By Erika Matich | University Communications
AURORA, Colo. – University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus continues its ongoing commitment to student veterans with the opening of the CU Heroes Clinic, thanks to a $1 million gift from Delta Dental of Colorado.
The clinic opens Aug. 25.
In collaboration with the CU Denver Office of Veteran Student Services, the CU Heroes Clinic will provide free dental care for military veterans enrolled in a degree program at CU Denver or CU Anschutz.
Many student veterans do not qualify for or receive coverage for dental care when they leave military service. The Heroes Clinic will address this gap, providing services which will supplement health care provided through the Veteran’s Administration.
“We’re working every day to serve our large student veteran population and to be a military-friendly university,” said Patrick Browne, director of Veteran Student Services at CU Denver. “The Heroes Clinic is one more way we can ensure our student vets on both campuses have the resources they need to focus on their education.”
Staffed by faculty and fourth-year students at CU’s School of Dental Medicine, the Heroes Clinic will operate selected weekdays during the fall semester with plans to expand in the spring of 2015. Every dollar donated by Delta Dental of Colorado to the Heroes Clinic will go toward the cost of preventive and restorative dentistry.
“These student veterans have given so much to our country that they truly are heroes, who are deserving of a Heroes Clinic established specifically for them,” said Kate Paul, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Colorado. “We are honored to work with CU Denver | Anschutz to provide this much-needed service.”
The Office of Veteran Student Services (OVSS) at CU Denver | Anschutz supports hundreds of students with military connections. In addition to assisting student vets with the adjustment from military to campus life, OVSS also helps with the transition to civilian careers as the college experience comes to an end. In conjunction with the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, a program called ”Boots to Suits” enlists the support of the business community in metro Denver matching student veterans with mentors, offering internships that provide relevant work experience and offering assistance in the search for permanent jobs.
“Student veterans are an underserved population that we are committed to providing with high-quality dental care,” said Denise Kassebaum, DDS, MS, dean of the CU School of Dental Medicine. “Ours is one of the first universities in the nation to create a clinic specifically for student veterans, and it would not be possible without the incredible generosity of Delta Dental of Colorado.”