Former Scholarship Recipient Gives Back
When Dr. Patel earned his undergraduate degree in just two years instead of four, the scholarship followed him for the first two years of his enrollment in the College of Dentistry. But even with scholarship support, the costs of completing his DDS at Ohio State and MS in orthodontics at West Virginia University saddled Dr. Patel with $200,000 in student loan debt. He carried the burden of this debt as he opened the doors to Pasha Orthodontics, his first orthodontic practice that serves the Chicago suburbs of Naperville, Aurora and Plainfield, Illinois.
Dr. Patel has not forgotten that journey -- and knows it is even more challenging for students today. In 2011, he created the Patel Dental Scholarship to help Ohio State dental students pursue their dreams, just as his scholarship helped him pursue his own dream of becoming an orthodontist.
“Graduates have huge debts from increased costs of schooling and then shrinking salaries on the other end,” said Dr. Patel, who notes that the average orthodontist now graduates with over $500,000 in student loan debt. “I know that’s a stress. I felt fortunate to have received scholarship money and know that someone’s gift set that in motion. I’m happy to pay that forward.”
"I consider the College of Dentistry to be part of my extended community and want it to continue to prosper in the future. When they say charity starts at home, to me that means you give to the communities around you."
In addition to creating a student scholarship, Dr. Patel has contributed to the Building on Strong Foundations campaign in support of the Postle Hall expansion. He also recently endowed a fund that can be spent at the dean’s discretion for priority needs and opportunities. Having served as class president during all four years of the DDS program, Dr. Patel developed relationships with then-Dean Henry Fields and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Dennis McTigue. Those relationships inspired his gift to provide college leadership with flexible funding. He created a similar fund at West Virginia University’s orthodontic program, as well.
Providing this support is important, said Dr. Patel, because he's seen well-respected schools of dentistry close in the Chicago area as for-profit dental schools proliferate. He wants to ensure his colleges remain competitive amid a difficult climate. "If you want your alma mater to survive, you have to give back," he said.
Dr. Patel and his wife, Shefali Shah, a clinical psychologist, have a daughter, Raya, who is a junior studying biology and business at Ohio State. Their daughter Ayana is a junior in high school who enjoys dancing and playing golf for her school. The family displays their Buckeye spirit by coming to football games and maintaining close ties with the college.
While he humbly points out that his gifts "aren't huge" at this point in his life, he firmly believes that alumni should give back at all stages of their careers. "A lot of people wait until they die to give, but I've always felt that charity should be part of your living existence," said Dr. Patel. "If you want to do something, start giving early."