OUTSTANDING DENTAL SERVICE AWARD
Thomas E. Gelhaus, D.D.S., Dent '84
Owen, Wis.
Tom has used his skills to help developing nations for more than 25 years through dental mission work.
As a baby, Tom was baptized at Church of the Gesu by the School of Dentistry鈥檚 chaplain, Rev. William J. McEvoy, S.J. During the service, Father 鈥淢ac鈥� announced, 鈥淗ere鈥檚 a little Jebbie鈥� 鈥� and so it was destiny. Tom became a third-generation graduate of 蜜桃影像, following in the footsteps of his father, uncle and brother.
Working hard, sharing what you have and being humble are values that have been passed from each generation to the next. As founder of the nonprofit Muchas Sonrisas Inc., which translates to 鈥渕any smiles,鈥� he helped establish or assist at clinics in Bolivia, Peru, Honduras and Guatemala. The corporation extends its reach and accessibility by offering portable clinics in areas without dental facilities.
鈥淭he children who I treat bring me face to face with Jesus in a special way,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he conditions I encounter in the mission field continuously remind me that we in the United States are 鈥榯he rich man,鈥欌�� and as told in 1 Peter 4:10, 鈥淓ach of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.鈥�
Previously an adjunct instructor at Marquette, Tom has been practicing dentistry in Clark County, Wis., since 1985, seeing about 2,000 active patients. His practice provides one 鈥渇ree mission day鈥� a month, treating families for no fee. Tom鈥檚 wife, Mary, daughter, Nellie, and sons Eddie, Kit and Tim often accompany Tom on his mission trips.
Fun facts:
Dream dinner guest: 鈥淎lthough he passed away almost 20 years ago, I鈥檇 like to have dinner with my dad one more time, and receive a few more wisdom-filled nuggets from him (Edward Gelhaus, Dent 鈥�53).鈥�
Marquette faculty or staff member who had an impact: Sister Gloria 鈥� 鈥淪he always tried to make life easier for students. She taught me the way to earn love and respect is to treat people with love and respect. Her humility is something we can only grasp at.鈥�
Favorite Marquette memory: Attending basketball games with his dad
Most influential person: 鈥淭he saying goes 鈥榁alues are caught not taught.鈥� My parents have been most influential in that regard.鈥�
