Dr. Andrew C. Cobb, a faculty member for The Dawson Academy, was recently presented with the 2008 Small Business Humanitarian of the Year Award for his efforts with Somos Amigos Medical Missions, a non-profit, public charity corporation that provides medical and dental care to people living in a rural area of the Dominican Republic.
Dr. Cobb of Bethesda, MD, was presented the award along with Dr. Gael M. Delany of Chevy Chase, MD, and Dr. Michael T. Keegan of Rockville, MD for working to create a state-of-the-art clinic that provides medical and dental care to thousands of people who otherwise would have no access to health care. Not only does Dr. Cobb, along with Dr. Delany and Dr. Keegan, donate their time to the effort, they have also worked to assemble a team of dedicated dentists and physicians who will also provide complimentary dental and medical care to the local citizens.
“Initially once a year and then twice a year for the past five years, and beginning in 2008 three times a year, our volunteers travel to Naranjito in the Dominican Republic to staff our clinic,” Dr. Cobb explains. “We have become the physicians and dentists for these simple, but grateful people. What makes Somos Amigos Dental Clinic unique in a third-world country is that we strive to create a state of dental health which can be sustained over a lifetime. Prevention, restorations, prosthetics, and even endodontic treatments are offered. We have seen a great improvement in the dental health of the children in the immediate area because of their visits to our clinics. Most of our patients travel by foot or mule to reach our clinic, and many of our patients travel two to three hours each way for an opportunity to be seen by our professionals,” Dr. Cobb adds.
The Dawson Academy couldn’t be more proud to be affiliated with a dentist like Dr. Cobb who is commited to providing optimal care for each one of his patients, regardless of where they may live.
“The Dawson Academy would like to congratulate Dr. Cobb for receiving an award for such a fantastic cause,” explains Jon Forrest, President and CEO of The Dawson Academy. “We encourage our faculty members to participate in worldwide dental outreach programs that help the less fortunate, and there’s no better example of that type of commitment than Dr. Cobb. We are extremely honored to have him here at The Dawson Academy,” Forrest adds.
