Service and Accountability

The West Virginia University School of Dentisty is pleased to announce the names of the most recents recipients of WVU Mountaineer Values Coins. They are recognized for both service and accountability. Click to see a small gallery of photos from the presentations. 

Carmella Meadows

Carmella Meadows is a dental assistant for the West Virginia University School of Dentistry at the WVU Dental Care clinics located at Suncrest Towne Centre in Morgantown, WV. Hired May 15, 2017, Carmella joined the team from private practice. As a Mountaineer, she embraces our value of service to others. She is committed to providing patients with the highest quality of care. Nearly as soon as she came on board, Carmella was considered to help with both tasks in the creation of the Dr. W. Robert Biddington Center for Dental Innovation and its opening. A new venture for everyone, Carmella embraced our Mountaineer value of curiosity by being a part of change through innovation. Working with Dr. Lauren Yura Godwin, the center’s director, the ribbon cutting for the center was just four short months after Carmella came on board. Beyond patient care, Carmella is a resource for our students who are aspiring dental hygienists and dentists. She is involved in direct patient care. “Carmella is a role model for others in all aspects of her job. The depth and breadth of her dental assisting knowledge, organizational skills, and commitment to continuous learning, team work and collaboration are central to our Innovation Center’s reputation for excellence,” said Donna Haid, Director of clinical Education and Patient Care. “Her contributions are recognized as facilitating a highly valued experience for our students and patients. Every employer hopes to have someone like Carmella on their team; we are very fortunate.” In addition, Carmella’s willingness to assist goes beyond her daily obligations. When asked, she often volunteers to help expedite projects. For instance, Carmella is featured in some of the school’s marketing materials thanks to her cameo appearances in video and photography shoots. Sometimes you might see her in her scrubs. Other times, she may be acting as a patient for one of our student providers. Congratulations, Carmella, for being chosen by colleagues and dental school leadership as a recipient of a WVU Values Coin.

Paula Rice

Paula Rice is a finance manager for WVU Dental Care. She joined the West Virginia University School of Dentistry clinic operations in April 2012. Paula previously worked in accounting for WVU Medicine. It is appropriate that she would be recognized as embracing accountability in her often underappreciated position. Each month, Paula pours her attention and expertise into financial reports needed for each meeting of the Board of Directors of the Dental Corporation. She performs that task while juggling dashboard reports, financial statements and all other requests that come her way. Her responsiveness and effectiveness are proof of her accountability to WVU and our values. Paula’s performance is 100% while managing to meet important deadlines despite interruption. “What impresses me most about Paula is how she maintains her complete composure even in the darkest of times. (In an accounting world, the darkest of times means a deadline in an hour, two hours of work remaining and a dysfunctional computer.) If someone walked into her office at that very moment, she would be the most polite, helpful Paula Rice we all know and depend on daily,” said Phil Sperry, Chief Business Planning Officer and colleague. Paula should also be commended for her service and commitment to our school community. That includes more than her colleagues in the Office of the Dean. “Paula is a hardworking, dedicated and honest employee who takes her work very seriously. She is always willing to help others including students, faculty, staff and patients when necessary. She is a great asset to the School of Dentistry,” said Martha Sturms, Senior Administrative Assistant in the Office of the Dean. Congratulations, Paula, for being chosen by colleagues and dental school leadership as a recipient of a WVU Values Coin.