During the “Stars, Stripes and Smiles” event, made possible through an $80,000 grant from Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health, the dental team from Marshall Health provided comprehensive dental treatment at no cost to about 50 military members, including veterans, retirees, active duty, reservists and National Guard and immediate family members.
“We are so grateful to show our appreciation to our veterans by way of comprehensive dental treatment they would not otherwise receive thanks to the generosity of our friends at Highmark,” said Marshall Health oral surgeon Raj K. Khanna, D.M.D., M.D., professor and chair of dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. “Our veterans and military personnel have given so much to our country. This event is a great way to give back to them a healthy smile they can be proud of.”
The team from Marshall Dentistry & Oral Surgery partnered with several organizations and agencies to identify West Virginia military members and veterans in need of dental care prior to the event date. Dental care provided varied based on individual treatment needs and ranged from preventive exams, x-rays and cleanings to extractions, fillings, dentures and more.
“The Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health is proud to partner with Marshall Health on today’s event,” said Jim Fawcett, president of Highmark West Virginia. “Helping local veterans in such an impactful way on Veteran’s Day truly serves the mission of Highmark, and we look forward to more activities like today’s to serve others.”
Both organizations hope this can become an annual appreciation event for veterans. For more information about Marshall Dentistry & Oral Surgery, visit marshallhealth.org/dentistry or call 304-691-1247. For news and information about Marshall Health, follow us on Twitter @Marshall_Health, like us on Facebook or visit marshallhealth.org.
———
Photos: (1) Dr. Raj Khanna talks with a patient. (2) Pictured left to right are Bobbi Jo Muto, M.P.H., R.D.H., community and oral health programs coordinator at the School of Medicine; SSG Judd Holcomb, WV Army National Guard; Raj Khanna, D.M.D., M.D., chair of dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery; Cathy McAlister and Bethany Ross, both with Highmark Health.
About Marshall Health
Marshall Health is the clinical enterprise of Marshall University and its Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. Marshall Health brings together a comprehensive care team of 400 providers in 75 areas of primary and specialty care. As part of an academic health system, Marshall Health is committed to improving access to care throughout southern West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky through advanced technologies and research that benefit its patients and the communities it serves. To learn more, visit marshallhealth.org.
About Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health
The Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health, is a controlled fund of the Highmark Foundation. The Charitable Fund for Health‘s mission is to improve the health, well-being and quality of life for individuals who reside in all 55 counties in West Virginia. The Highmark WV Charitable Fund for Health strives to support programs that impact multiple counties and work collaboratively to leverage additional funding to achieve replicable models. For more information, visit www.highmarkfoundation.org.