Gateway Campaign

Penn Dental Medicine recognizes that to maintain its level of excellence in education, research, and patient care well into the future, its physical facilities must continue to match the skills and talents of its world-class faculty and students. To that end, Penn Dental Medicine developed a comprehensive capital improvement plan, the Gateway Campaign, consisting of three phases:

Phase 1 - Construction of the Robert Schattner Center
Phase 1, the construction of the Robert Schattner Center, was completed in the fall of 2002, providing Penn Dental Medicine with state-of-the-art resources for clinical care, education, and research and unifying the Penn Dental Medicine campus by linking all three of the school's buildings.

The 70,000-square-foot Robert Schattner Center has created an environment for strengthening interdisciplinary initiatives and reaching new levels of achievement in oral health science and dental education, while better serving the community. Its clinical facilities, located on three levels, bring a myriad of enhancements to patient care. These new clinical care areas include the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic; the Oral Medicine Clinic; the Admissions/Emergency Clinic; and Penn Dental Medicine at the Robert Schattner Center, the campus location of the Penn faculty practices' Dental Care Network.

Major benefactor, Dr. Robert Schattner (D'48), played a leadership role in successfully funding this building project and also contributed funds for the completion of the exterior courtyard and gardens surrounding the Schattner Center.

Phase 2 - Renovation of the Evans Building
In Phase 2 of the Gateway Campaign, all of the clinics within the Evans Building will undergo a complete renovation and modernization. Work is well underway on this phase with the first clinic project completed - a new 4,400-square-foot Pediatric Dentistry Clinic. Located on the first floor of the Evans Building, it features 10 dental operatories, including four that are specially designed for children with special needs and those cases requiring sedation. Among its other special features is a large play area in the reception space, creating a welcoming setting for children to interact.

Major funding for the Pediatric Clinic was provided by a grant from the Health and Human Services Administration as well as major gifts from the estate of Mrs. Louise Colella in memory of her husband Rudolfo (D'29) and two anonymous donors.

Another recent upgrade to the Evans Building is the new Blanche and Leon Levy Student Lounge, completed in May 2003. Located on the first floor in the area once occupied by the oral surgery clinic, it was designed to be a welcoming work and social space for students. Sofas and stuffed chairs form comfortable conversation areas throughout the lounge with the other key features being a fully equipped computer work section and from two media entertainment centers. The lounge was made possible in part through several reunion class gifts; a student-led drive to raise funds in honor of outgoing dean, Dr. Raymond Fonseca; and a gift, which topped the goal, given by Robert P. Levy in memory of his parents, Blanche and Leon Levy (D'15). Penn Dental Medicine is continuing to move forward with plans for other Phase 2 renovation projects. The funds have been secured for the renovation of the Orthodontic Clinic and a top priority in FY04 will be funding for a new Periodontic Clinic.

Phase 3 - Renovation of the Leon Levy Center for Oral Health Research
As home to the laboratories and offices of Penn Dental Medicine's basic science departments, the Levy Center also requires upgrading to continue to meet the needs of these faculty in maintaining their leadership role in oral health research.

For information on ways to support the Gateway Campaign, contact the Office of Development and Alumni Relations at 215-898-8951.

For an update on developments in the Gateway Campaign, see the Gateway Campaign Archives.