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By: Amy Charles | December 11, 2025
The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) has been awarded a $1 million grant from the James Graham Brown Foundation (JGBF) to support the construction of UPIKE’s Tanner College of Dental Medicine (TCDM). This transformative investment marks a significant step forward in expanding oral health education and access to oral healthcare in Central Appalachia, a region that has long faced a critical shortage of dental providers.
Construction of TCDM is underway on UPIKE’s campus and will be the region’s first dental school. UPIKE leadership has a deep appreciation for JGBF’s support and its dedication to strengthening communities across Kentucky.
“For decades, the JGBF has invested in projects that will have a lasting impact on the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” said UPIKE President Burton Webb, Ph.D. “We are so pleased and grateful that they have chosen to invest in the Tanner College of Dental Medicine. We believe that, together, we can make an impact on the oral health of Central Appalachia and beyond.”
“The James Graham Brown Foundation has long admired UPIKE’s leadership and its service to Central Appalachia,” said Mason Rummel, President and CEO of the James Graham Brown Foundation. “This investment in the Tanner College of Dental Medicine reflects our commitment to advancing transformational projects that expand access to education and healthcare, strengthen communities and contribute to a brighter future for Kentucky.”
TCDM will train the next generation of dental professionals using an innovative patient-centered curriculum grounded in community-based care. Its mission is to increase access to quality oral healthcare, particularly in underserved rural areas, while offering students hands-on clinical experiences in a state-of-the-art facility. TCDM will welcome its first class of students in Summer 2026.
About the James Graham Brown Foundation
The James Graham Brown Foundation was established in 1954 by the noted lumberman, horseman and entrepreneur. Since its founding, the organization has awarded nearly 4,000 grants totaling over $685 million. The foundation funds a variety of causes and local charities working in the areas of education, human services, economic development, cultural and civic projects.