended to be a pioneer, destiny obviously had different plans for her. She would remark later in life that “it’s probably diffi cult to believe now, but I was very shy before I entered dental school. Because I had to prove myself over and over as a woman in a nearly solid male fortress, I found my voice, and I have never stopped speaking out about issues that affect the future of the profession that I love.” She launched her career at Bellville Foundation Clinic, where she remained for several years. She married Henry Dows in 1952 and shortly after started her general dentistry practice in Short Hills. She retired in 2006. During her career, Dr. Dows served as president of the Bayonne Council of Social Agencies, New York/ New Jersey Area Association of Women Dentists, and the Essex County Dental Society. Dr. Dows was a Fellow of the American College of Dentists and past member of the Bayonne Board of Education. Additionally, Dr. Dows was the fi rst female president of the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the fi rst female president of the Essex County Dental Society. She has also served as president of the New Jersey chapter of the American Association of Women Dentists. In 1980, she was presented the Woman of the Year Award by the New Jersey Association of Women Physicians. She was an active member of New Jersey Dental Association and American Dental Association and dedicated her life to volunteerism and leadership in her profession. When establishing the Dr. Cecelia L. Dows Fund in 2006, she stated: “There is no mystery why I want to support the American College of Dentists. The College does good work and is the epitome of human integrity and commitment.” Dr. Cecelia Dows endowed a scholarship program that was centered on education in ethics. She believed as legendary activist and reformer Jane Addams believed that “action is the sole medium of ethics.” For more than a decade the Cecelia Dows Fund has generously provided scholarship for advanced training in ethics and our Fellows have gone on to provide training in ethics and professionalism at the local, regional, national, and international level. Applications for the Cecelia L. Dows Scholarship for Advanced Studies in Ethics are taken each year through March 1 for the subsequent academic year (March 2022 for academic year 2022-2023). This scholarship is available to both Fellows and non-Fellows for either a Master’s or PhD in ethics at any fully accredited university. Recent Dows Scholars have graduated from Harvard and Creighton.
Spotlight on Dows Scholars, in their own words
Larry J. Cook, DMD, MS, FACD
Dr. Cook was one of the Foundation’s fi rst Dows Scholars, receiving his Master’s in Healthcare Ethics from Creighton University in 2011. His research during his program focused on the ethical implications of rural economic disparity in health care, and he was able to concentrate on his home state of Florida, creating relevance and immediacy for his community. “I believe the effort to reach our peers with sound ethical dilemma issues has not only an effect on our peers but, ultimately, can bring sound strong results for the patients they treat daily. The two questions in Dental Ethics: “What should we do?” and “Why should we do it?” truly rings in the hearts and minds of our profession providing reasons for the professional’s behavior. The fi eld of Dental Ethics has provided me with so much opportunity and fulfi llment. I highly recommend pursuing graduate training in dental ethics to any of my peers who feel a calling to the fi eld.”
Kristi M. Soileau, DDS, MEd, MSHCE, FACD
Dr. Soileau received her Master’s in Healthcare Ethics from Creighton in 2017, focusing her efforts on oral care within the hospice community, which she describes as “a neglected area of preventive and palliativefocused care.” She is affi liated with Nôtre Dame Hospice as its volunteer dentist, and, like Dr. Cook, easily found relevance and need for her graduate training in her practice. While actively utilizing her training with fi rst- and third-year students, Dr. Soileau refl ects that, “While a tough two years, the growth and enlightenment that I was able to experience far exceeded anything I would have imagined.”
Alma Clark, DDS, MSHCE, FACD
Dr. Clark is the latest Dows Scholar, receiving her Master of Science in Health Care Ethics from Creighton University in 2020. She has practiced general dentistry in northern California for over 30 years and is active in organized dentistry. Dr. Clark is the chair the Continuing Education Subcommittee for the American Dental Association Council on Ethics Bylaws and Judicial Affairs. In addition, as a member of the California Correctional Health Care Services Headquarters Ethics Committee, she works to resolve confl icts in healthcare occurring in correctional facilities. When asked about her experience meeting her expectations, Dr. Clark responded, that, “I anticipated the graduate studies to improve my knowledge of ethics and allow me to continue to motivate, teach, encourage, and inspire fellow members of our profession as emerging risks and technologies arise in dentistry. The study of ethics at Creighton University met my expectations.”
The Foundation, utilizing the Cecelia L. Dows Scholarship Fund, has invested in eight dentists since 2011, providing $80,000 in funding for advanced education in ethics. In return, they have published research on dental ethics and provided essential continuing education in ethics. Several work with SPEA chapters at local dental schools where they also teach ethics and professionalism. Additionally, the fund has sponsored $25,000 through our partnership with Creighton and their certifi cate in ethics. For more information about the Cecelia L. Dows Scholarship please contact Suzan Pitman at suzan@acd.org.
