Delta Dental of Tennessee (Delta Dental) was recently announced as a recipient of the Meharry Salt Wagon Award at the 12th Annual Circle of Friends Recognition Event. Delta Dental was recognized along with the Honorable William H. “Bill” Frist, M.D., former U.S. Senate Majority Leader, and Dr. Artmas Worthy, a 1975 graduate and adjunct faculty member at the School of Dentistry at Meharry Medical College.

Delta Dental received the award in recognition of the company’s pledged donation of $780,223 that has allowed the Meharry School of Dentistry to develop a new, state-of-the-art oral diagnostic and imaging clinic. The technologically advanced clinic, currently under construction and scheduled for completion this year, will allow Meharry dental faculty and students to adopt the rapidly growing usage of digital radiography and assist students in providing the best diagnostic procedures for patients. Faculty and students will also be able to instantaneously access digital images taken with any type of digital imaging system and implement an electronic patient record system. Delta Dental also sponsored the student-organized Oral Cancer Awareness Walk in April.

“It is a great honor to be a partner with such an historically distinguished institution, and this recognition of our support is very meaningful,” said Phil Wenk, D.D.S., president and CEO of Delta Dental. “Meharry’s new clinic will help the dental students be better prepared in their chosen profession as well as having a great impact on the improvement of oral health across Tennessee and beyond.”

Past recipients of the Salt Wagon Award include President Ronald Reagan, Governor Phil Bredesen, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and State Farm Insurance. The Meharry Salt Wagon Award is the most prestigious non-academic honor Meharry Medical College offers to men and women of extraordinary achievement who have aligned their personal and business interests with the college’s historic mission to serve the neglected communities of America.

Dr.Frist, who also received the Salt Wagon Award, was recognized for his generous contributions and long-term commitment to the school’s mission, which is focused on meeting the healthcare needs of the underserved through education, research and patient care. Dr. Worthy received the Circle of Friends Award, presented annually to those who demonstrate selfless commitment of time, energy and resources to advance the mission of Meharry Medical College.

The Meharry Circle of Friends was founded in 1996 to recognize and honor those individuals in the Nashville community who believe in the mission of Meharry Medical College and, as such, have provided significant support to the advancement of the institution.

About Delta Dental of Tennessee

Delta Dental of Tennessee, with its affiliates in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, is one of the largest dental plan administrators in the nation. In 2007, the enterprise paid out more than $1.8 billion for dental care for more than 6.2 million enrollees. Offices are located in Okemos and Farmington Hills, Michigan; Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio; Indianapolis and Greenwood, Indiana; and Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis, Tennessee. Delta Dental of Tennessee has maintained a Best’s rating of A- (excellent) for six years. For more information on Delta Dental of Tennessee, please visit http://www.deltadentaltn.com/.

About Meharry Medical College

Meharry Medical College is the nation’s largest private, independent historically black academic health center dedicated solely to educating minority and other health professionals. Meharry is particularly well known for its uniquely nurturing, highly effective educational programs; emerging preeminence in health disparities research; culturally sensitive, evidence-based health services; and significant contribution to the diversity of the nation’s health professions workforce. The ranking of institutions by Diverse Issues in Higher Education annually lists Meharry as a leading national educator of African Americans with M.D. and D.D.S. degrees, and Ph.D. degrees in the biomedical sciences. To learn more about Meharry Medical College, visit http://www.mmc.edu/.

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