ODA FOUNDATION AWARDS 2023 GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS
The ODA Foundation awarded scholarships to nine dental students from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 2023.
Since it’s inception, the ODA Foundation has awarded more than $1.7 million in grants and scholarships, and in 2023, the foundation continued this tradition by providing partial scholarships to worthy dental students and grants to access to dental care programs in Ohio.
The ODA Foundation held its annual raffle fundraiser for the first time in several years. New this year, the first prize was a Vacation of a Lifetime through LuxGive. The annual ODA Foundation raffle is one of the primary sources of funding for oral health-related grants and dental scholarships for deserving students. The raffle prizes were drawn at the 2023 ODA Annual Session. First prize (Vacation of a Lifetime) was won by Dr. Fred Alger, and second prize (tripartite dues paid or cash equivalent) was won by Dr. Evan Tetelman.
Grants
The ODA Foundation awards grants for access to dental care initiatives to nonprofits in Ohio.
In 2023, the ODA Foundation awarded a total of $22,400 in grants to the following organizations:
- Abigail Wexner Research Center to assist with covering the cost of dental supplies for a free clinic in partnership with Scioto County Head Start.
- Eastern Gateway Community College in Steubenville to purchase one Nomad handheld X-ray machine to assist with the expansion of Eastern Gateway Community College’s dental assisting program.
- Good Neighbor House in Dayton to assist with covering lab costs for their denture program clients.
- Medworks to assist with covering supplies for their free clinic in Cleveland.
- Care Alliance to assist with funding the purchase of new dental instruments for their FQHC dental clinics in Cleveland.
Scholarships
The Foundation awards scholarships to dental students to help reduce their student loan debt, allowing them to worry less about the cost of their education and focus more on learning needed skills. In 2023, scholarships were awarded to nine dental students from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and The Ohio State University College of Dentistry.
This year’s scholarship awards included the ODA Foundation’s three memorial scholarships. The Dr. E. Karl Schneider II Humanitarian Scholarship is awarded in memory of Schneider, who passed away in 2017 while serving as the ODA Foundation’s chairman. The 2023 Dr. E. Karl Schneider II Humanitarian Scholarship was awarded to OSU dental student Trevor Cubra. The Darryl Dever Advocacy Scholarship is awarded in memory of the ODA’s longtime lobbyist and was awarded to OSU dental student Fiona Chambers. Finally, the Forward Ever Scholarship is awarded in memory of Dr. R.E. “Jim” Snelson for his leadership in organized dentistry and was awarded to OSU dental student Sydney Sherek.
“This scholarship is a great example of how the ODA is supporting me as a student throughout my dental school career,” Chambers said. “I am in my third year, and chose dentistry because I am determined to make a difference in the lives of my patients one day!”
New in 2023, the Dr. Kevin Laing Fund Scholarship was awarded for the first time to an OSU student who comes from or intends to practice dentistry in a rural/underserved community. The 2023 recipient was OSU dental student Ellen Peters.
The Dr. James F. Mercer Leadership Scholarship was awarded from the Mercer Fund, a designated fund within the ODA Foundation. OSU dental student Madison Mettey was selected to receive the award.
“I am extremely grateful to have received an ODA scholarship for a second time,” Mettey said. “I am thankful for the ways I have been supported by the ODA throughout my four years of dental school and I look forward to maintaining my involvement with the association following graduation.”
Donations make scholarships and grants possible!
- Mail a donation to the Foundation at 1370 Dublin Rd., Columbus, OH 43215.
- Donate to the Foundation online by clicking here.
- Give to the Foundation when renewing ODA membership for 2024.
- Give a donation in honor or memory of a friend or loved one.
- List the ODA Foundation in estate plans and for memorial contributions, when the time comes.
