Dr. Michael A. "Mickey" Webb Scholarship Fund Established

Mike and Julie Simmons of Charlotte have established a $20,000 scholarship fund with the Dental Foundation of North Carolina Inc. and the UNC-CH School of Dentistry in honor of family friend and orthodontist, Michael A. "Mickey" Webb. The Dr. Michael A. "Mickey" Webb Scholarship fund will provide support to DDS students at the school. Selection of the annual scholarship recipients will be based on academic performance and financial need.

Webb, a 1978 graduate of the UNC School of Dentistry, received his specialty training in orthodontics from St. Louis University, has worked for 19 years in Charlotte and helped many families such as the Simmonses improve their children's oral health.

"I have a philosophy where I try to help people," Webb said. "I never want my friends or other parents to be in a situation where they feel financially burdened to put their children in braces."

When Mike Simmons, one of Webb's golfing buddies, was diagnosed with cancer, Webb assured him that his children would receive orthodontic care regardless of Simmons' ability to pay the bills. Webb said his friend had enough to pay for and worry about.

By establishing the Webb Scholarship, the Simmonses want to encourage other practitioners and students to give back in similar ways.

"Our hope, by establishing this scholarship, is that the recipients would follow in Mickey's footsteps and perform work for people in need," Julie said. "Our prime objective is to honor Mickey."

Webb, a native of Sneads Ferry, N.C., hopes that the scholarship will allow students from rural areas to attend dental school and eventually give back to their local communities. He decided upon hearing about the Simmons' gift that he would also contribute to the fund and is encouraging friends and colleagues to do the same.

"Perhaps this will have a ripple effect on other orthodontists in the community to participate in funds like this," Simmons said.

Both Simmons are graduates of the University of Nebraska and have lived in Charlotte for about 10 years. He is retired as the former executive vice-president of sales at US-LEC, a Charlotte-based communications company, and she is a retired registered nurse. Webb.

"Mickey has done a lot for our family and children. But it's not just what he has done for us that gave us the idea to honor him with a scholarship fund," Simmons said. "Mickey has helped other families in the community as well."

Webb said he was both surprised and honored by the Simmons' contribution and hoped to see the scholarship fund grow in future years. "We hope to get more money in the fund so someday a student can receive money for each year of his/her education, and then maybe they will also give back to the school and others because of this generosity."

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