VCU rector says mentoring is key to success

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley

RICHMOND, Va. – Dr. W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr., Virginia Commonwealth University Rector and founder of Virginia’s largest dental practice, told young dentists today that if they are going to be successful, they need to set a good example for their patients, their staff and their community.

Perkinson made the remarks at the American Dental Association National Conference on the New Dentist in San Antonio, Texas.  He was chosen to deliver the keynote speech as the first recipient, in 2000, of the ADA Golden Apple Award for Outstanding Leadership in Mentoring.  The award recognizes an ADA member who exhibits leadership qualities and professional and ethical conduct and who volunteers as a mentor.

“Mentoring creates the ultimate win-win-win relationship between dentists, their patients and their staffs,” said Perkinson.  “It earns trust that develops into long-term relationships and continued success.”

Perkinson said he has mentored throughout his entire 32-year career as a dentist, starting with his first employee, his younger brother who was a new dentist.  Perkinson’s practice has grown to more than 200 staff at seven locations in the greater Richmond area.  He attributes his success to mentoring.

“Every day you go to work is easier if you’ve paved the way for the next day,” Perkinson said. 

Perkinson, a member of several professional and community organizations, said his relationship with the community has grown stronger because of mentoring – in dentistry as well as art.  As a noted landscape artist, he has auctioned his paintings for fundraisers, including raising $200,000 for VCU athletic scholarships.

Perkinson was elected rector by the VCU Board of Visitors in May 2002.  He is a 1970 graduate of the VCU School of Dentistry.