He recently found a different way to create smiles – a building/land donation to Mid-South Community College that netted the MSCC Foundation much-needed funding for various programs.
“This is an amazing gift from Dr. Burris, and we are all humbled and challenged by his generosity,” said MSCC President Dr. Glen Fenter.
“In his practice, Dr. Burris focuses on improving self-image, boosting confidence, and enhancing the lives of his patients. We see the work of Mid-South Community College in much the same way, and Ben’s contribution gives us additional resources to continue making a profoundly positive impact on our region.”
The donated property was formerly a dental office located in Blytheville, Ark. Through Dr. Burris’ friendship and business relationship with MSCC Foundation Director Matthew C. Glass the property was donated and sold within a three-week time frame.
Local Realtor and former MSCC Foundation Board member Jack Poff assisted with the sale of the property and donated a portion of his agent fee back to the Foundation. Board chairman Franklin Fogleman Jr. facilitated the closing for the property and waived his fee.
Glass, an active supporter of the College, particularly through his involvement with the Greyhound 5K Run/Walk and other activities and events, said Dr. Burris enjoys the opportunity to help others.
“Ben has always been good to the communities he serves,” said Glass, President and CEO of Fidelity Insurance Group. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Ben on a number of projects over the years, both professional and philanthropic, and I can tell you this much, as much success as he has achieved in the business world, he is an even better friend. Ben has always given back to the communities he serves, it’s just a part of his DNA I think.”
Dr. Burris is no stranger to the work of foundations. He created the model for and founded the first chapter of Smile for a Lifetime Foundation (www.S4L.org), which provides orthodontic scholarships to deserving children. S4L now has more than 118 chapters across the U.S. and Canada, and since its inception in November 2008, the foundation has provided more than $16 million in free care for children in desperate need and otherwise without access to care.
All of Ben’s offices participate in the foundation, and since the program’s inception of his NE Arkansas Chapter of S4L, they have awarded more than 150 scholarships.
Dr. Burris graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., with a B.S. in biology prior to earning his D.D.S. from the University of Tennessee-Health Science Center’s College of Dentistry in 2001 and completing his orthodontic residency and receiving his M.D.S. in 2004.
After purchasing his first, small practice right out of residency, Dr. Burris expanded his business to include more than a dozen locations across Arkansas and Missouri in less than seven years. He then sold all but five of his practices, which allowed him to pursue his other interests and initiatives in the industry.
Driven by his keen entrepreneurial spirit, he now owns/operates twelve practices across the state of Arkansas, making his the largest individually-owned orthodontic practice in the country.
Ben lectures routinely to dental students, orthodontic residents and practicing doctors across the country and enjoys his role as Clinical Professor of Dental Medicine at Roseman University in Las Vegas where he helps teach the business and practice of orthodontics to the next generation.
Dr. Burris is the founder and an active member of the exclusive ProOrtho Business Study Group. He is also co-owner and a frequent contributor to “The Progressive Dentist” (www.TheProDentist.com) and “The Progressive Orthodontist” (www.TheProOrtho.com) magazines, which focus solely on teaching the business of running a practice and providing real-world tips on managing a successful dental business.
Burris, named Business Executive of the Year by Arkansas Business in 2012, attributes his success to his employees.
“We deliver a great product affordably, and we build offices where there is a need for providers,” he said. “But it’s our customer service that makes us different. We would be nothing without our wonderful people.”
For additional information, please visit www.DrBurris.com, or contact him at bgbdds@yahoo.com or 870-926-5321.
The MSCC Foundation, Inc. is an independent charitable organization created to raise and oversee funds donated in support of the college’s efforts to meet the needs of Crittenden County. It operates under a tax exempt 501(c)(3) status.
The Foundation accepts gifts of all kinds including cash, check, or credit card; pledges; corporate matching; in-kind (for educational and/or fund-raising purposes); memorials and tributes; naming opportunities; property; equities and securities; decreased value assets; and planned (will/living trust/life insurance).
For information on giving to the MSCC Foundation, please contact Patti Coleman, Director of Advancement, at (870) 733-6764 or pdcoleman@midsouthcc.edu.
The Mid-South Community College Foundation, which administers more than 70 scholarships, offers direct online giving opportunities through the College’s website, www.midsouthcc.edu (point to MSCC Portal and click on MSCC Foundation and then on Give Now).
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