Marquette University’s School of Dentistry hosted a clinic rejuvenation celebration, celebrating the completion of innovative updates on two of the four general dentistry clinics.
“We are proud that we have completely revitalized the wonderful spaces that we first occupied 20 years ago,” said Dean William K. Lobb, D.D.S, M.S., M.P.H. “We can now ensure that our students will be educated in an innovative facility and our patients will receive care in a clinical environment that is both safe and remarkable. I want to thank the many generous donors who made this important project possible.”
Lobb emphasized that there is “a lot of work ahead of us to bring the full project to completion,” while highlighting the “energy and inspiration” for this momentous first step. “We look forward to working with our state leaders to continue supporting Wisconsin’s only dental school.”
Alumni, parents and friends came together to raise nearly $5 million in six months for the clinic revitalization, which is comprised of 46 new dental operatories. The progress reflects the great momentum of Marquette’s Time to Rise philanthropic campaign — which has raised more than $617 million to date toward a $750 million goal.
“The Marquette School of Dentistry produces Jesuit-inspired dentists who commit to the values of integrity and personal care,” said John Bergstrom, School of Dentistry campaign co-chair. “Our Marquette dentists do things the right way.”
Bergstrom thanked alumni, parents and friends for “the important role you all played to make this dream come to a reality.” He also highlighted key partners, including the Wisconsin Dental Association who he said, “was our partner from day one” and his campaign co-chair of the School of Dentistry, Sue Meinerz, D.D.S.
Provost Kimo Ah Yun shared why the project is so important to the university, dental students, patients and the city of Milwaukee. “The Dental School is fulfilling our mission of serving others in incredible ways,” he said. “Over the past 20 years, they have cared for patients in over 1.7 million patient visits. We have put together a phenomenal educational package that makes people want to be here.”
To close the celebration, D4 student Sophia Altenburg highlighted the importance of the project to today’s students and patients. “It is my honor to thank all of you for your generous support on behalf of all of our dental students,” she said. “I can tell you first-hand that the patients absolutely love the new clinics, and as a student provider, we are so blessed to practice with all of the new equipment.”
By the numbers:
- 2,586 applicants for the class of 2026
- Over 1.7 million patient visits since August 2002
- More than $16 million worth of oral health care services annually in our Milwaukee Clinics alone.
- Nearly two-thirds of MUSOD’s patients are from Milwaukee County, many from high-poverty neighborhoods.
- MUSOD is Wisconsin’s dental school, and through its statewide network of affiliated clinics, it provides oral health care to patients from 66 of Wisconsin’s 72 Counties and serving nearly 30,000 patients with over 110,000 patient visits annually. MUSOD’s Main Campus Clinic in Milwaukee serves patients from 53 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties.
