Dr. Dolly, Finally - 4/27/2007
The Dolly Award
Dorothy Carlisle Hearn Memorial Scholarship Award
Presented Annually at the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry
This scholarship is in memorial of a Senior student dentist whose earthly form was taken from us but whose spirit lives on through what she has left within us. Dorothy, or more appropriately, Dolly, was a beautiful, energetic, vibrant, and enthusiastic young woman who loved life, loved people, and who loved dentistry. Dolly worked hard in attaining her goals. She developed her inherent manual skills into those of a capable novice dentist. But more than her technical ability, she gave to her patients and to her fellow students respect, courtesy, honesty, and empathy. It is the sum of these characteristics that are embodied in our memory of Dolly’s spirit and it is these characteristics that are honored, in her name, with this memorial scholarship.
This scholarship is unique, as was Dolly’s personality. This award is not decided solely upon scholastic ability or chosen by faculty members. This award is presented to a senior dental student who is selected by the members of that class. Prior to the summer quarter, the seniors are asked to think of their fellow classmates and select that person who embodies characteristics of Dolly which we all came to admire and which we all should strive for. These characteristics can easily be remembered as the word “PEP,” and entity of which Dolly was definitely not lacking. The letters of this word stand for the qualities of:
P = Professionalism – treating him/herself, patients, and fellow classmates in a professional manner. It represents the ability of being both mentally and physically capable to perform the rigorous tasks of dentistry and giving his/her all for the good of others.
E = Empathy – treating others in need with compassion, love, and understanding, even though we may not feel like it all the time. Going that extra step, even though it may not get noticed.
P = Perseverance – striving to reach the goal, giving it your all, and just plain sticking to it, no matter the difficulty or consequences. Doing what is best for the long-term, not merely fixing an immediate problem.
This award does not honor an individual for their scholastic achievements. Although scholastic attainment can be a measure of someone’s mental capacity, this award acknowledges other aspects of human performance. It recognizes someone who, in the eyes of 50 other humans who have been watching closely for three years, has constantly striven for personal improvement through the application of hard work while maintaining a love for life and fellow people. Dolly, this was certainly you, and through this memorial we will keep these qualities ever alive along with your memory.
Donations to the Dolly Award Scholarship Fund can be sent to:
Dr. Fred Rueggeberg
MCG School of Dentistry
1120 15th St.
Augusta, GA 30912.