Pam Hanson
Pam Hanson Scholarship: Honoring a Compassionate Leader
Pam Hanson was someone you couldn't forget.
Her buoyant optimism touched everyone in her orbit. She made a difference not only through her inclusive, compassionate leadership over nearly 30 years in Kirkwood's dental programs, but also in her caring support and mentoring of colleagues, students, friends, and family. At the end of each email, she added Life is short - smile often.
Even through 13 years of ongoing, debilitating treatment for breast cancer, Pam rarely missed work and kept strong her upbeat attitude. But in October 2018 she passed away, leaving a void that those around her still feel.
So, what better way to honor Pam than through an endowed scholarship in her name for students in Kirkwood's Dental Assisting program. Thanks to her colleagues Shaunda Clark, Dental Hygiene program director, and Kristee Malmberg, Dental Assisting program director, that remarkable effort planted a seed that quickly grew.
It requires $15,000 to endow a scholarship. The scholarship in Pam's name drew contributions throughout 2019 from nearly 100 sources, thanks to outreach by the two dental programs working with the Kirkwood Foundation. In less than a year, the effort raised $16,345, setting a record for the most funds raised by faculty for a scholarship at Kirkwood.
Contributions came from alumni, current and retired Kirkwood dental faculty, Kirkwood dental advisory committee members, the University of Iowa dental office, local dental offices, current and retired dentists, dental vendors and partners, and Pam's family and friends.
"We're trailblazers," Kristee says, smiling. "We're the first faculty department to raise more than the goal in less than a year. It was so inspirational. I know Pam is looking down from somewhere. She'd be pleased."
Pam's scholarship will perpetuate her legacy, providing key support for Kirkwood Dental Assisting students. The first scholarships will be awarded to students in fall 2021.
Shaunda and Kristee's bond with Pam ran deep. Shaunda and Pam started working together in 1997. Kristee and Pam were classmates in Kirkwood's dental program, graduating in 1977. From there, Pam completed her Master's degree in Dentistry at the University of Iowa's College of Dentistry and worked there. Kristee worked at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. They reconnected working in Iowa City years later and worked to establish a VA Dental Clinic/Kirkwood connection enabling Kirkwood dental students to rotate through clinical experiences.
"She did a lot of work behind the scenes with student involvement," Kristee recalls. Kristee became an adjunct and then full-time faculty member at Kirkwood. During Pam's medical leave and retirement, Kristee was interim and then full-time director of the Dental Assisting program.
"Pam was such a compassionate person and always an advocate for the underdog," Kristee says. "She was always positive."
Through Pam and those she mentored, Kirkwood's dental programs have made remarkable connections within the community and gained respect for their training. And, Shaunda added, the two programs work seamlessly together, a partnership that is unique among dental programs.
"Sometimes we have to set aside our personal needs to get things done," Shaunda says. "Pam taught me how to understand the other side in any endeavor."
Pam modeled that approach in working with peers as well as students. She also stressed the importance of teaching students how to work to really learn key concepts and practices, Shaunda notes, pointing to a sign on her desk that Pam gave her: The best teachers show you where to look but don't tell you what to see.
Professionals in the community respect Kirkwood's dental programs and hire its graduates because they know the training is solid. That's something on which Pam, Shaunda, and Kristee agreed.
