Symbolic groundbreaking marks NEOMED’s next step toward dentistry college’s opening in 2025
Oct. 14, 2024
NEOMED marked another milestone in its progress toward the 2025 opening the Bitonte College of Dentistry with a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 10, that was more symbolic than literal: Workers in fact began building out the new college’s clinical spaces months ago, and both the state-of-the-art simulation training lab and a community dental clinic are expected to be operational next year.
NEOMED administrators and trustees were joined by David Bitonte, D.O., M.B.A., M.P.H., and Gary Bitonte, M.D., for the milestone event. The brothers are directors of the Dr. Dominic A. and Helen M. Bitonte Family Foundation, which provided significant support for the development of the College with a $10-million commitment.
“I want to sincerely thank Drs. Gary and David Bitonte and the Bitonte Family Foundation for investing in NEOMED to name the Bitonte College of Dentistry with their transformational gift,” NEOMED President John T. Langell, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., M.B.A., said in his remarks at the event. “It is important to note that today’s celebration is being held in the Bitonte Family Atrium. Gary and David continue the legacy of support started by their parents.”
Frank Beck, D.D.S., FAAHD, inaugural dean of the Bitonte College, noted the importance of dental education and workforce development. “The Ohio Dental Association has identified oral health as the number one unmet health care need for Ohioans. Dental conditions represent the number one reason patients present in hospital emergency departments,” he said.
NEOMED dignitaries symbolically break ground for the Bitonte College of Dentistry. In reality, the work to build out clinical spaces for the college is well underway and will be completed next year.
He also noted the new college continues NEOMED’s tradition of meeting workforce needs.
“Fifty years ago, a group of visionaries and dignitaries stood right in this vacant dairy farm, turning the shovels to create a college of medicine," Dr. Beck said. "At the time, there was a severe shortage of primary care physicians in Ohio, but significantly, it disproportionately impacted Northeast Ohio. Fifty years later, we stand here today to address Ohio’s dental emergency.”
The Bitonte College, which received initial accreditation by the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA), will welcome its first cohort of students in Fall 2025. The Bitonte College is the first public dental school in Northeast Ohio.
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