Dentistry trailblazer retires after decades of service, mentorship at WVU
From a childhood dream of becoming a dentist to blazing her own trail, Dr. Shelia Price, associate dean of admissions, recruitment and access in the School of Dentistry, retired from West Virginia University effective Sept. 15.
As a fifth-grade student living in rural West Virginia, Dr. Price began to dream of becoming a dentist. Since then, she has forged a path for herself and others, enrolling as a first-generation college student and becoming the first African American woman to earn a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at WVU.
“Dr. Price is such a bright light for us all at the Health Sciences Center and at the university,” Dr. Clay Marsh, chancellor and executive dean for WVU Health Sciences, said. “She has set an incredible standard, and she's somebody who acts with love in her heart and a sense of service to students and to community. Her guidance, support and impact has changed the future for countless individuals at WVU and those they serve.”
Price joined the faculty at WVU as an instructor and became the first female dentist at WVU to ascend rank from instructor to professor. In addition to serving as and maintaining her role as a professor of diagnostic sciences, and she has lead the school’s admissions, recruitment and multicultural programs for 23 years.
As associate dean for dental admissions, Price directed the process of admitting highly qualified students to meet the challenges of becoming a competent dental professional. Each year, with the support of the recruitment team, she reviewed up to one thousand applications to select fewer than 50 incoming Doctor of Dental Surgery students.
“Dr. Price has devoted nearly 40 years of service to our School of Dentistry, West Virginia University, the people of West Virginia and the profession of dentistry,” said Dr. Stephen Pachuta, dean of the WVU School of Dentistry. “She is a nationally recognized leader in our profession and has established our admissions process as a model program for dental admissions. Her impact has been significant and shaped generations of dentists across the state, the nation and around the world.”
Her influence can further be felt in the classroom and clinic through her efforts to develop curriculum and initiatives that promote excellence in education and patient care while also increasing inclusivity and belonging.
Price attributes much of her success to those who embraced her along her journey and served as valuable mentors, a role she also filled for many students as a way to pay forward the guidance and support she received.
“I am grateful for the monumental honor, privilege and opportunity to have had a career in dental education at my alma mater,” Price said. “Woven in the word career is the word care. During my purpose-driven time at WVU, I endeavored to model my mentors’ examples of excellence in care and courage. Dental school applicants and visitors often heard me refer to the School of Dentistry admissions and recruitment office as the ‘front porch’—a place to welcome, encourage and usher into dentistry future generations of oral health providers and leaders. Burnished in my mind and heart are cherished mountaintop experiences and remarkable individuals who made my 38-years at WVU extraordinary.”
Price has been recognized with numerous awards throughout her career including the WVU Women in Science and Health Excellence Award, WVU School of Dentistry Distinguished Alumnus Award, WVU Chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Service, WVU Most Loyal Faculty Mountaineer Award, National Dental Association Foundation/Colgate-Palmolive Faculty Recognition Award and Phenomenal Woman Trailblazer Award and election to the American College of Dentists.
In 2018, Price was honored with the Neil S. Bucklew Social Justice Award for her outstanding leadership, courage and support in the areas of social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion.
At the time, Meshea Poore, vice president of the WVU Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, said: “Dr. Price has been a trailblazer her entire career. Throughout her years of service, she has shattered every barrier placed in her path and has a recognized commitment to ensure that others are able to do the same.”
Price was the dental school’s first faculty member to be named a fellow in the prestigious Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine® (ELAM) Program for Women at Drexel University College of Medicine. Her leadership has been demonstrated at WVU in many ways, including the implementation of the WVU Kuwaiti Dental Program, development of Discourse and Dine 2000: Dentistry’s Discussion on Diversity Continues and creation of the Promoting a Culture of Humanism training session. She has also held many leadership positions including chair of the American Dental Education Association Dental School Admissions Officers Section and Minority Affairs Advisory Committee, chair of the WVU Health Sciences Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and member of the WVU Health Sciences Faculty Development Advisory Committee.
Her advocacy work has included more than $1 million in funded projects by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and W.K. Kellogg Foundation to address access to oral healthcare and foster a diverse dental workforce and an Access to Dental Careers grant to support retention of under-represented minority students and individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
She is the author of numerous journal articles and co-authored “Undaunted Trailblazers: Minority Women Leaders for Oral Health,” a collection of stories highlighting perseverance and achievement.
In addition to a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, Price earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from WVU and Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Charleston in Charleston, West Virginia.
Dr. Jonathan Abraham, assistant professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry, has been named interim associate dean for admissions, recruitment and access following Price’s retirement.
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jw/9/19/24