Alumnus Heads Fundraising Initiative for Dental Branch

Of all the star qualities of The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston, Stephen F. Schwartz, D.D.S., is definitely one of its brightest.

The Houston endodontist and Dental Branch alumnus has been chosen to shed light on the importance of oral health education and research as head of a five-year fundraising initiative to construct a new building.

Stephen F. Schwartz, D.D.S.

Just as important, Schwartz’s leadership will build the coffers to establish faculty endowments, scholarships and research grants for the school.

Dental Branch Dean Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., said there couldn’t have been a better choice.

“Dr. Schwartz is exactly the kind of partner we need in our efforts to build our future,” she said. “He is an accomplished practitioner, a national leader, an experienced fundraiser and a strong political advocate in the dental profession. Most importantly, he is committed to the goal at hand – excellence in oral health education, research and service right now for the benefit of humanity in the future. ‘Changing the Landscape of Oral Health’ begins with choosing the right changers. We have made an excellent choice in Dr. Stephen Schwartz.”

Schwartz has been a recipient of the Texas Dentist of the Year Award and maintains a private practice in Houston. He is currently serving as second vice president of the American Dental Association and recently received the Edgar D. Coolidge Award, the highest award bestowed by the American Association of Endodontists. He has been involved in major fundraising efforts including raising the funds to establish a positive political presence for the Texas Dental Association.

Schwartz received his D.D.S. and a Master of Science degree in endodontics from the Dental Branch.

As an alumnus, Schwartz is committed to ensuring that the new Dental Branch is more than just a new building – but instead a new school.

“I want to create, not just build the best dental education institute in the world,” he said. “I want to establish a certain caliber of school, and the building will be a natural extension that accommodates and complements what is inside. But I want the contents of that facility to be most important.”

Thanks to a legislative allocation and Permanent University Funds from UT System, $78 million is in hand for the project. The base goal is $90 million.

The new school will sit in the UT Research Park, located on the southern end of the Texas Medical Center. In that location, the school will benefit from the unlimited opportunities for collaboration and synergy with other UT and Texas Medical Center institutions.

“As dentistry progresses and the connection is drawn between oral health and systemic health, we are going to be working more closely with the medical community all the time,” Schwartz said. “I hope that the dental school will form collaborative relationships with those medical institutions in an effort to share resources.”

By Erika Durham Hargrove, Dental Branch