Why I Give
Increased Pledge
Fabricio B. Teixeira, DDS, MS, PhD
Professor & Head of Endodontics
University of Iowa
Why did you choose to make a Benefactor level donation and then increase to the Founder level?
From my perspective as an educator, the Foundation gives educators so much. Everyone is struggling, and without the Foundation it would be really tough. It’s all about the proactive attitude of commitment to supporting the specialty. As long as the Foundation continues to support endodontic education, I’ll try to do my best to keeping going up to the next (giving) level.
When you work in an institution where a lot of people have R01 grants (from NIH), they organically have funds to provide to young researchers and students. If you don’t, then it becomes more difficult.
University of Iowa just received an Endowed Faculty Matching Grant from the Foundation. It was incredibly important for me to complete that endowment. The proceeds allow me to buy new technology for our program and support research projects. I can host visiting speakers every month who bring different and fresh perspectives. I think it’s important for me that our residents get to know these folks and spend a day with them. My goal is to expose the residents to the maximum information we have, and lots of different experiences.
Freedland Society
Janice Chou, DDS FACD FICD
Newport Coast Endodontics
Newport Beach, CA
Why did you want to donate to the Foundation?
I came to the United States as a Taiwanese immigrant. Every immigrant has their American Dream. I’m very fortunate to become an endodontist because several mentors opened the door for me and directed me to endodontics. Because of this profession I have the life I have right now. As a Taiwanese, we still have loyalty to America, so I would like to leave all money to this country for all it’s done for me.
Also, when I was an endo resident at USC, I received a $10,000 research grant from the Foundation.
Why did a bequest work for you?
I don’t have a family to leave money to. A bequest is a very convenient way to give without interfering with my other financial planning, we might do more investments like property, so that I could have more to donate later. We’re still in the phase of growing our assets.
Recurring Contribution
Kimberly Lindquist, DDS, MSD
Northern Endodontic Associates
Duluth, MN
What have you gleaned from all your AAE volunteer experience about the importance of the Foundation?
I was a member of the AAE before there was a Foundation. My mentor Dr. Darrell Zenk was one of the first people to approach me. He filled my ear with all the benefits of having a foundation to support our specialty, besides the fact that we need one just to be designated as a specialty. I told him, ‘I don’t have any money…’ but he said, ‘that ok you can give a pledge (over time)…’
I have been involved in the Foundation at different times, and each time I kept upping my pledge. Finally, my husband said, ‘can we just do something that’s kind of consistent?’ That’s what led me to become a monthly recurring donor. I feel very strongly about contributing, both to give back, and to maintain our status as a specialty.
How does your recurring gift work for you?
An automatic deduction is one of those things you put in your budget, it’s built in and I built it in on purpose because I think it’s important…It’s simple and I don’t have to think about it, and I don’t have to get reminders during the year… I figure, how many cups of Starbucks do I get?
Which Foundation programs are most impactful for you?
As someone who attended a program that didn’t have a lot of funding support for research, I think the resident research grants are important. I’ve always thought the educator fellowships are a very good opportunity. I’m really excited to see what happens with the access to care grants. I’m a big advocate for giving back. I’ve been part of the Mission of Mercy they do in Minnesota every year. There’s always people in your back yard who need help.
As health care providers we want to help people. Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of the practice you forget why you’re doing what you’re doing and why you love what you do. It’s so heartwarming to be able to help individuals in need…. There’s quite a bit of endodontics that can be done that people would otherwise have [the tooth] out, or just not have treated… It’s so rewarding and just being human … these patients are usually in tears by the end, not because they’re in pain, but because they thought it would hurt and it didn’t, and because they haven’t been able to see anybody and you just gave them their front tooth back… it’s incredible.