The ideals of leadership and service to others fostered and instilled in Valli Meeks ’77 by Springfield College became innate and a part of her professional growth as an oral healthcare provider and educator for more than 40 years.
Meeks recently retired after 34 years of service at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UMSOD). In 1989, Meeks founded the PLUS Clinic, the first clinic in Maryland dedicated to providing dental treatment to patients living with HIV/AIDS. Since then, she has worked tirelessly to serve those patients and to inspire her students with a deep understanding of the importance of compassionate and inclusive care. About 650 patients each year receive treatment at UMSOD’s PLUS Clinic, and almost 98 percent of them receive care at no cost due to Meeks’ efforts. Meeks has lectured extensively about the impact of the virus on oral health and presents training clinics and workshops nationally and internationally.
Meeks is most passionate about ensuring access to oral health care for people living with HIV disease and breaking down the barriers that prevent HIV+ people from receiving dental care. She is a champion for prevention/awareness of chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, and global oral health care, particularly as it affects training oral health care providers, especially in dental education.
Ingrained in our Humanics philosophy, Meeks was determined to expand her commitment to educating future oral health care providers globally. She helped create the first dental degree program at the University of Rwanda College of Medicine and Health Sciences. This is the first and only dental school in Rwanda to offer a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree. She has continued to visit Rwanda, assisting with the dental school’s curriculum and bringing donated dental equipment for the clinics.
Meeks has been recognized by many organizations for her outstanding accomplishments. Some awards include the American Dental Education Association Gies Award for Achievement-Dental Educator, the University Systems of Maryland Board of Regents’ Faculty Award for Public Service,
“Heroes Among Us Award” for Years of Service to People Living With HIV/AIDS in Baltimore from the Greater Baltimore HIV Health Services Planning Council, and the Faculty of the Year Award, Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Services from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in recognition of outstanding service to the Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences.
