Dental alumnus Richard Boyd shares joy in “giving while living”

On March 1, Dr. Richard and Stacy Boyd were joined by their children and grandchildren, alumni, students, employees and friends of the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine to dedicate the newly completed Dr. Richard and Stacy Boyd Lobby.

The main entrance to the college had not been renovated since it opened in the late 1960s. The renovated space is bright and welcoming. It includes a gathering space for students and large screen to share college news with visitors.

Richard Boyd, D.M.D., Class of 1982, shared the following inspirational remarks with those gathered:

Good afternoon everyone.

It is an incredible honor for Stacy and me to stand before you today as we celebrate the dedication of this lobby – an open, welcoming space that represents not just a building, but a vision for the future of dental medicine in South Carolina. This is where my dental education started in June of 1978 and where my son graduated 42 years later in 2020.

Our dental school has long been a pillar of excellence, training the brightest minds who go on to serve our communities with skill, compassion and dedication. The faculty here have shaped generations of professionals who have improved lives, not just in South Carolina, but across the country. Dr. Javed taught me and my son and today continues to serve along with Dean Huja and his leadership. And I continue to be inspired by President Cole and his administration for their relentless pursuit of perfection for MUSC to be one of the top institutions in the country and not just in South Carolina.

I have had the honor of teaching in the orthodontic residency since 2015. It is considered by many to be one of the top programs in the country. (Sorry, couldn’t resist the opportunity to brag a little bit!)

When Stacy and I chose to support this and some other endeavors, we did so with a deep belief in the power of giving back. When our kids were growing up, we let them choose their charity, and given that two out of our three children are Type 1 diabetics, JDRF* was at the top of our list. Reb and Mallory, along with our family, raised over $300K during that time period.

But I will never forget what my friend Leon said to me when he received our fundraising letter: “THANK YOU! I love giving to people and causes that I know and value.” Can you imagine someone you ask for money calls you up and says, “thank you for asking!” He donated every year for ten years.

So when I sold my practice, my friend Ed called to ask what my “next” was. I had just read a book called “Die With Zero,” so it was timely. I decided then that I wanted to be “giving while living.” Stacy and I immediately started to move our timetable for our giving – to our family, some friends who needed it, to our schools and many others. No more waiting to die to give it away.

Instead, we give with warm hearts, not cold hands!

Stacy and I hope this lobby will be more than a place to gather – but will continue to be a gateway to learning, innovation and care. It symbolizes what is possible when we invest in those who dedicate their lives to healing others.

But the work doesn’t stop here. The need for exceptional dental and medical care continues to grow, and so must our commitment to supporting those who make it possible. I encourage each of you, in whatever way you can, to be part of that mission.

Whether through scholarships, research funding or new facilities, every contribution ensures that MUSC remains at the forefront of health care for all South Carolinians.

It brings us immense joy to see this vision come to life today, and we hope it inspires others to invest in the future of MUSC. Because when we give, we don’t just build buildings – we build legacies of healing, education, and hope that benefits everyone.

Thank you.

*Editor’s note: The type 1 diabetes research and advocacy organization formerly known as JDRF is now Breakthrough T1D.

Pay It Forward

For information about how you can create an endowed scholarship for dental students, or give back in other ways, please contact the college’s development director Stephanie D. Oberempt at 843-345-8579 (cell) or oberempt@musc.edu.

To learn more about the scholarship campaign, please visit Pay It Forward.