St. Joseph Health Ministries presents Starfish Award to Ross
Dr. Peter J. Ross, the volunteer dental advisor to St. Joseph Health Ministries since 2004, is the recipient of the organization’s 2010 Starfish Award.
The award borrows its name from “The Star Thrower,” an essay by Loren Eiseley. In it, a boy shrugs off the daunting task of saving hundreds of starfish washed up on a beach. He throws one starfish into the surf and pronounces, “I made a difference for that one.”
Similarly, the Starfish Award recognizes individuals and organizations that make a positive contribution to St. Joseph Health Ministries’ mission: to improve the health of children in need within Lancaster County.
Ross has worked closely with the “Brush. Brush. Smile!” dental team to ensure top-quality care, provided guidance on policies and procedures, and donated care to children whose needs exceeded the capabilities on board St. Joseph Health Ministries’ mobile dental clinics.
“He just goes above and beyond,” said Susan Scott, director of operations for St. Joseph Health Ministries.
Ross is in private practice with Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates on Lititz Pike. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and has a certificate in pediatric dentistry from Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Brush. Brush. Smile!®‘s two 40-foot mobile dental clinics – each known as the “Brush Brush Bus” – provide free dental care to economically disadvantaged children throughout Lancaster County.
Since its debut in 2004, Brush. Brush. Smile! has provided more than $2.2 million worth of free dental care and oral health education to 23,000 children in Lancaster County’s 16 school districts.
St. Joseph Health Ministries (www.sjhm.org) improves the health of children in need within Lancaster County.
From left, Coleen Kayden, chair, St. Joseph Health Ministries board of directors; Dr. Peter Ross, volunteer dental advisor to St. Joseph Health Ministries and 2010 Starfish Award winner; Susan Scott, director of operations, St. Joseph Health Ministries.
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