School of Dentistry names clinic for former dean Laurie McCauley in recognition of gift from Henry Schein Cares6 min read

Ann Arbor, Mich., Oct. 25, 2024 – The main predoctoral clinic used by dental students at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry has been named in honor of U-M Provost Laurie McCauley, the former dean of the dental school.

The naming was announced Thursday by school leaders in recognition of a major equipment donation to the school by Henry Schein Cares, the corporate citizenship program of Henry Schein, the world’s largest provider of healthcare solutions to office-based dental and medical practitioners, with operations in 33 countries and territories.

The series of first-floor clinics where patients are treated by dental students and faculty will now be named the “Henry Schein Cares Clinic in Honor of Laurie K. McCauley, DDS, MS, PhD.” About 50 invited guests gathered for the ceremonial unveiling of the name displayed on a wall in the clinic.

Before being appointed Provost of the university in 2022, McCauley served as dean of the dental school for nine years. She joined U-M as an assistant professor of dentistry in 1992, becoming an associate professor in 1996 and professor in 2001. From 2002-12, she chaired the Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine. For more than 25 years, McCauley has led an active research program in hormonal controls of bone remodeling, parathyroid hormone anabolic actions in bone and prostate cancer skeletal metastasis.

Dean Jacques Nör said it is fitting the main clinic for students earning their DDS degrees should be named for McCauley, who has had a major impact on the school over the last three decades.

“Laurie’s leadership and vision have been remarkable throughout her career – as both our Dean and previously as a faculty member and department chair,” Nör said. “She has literally transformed our school through the recent renovations, known to many as Blue Renew, which created state-of-the-art laboratories and clinics where we teach and train our students, and provide quality care for patients from all backgrounds. Laurie, your contributions continue to leave an enduring legacy on our school and it is truly fitting to add your name to our predoctoral clinics.”

Nör also thanked Henry Schein, which was represented at the naming ceremony by its Chief Executive Officer Stanley Bergman and several other members of its leadership team. “Your dedication to expanding healthcare access and promoting a holistic approach to care aligns perfectly with our school’s mission of advancing health through education, service, research and discovery,” Nör said.

As part of the agreement, Henry Schein is providing equipment, products and supplies in each of the next five years.

Bergman said the collaboration links the dental school’s internationally recognized record of educational and research excellence with Henry Schein’s commitment to improving oral health worldwide.

“For decades, Henry Schein has been dedicated to expanding access to health care in underserved communities,” Bergman said. “We believe that health care is a human right, and have long supported efforts globally to advance that cause. Henry Schein also has been at the forefront of highlighting holistic approaches to care, including the strong connection between overall health and oral health, and we are pleased to join with U-M in support of this important effort.”

Naming the clinic for McCauley recognizes her longstanding body of work in research, administration and leadership related to oral health and education, Bergman said. “We all know that Dr. McCauley is a leading voice internationally in support of oral health as an integral part of overall health, as well as a highly regarded academic administrator recognized for her integrity and commitment to research,” he said.

“While the students and profession will benefit from this partnership, most importantly this clinic is a valuable resource for the underserved communities of Michigan, especially in rural areas that lack access to oral healthcare,” Bergman said.

In her remarks acknowledging the naming as an “amazing honor,” McCauley thanked Henry Schein and its leaders who attended, the dental school and Dean Jacques Nör, and numerous colleagues whom she said supported her while she was a professor and dean of the school.

McCauley noted the school’s long history with Henry Schein and its support of dentists worldwide for decades. She applauded its values-based culture that prioritizes delivering care to underserved communities, a hallmark of the company under the leadership of Bergman, who has been CEO since 1989. She also thanked Steven Kess, Consultant, Global Strategic Partnerships, for his wisdom and support of the school when he served on her Advisory Committee while she was dean. Early on during the Covid-19 pandemic, she recalled the company and in particular Chief Corporate Affairs Officer David Kochman reaching out frequently to offer support during an extremely challenging time to provide healthcare.

“It is a model corporate citizen, an incredible partner in catalyzing healthcare access in particular, education and delivering care to underserved communities,” McCauley said. “This incredibly generous gift really reflects the generosity of you and your leadership team.  It is really an incredible honor for me to be represented alongside you.”

Tom Baird, the university’s Vice President of Development, opened the program and noted that the timing of the clinic naming announcement was the day before U-M held a celebration at Hill Auditorium to kick off its next capital campaign, called Look to Michigan. Baird praised the leadership of McCauley and thanked Henry Schein for its major gift to the school.

“It’s a perfect weekend to celebrate philanthropy at the University of Michigan,” Baird said. “We know that people in the dental field will always ‘Look to Michigan,’ thanks to the generosity, innovation and leadership of people like you in this room.”

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The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation’s leading dental schools engaged in oral healthcare education, research, patient care and community service.  General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the school to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan.  Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia and public agencies.  Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide.  For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit us on the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu.  Contact: Lynn Monson, associate director of communications, at [email protected], or (734) 615-1971.