Table of Contents
Alumnus Makes Largest Gift in Dental Branch History
Orthodontist dedicates $1 million gift in memory of orthodontics program founder
R. G. “Wick” Alexander, D.D.S.,
M.S.D.
Orthodontist R. G. “Wick” Alexander, D.D.S., M.S.D., of Arlington has given The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston the largest philanthropic gift in its 102-year history, contributing $1 million toward the construction of a new dental school building in the Texas Medical Center’s South Campus.
In making the donation Aug. 27, Alexander dedicated it to the memory of A. P. Westfall, D.D.S., founder of the orthodontics program at the UT Dental Branch.
“With five orthodontists in the Alexander family, it is appropriate to give thanks to this wonderful specialty for the influence it has had in our lives and consequently thousands of our patients,” Alexander said. “Since it all started with Dr. Westfall, we humbly dedicate this clinic to his memory. May his inspiration permeate through these walls to all future generations.”
Alexander is a 1962 graduate of the UT Dental Branch who returned for a master of science degree and orthodontic certification in 1964. Other orthodontists in his family include his sons, Charles Dean Alexander, D.D.S., and James Moody Alexander, D.D.S.; a brother, C. Moody Alexander, D.D.S.; and a nephew, J. Clifton Alexander, D.D.S.
Appliance Used Around the World
In his 42-year practice, Wick Alexander has treated more than 14,000 patients and is widely known as the designer of the Alexander VariSimplex Discipline, a type of orthodontic appliance used by orthodontists around the world. He also owns Ortho-Graphics Inc., a publishing company that distributes patient education material to orthodontists.
Orthodontist R.G. “Wick” Alexander has dedicated his $1 million gift to the UT Dental Branch to the memory of A.P. Westfall, D.D.S, founder of the school’s orthodontist program.
Orthodontist R.G. “Wick” Alexander has dedicated his $1 million gift to the UT Dental Branch to the memory of A.P. Westfall, D.D.S, founder of the school’s orthodontist program.
“We are deeply grateful for this magnanimous expression of support for the future of dental education,” said Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S., dean of the UT Dental Branch. “Dr. Alexander shares our vision to have a strong clinical program that is both contemporary and patient-centered, while at the same time expanding our research efforts for the improvement of the overall health of the individual. With his momentous gift, he brings that aspiration closer to becoming reality in the near future, while remembering the orthodontics educator who helped make this possible, Dr. A. P. Westfall.”
UT Health Science Center President James T. Willerson, M.D., said, “We are very grateful to Dr. Alexander for this far-sighted and critically important gift to our dental school. His gift helps us enhance the quality of education of many future students and our continued ability to train very outstanding dentists for the state of Texas.”
The new dental school is expected to cost approximately $90 million. A combined commitment of $60 million from state Tuition Revenue Bonds and $18 million in UT System Permanent University Funds already is in hand. The remainder is being solicited from foundations and private individuals in the “Open to Health” fundraising initiative.
Future of Dental Education
Jeryl English, D.D.S., chair of the UT Dental Branch Department of Orthodontics, described Alexander as a clinician and teacher who cares deeply about the future of dental education.
“The Department of Orthodontics, its faculty and residents of the UT Dental Branch at Houston owe a large debt of gratitude to Dr. Wick Alexander for his contributions,” English said.
“Wick and I spoke on numerous occasions over the last couple of years, and his desire was that future orthodontic residents at UTDB have the same excellent academic experience and clinical training that is available now. This is an incredible gift from a great orthodontic clinician and teacher.
“The Department of Orthodontics is on a steep trajectory to excellence,” English added, saying he hopes other alumni will follow Alexander’s lead. “Those gifts are needed for us to continue to educate future generations of orthodontists in sufficient numbers to serve an ever-increasing number of patients. We want the new orthodontic facility to be the most modern and attractive in the world. Dr. Alexander’s gift will help make that possible.”
Positive Influence
Alexander’s long-time friend and former classmate at UT, orthodontist Robert Orr, D.D.S., of Grand Junction, Colo., said Alexander “has always been an extremely hard worker with a vision and focused on whatever he wanted to accomplish. He has had, and currently still has, a large and very positive influence on educating orthodontists and promoting orthodontics in the United States and worldwide.
“This is a wonderful gift to the school, and Wick is to be commended for his generosity and continued interest in dental education,” Orr said.
The new dental school is part of a larger project, the construction of the new, $161.5 million UT Research Park Complex on the South Campus of the Texas Medical Center off Old Spanish Trail. Other new facilities to be constructed include the Biomedical Research and Education Facility and the Neuroscience Building.
For more information about the Open to Health initiative, contact UT Dental Branch Development Director John Greer, 713-500-4380 or John.Greer@uth.tmc.edu.
By Rhonda Moran, UT Dental Branch