The Mississippi Association of Women Dentists (MS-AWD) has committed $250,000 to help support construction and enhancement of the University of Mississippi Medical Center’s new School of Dentistry, including expansion of educational spaces that will allow the school to train more future dentists.
Founded in 2005 by Dr. Mindy Austin of Tupelo, Mississippi, the MS-AWD was established to connect and support women dentists through professional relationships, networking, continuing education and leadership development. Over the years, the organization has also maintained a strong focus on philanthropy and service to Mississippi communities.
For Dr. Christina McRae, president of MS-AWD and a 2018 graduate of the UMMC School of Dentistry, the gift represents both a milestone for the organization and a meaningful way to give back to the institution that helped launch the careers of many of its members.
“When the new dental school was being built, we viewed it as an opportunity to make a lasting impact and felt it would be a meaningful way to support future students,” she said.
Dr. Pia Chatterjee Kirk, dean of the School of Dentistry, said the gift demonstrates the organization’s commitment to dental education and the future of dentistry in the state.
“I am deeply grateful to the Mississippi Association of Women Dentists for this extraordinary gift. This is a demonstration of MS-AWD’s commitment to our students, our profession and the future of oral health care in Mississippi,” Kirk said.
“I hope this gift has a lasting impact,” she continued. “Our goal is not only to utilize the funds to meet our immediate needs but also to make an investment that strengthens the school and benefits students and patients for years to come.”
The funds behind the gift were originally intended to support an annual lectureship at the School of Dentistry. According to McRae, the organization’s founders envisioned using the money to enhance continuing education by bringing speakers to campus and creating learning opportunities for dental professionals.
As the years passed, however, organizing a lectureship became increasingly challenging, and the fund continued to grow through fundraising events, donations and investment earnings.
“Honestly, at our last meeting, we were amazed at how much money had accumulated,” McRae said. “Being able to make this gift to the new school and its students is a wonderful way to give back. We’re really proud of ourselves for being able to make the impact. It’s amazing what everyone has done to make this happen, especially the founding members.”
Former MS-AWD president Dr. Sarah Carlisle, a 2003 graduate of the UMMC School of Dentistry, said members believed the building campaign offered the best opportunity to invest in the future of the profession.
The impact of the gift is already being felt.
“We already know that a portion of our gift is being used to expand the preclinical lab areas to accommodate the addition of four more dental students to this year’s D1 class,” Carlisle said. “We hope our gift will encourage future women dentists who will be attending the School of Dentistry.”
The funds will support priorities that advance the school’s educational mission, including enhancements to learning spaces, student study areas and the simulation suite. Such improvements will help the school accommodate additional students while continuing to provide high-quality training.
“As Mississippi’s only dental school, we have a responsibility to prepare the next generation of oral health care professionals to serve our state,” Kirk said. “Private philanthropy is essential to the continued growth and excellence of our school by adding technology and updating equipment. Gifts such as this one show that our alumni believe in what we are doing and are willing to partner with us.
“We are incredibly appreciative of the MS-AWD organization’s generosity and hope that their example will encourage others to join us in building a stronger future for dental education here at UMMC.”
To make a gift in support of the School of Dentistry Building Fund, contact Brad Ewing, director of development-schools, at gewing1@umc.edu or 601-815-5893.
By Bill Dabney/UM Foundation