Delta Dental donates $1.1 million to create endowed scholarships at Ostrow
Posted
17 Apr 23
Each year, at least two students will be supported by the gift.
THE DELTA DENTAL COMMUNITY CARE FOUNDATION has donated $1.1 million to the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC to support at least two students each year.
The scholarships are intended for students who have demonstrated high academic achievement while having experienced financial hardship, disadvantage, adversity or difficult circumstances in their lives or for students who have an interest in working in underserved communities.
“We are thrilled to partner with Delta Dental Community Care Foundation to establish these endowed scholarships,” said Dean Avishai Sadan. “These scholarships are perfectly in line with USC’s commitment to further diversifying the voices in oral healthcare and to providing much-needed dental care to underserved communities, which is a cornerstone of our curriculum here at Ostrow.”
Outside the U.S. military, Ostrow is home to the largest fleet of mobile dental clinics, providing treatment to communities in need from Bakersfield, Calif., to the Mexican border.
Through the school’s community partnerships, students and faculty provide treatment to tens of thousands of patients, including patients with special needs, the unhoused, veterans, children and the elderly.
“Through our partnership with the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, we are creating much needed dental education opportunities for students who are economically disadvantaged or historically underserved,” said Kenzie Ferguson, vice president of foundation and corporate social responsibility for Delta Dental of California. “The Delta Dental Endowed Scholarship for Opportunity supports the next generation of dentists and expands access to care for traditionally underserved populations. Our collaboration is an important step in advancing the dental profession and inspiring students to make a meaningful impact in their communities.”
Annually, Ostrow awards more than $2 million in scholarship funds to its students and residents. The school is dedicated to increasing the number of scholarships available to students.
Delta Dental Community Care Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of California.