New Endowed Fund Established
The American and WNY Dental Partners Foundation have committed to a $50,000 endowed fund that will benefit graduating residents from all the various clinical programs.
Established in 1999 as a tax-exempt, non-profit organization, the American Dental Partners Foundation is dedicated to improving oral health care as a component of overall health. This mission includes activities that address critical issues within the oral health industry itself, including:
- Scholarships at more than 30 dental and hygiene schools to help combat rising education costs.
- Support for academic positions to help address the current shortage of dental school faculty.
- Funding for continuing education programs to aid in professional development.
- Externship and residency programs to expand opportunities for student clinical experiences.
Representatives from the Foundation visited Eastman Institute recently to meet some of the leadership team, take a tour and bring back photos for their national and regional publications. (l to r ) Jenn Pronobis, Dr. Ruff, Dr. Apolito, Julia Trask, Ed Reif, Dr. Meyerowitz, Dr. Rossouw
“We enjoyed visiting with the faculty,” Dr. Jesley Ruff, senior vice president, chief professional officer, and director of the Foundation. “There is a base selflessness, rectitude and probity here; little found in most any organizations we’ve visited.”
The University of Rochester Eastman Institute for Oral Health is a uniquely special place, he said, and “the narrative is rich with accomplishment, and its mission is on display each and every day.
“I am dignified and privileged for the experience and life-time association,” added Dr. Ruff, who is a 1981 graduate of Eastman’s General Dentistry’s one-year program. “Exemplary individuals from throughout the world launched their careers at Eastman. Patients and communities are the beneficiaries. Teachers, mentors, colleagues and friends from Eastman remain always in my heart. We are fortunate and honored for the philanthropic collaboration.”