St. Louis Dental Center’s Dwight E. McLeod receives an Award

The St. Louis Dental Center’s Dwight E. McLeod, DDS, MS, dean and professor, ATSU-Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH), and Craig Phelps, DO, ’84, president, A.T. Still University, were recently awarded the highest honor from the Missouri Primary Care Association (MPCA) – the Samuel U. Rodgers Achievement Award.

Established in 1977 in honor of the late Dr. Samuel U. Rodgers, a healthcare provider, community activist, and national leader in health and civil rights, this award is presented to a distinguished primary care clinician who exemplifies excellence in clinical practice and leadership at the local, state, or national level.

“I thank the MPCA Board of Directors for the recognition,” said Dr. McLeod. “ATSU-MOSDOH is committed to serving communities in need. We are proud of our partnership with MPCA as we work tirelessly to address oral healthcare disparities in Missouri.”

As ATSU-MOSDOH dean, Dr. McLeod leads the School’s faculty and staff at the St. Louis Dental Center, located at 1500 Park Ave., St. Louis, Missouri. Since the inception of the St. Louis Dental Center, a partnership between ATSU-MOSDOH and Affinia Healthcare, Dr. McLeod has worked to expand dentistry in the St. Louis region and throughout Missouri. Alan Freeman, MBA, FACHE, president and chief executive officer, Affinia Healthcare, and his staff have played an integral role in the success of the St. Louis Dental Center and the innovative relationship with ATSU-MOSDOH. Mr. Freeman was the 2017 recipient of the MPCA Samuel U. Rodgers Achievement award.

MPCA is a non-profit membership organization supporting increased access to comprehensive primary healthcare. MPCA represents Missouri’s community health centers and promotes the development of programs and systems that assist in the delivery of high quality, accessible, and personalized primary healthcare services to urban and rural populations across Missouri. MPCA advocates for policies and programs that assure access to healthcare for all.

“The Missouri Primary Care Association selected Dr. Phelps and Dr. McLeod to receive our association’s most prestigious award, the Dr. Samuel Rodgers Achievement Award,” said Joseph Pierle, MPA, chief executive officer, MPCA. “MPCA and its member community health centers appreciate the relationship we have with Drs. Phelps and McLeod, ATSU, and its students. Together, we are positively impacting the lives of thousands of vulnerable individuals in Missouri. We are proud of our collaboration with ATSU. For this, we are grateful.”

The St. Louis Dental Center offers high quality, comprehensive, and affordable oral healthcare services for patients of all ages in a new, state-of-the-art 79,000-square-foot clinical training facility with 93 dental chairs. Dental care is provided for the St. Louis community by Affinia Healthcare dentists and staff and ATSU-MOSDOH faculty and dental students. To learn more about St. Louis Dental Center services and to schedule an appointment, call 314.833.2700. Additional information is available at stldentalcenter.org or facebook.com/stldentalcenter.

About A.T. Still University (ATSU)

Founded in 1892 as the nation’s first college of osteopathic medicine, A.T. STILL UNIVERSITY provides graduate-level education in whole person healthcare. Recognized internationally for its integrated approach, ATSU equips students with the knowledge, compassion, and hands-on experience needed to address the body, mind, and spirit. The University now comprises Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Graduate Health Studies, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, Arizona School of Health Sciences, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona, and Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health. For more information, visit www.atsu.edu.