Seton Hill University (SHU) was granted $500,000 by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration (HHS-HRSA) for their newly founded Center of Orthodontics on Mar. 1, part of the newly created Orthodontics signature degree program at SHU. U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania’s 18 Congressional District presented SHU President JoAnne Boyle with a check for the program at a ceremony held on the university’s campus.
By Andrew Wichrowski
SHU Community News Editor
Seton Hill University (SHU) was granted $500,000 by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration (HHS-HRSA) for their newly founded Center of Orthodontics on Mar. 1, part of the newly created Orthodontics signature degree program at SHU. U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy of Pennsylvania’s 18 Congressional District presented SHU President JoAnne Boyle with a check for the program at a ceremony held on the university’s campus.
“To look at how this school has made an [advanced] mark on this community with its outreach, whether it’s the arts, whether it’s the spiritual, whether it’s the medical school,” said Murphy during his speech, “it’s exciting to see one more area of growth for Seton Hill.”
The program, accredited by the American Dental Association (A.D.A), is scheduled to accommodate six residents during the program’s first year of operation.
Candidates for the program are required to have already earned either a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree (D.D.S.) or a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree.
“Upon completion of the orthodontics program at Seton Hill University, residents will possess the knowledge and the skills necessary to provide patient care in an ethical, compassionate, and socially responsible manner,” said Boyle.
The program was developed by the SHU administration in cooperation with local orthodontists, Donald and Daniel Rinchuse.
“The vision for this that it could possibly take place was from the President JoAnne Boyle and the Provost Mary Ann Gawelek,” said Donald Rinchuse.
The Rinchuse brothers will also serve as program director (Donald) and associate program director (Daniel), respectively. They will also be leaving their teaching positions at the University of Pittsburgh to serve on the board of the program.
“My brother and I, along with Dr. Gawelek, and particularly Dr. DePasquale [SHU dean of graduate & external programs], and then a consultant, Ms. Kim Kenney-Ciarimboli [M.S., R.D.H.], spent hours and hours [developing the program],” said Donald Rinchuse.
In addition to training dentists to become certified orthodontists, the center will also offer orthodontic treatment to the public at a reduced cost.
“The most important thing is that it’s going to be a potential to use orthodontics as a conduit to serve others, serve the indigent population in Greensburg that aren’t getting care,” said Donald Rinchuse. “But we still have individuals that want to have good orthodontic treatment at a lower price, that could be students, anyone in the community that wants high level treatment at probably the most economical cost.”
Donald Rinchuse cited his background as a native of Greensburg and his education as having an influence on his decision to become involved with the program.
“Going to a catholic grade school, Cathedral [now known as Aquinas Academy], I’ve had an association, relationship with Seton Hill; I was taught by the Sisters of Charity,” he said. “Being a fourth generation [Greensburger] here, to do something in the Greensburg area always appealed to me.”
Donald and Daniel Rinchuse were originally part of a volunteer program at Excela Westmoreland Regional Hospital that provided dental care for low-income families and individuals. After the program was shut down several years ago, the Rinchuse brothers felt that the best way to provide care for the people previously serviced by the program would be to have an orthodontics educational facility in the area.
“Our [SHU orthodontics program] service population is throughout the region, Westmoreland County, and within a two hour region to drive,” said Donald Rinchuse.
During his speech, Murphy stressed the importance of the practice of orthodontics and the impact the center would have on the region.
“It is very much the physical health of a kid’s oral development, very much a part of their speech health, their educational health, their psychological health, and it is something we need to pay attention to,” said Murphy. “To that extent, it is extremely valuable that we have a program like this.
“Seton Hill University is a place I have got to grow in love in, with the many events I have been invited here. I’m so proud of what Seton Hill does.”