Concorde Career Colleges Reaches $1 Million Landmark in Scholarships for Future Dental Assistants
Celebrating a Milestone in Education
On June 3, 2026, Concorde Career Colleges and the PDS Health Foundation proudly announced a significant achievement: they have collectively provided $1 million in scholarship funding to support students pursuing careers as dental assistants. This initiative is aimed at strengthening the pipeline of future oral health professionals and enhancing access to educational opportunities in the dental field.
The Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship program, established in 2016, has been a vital resource for individuals seeking to enter the dental profession. Through this partnership, both organizations have offered not just financial aid but also mentorship and hands-on training opportunities across 120 educational institutions nationwide.
Impact on Students' Lives
Kevin Prehn, President of Concorde Career Colleges, expressed gratitude towards the PDS Health Foundation for their enduring commitment to Concorde students. He believes this financial assistance stretches beyond individual recipients and touches the lives of countless patients in the community who will benefit from the services provided by these trained professionals. He highlighted the success rate of their collaboration, noting high graduation rates, job placements, and licensure achievements among their graduates.
Carli Casey, Executive Director of the PDS Health Foundation, emphasized that financial barriers often hinder students from completing their education. By removing these obstacles, the program allows students to focus entirely on their studies and professional development. She stated, "Reaching this milestone with Concorde reflects what can happen when organizations are aligned in supporting students and guiding them toward success."
A Long-standing Partnership
The collaboration between Concorde Career Colleges and PDS Health spans over two decades, beginning with externship opportunities in California. This relationship has blossomed into a robust partnership, dedicated to student mentorship and workforce development. Their commitment to clinical excellence and patient-centered care has resulted in the successful training of numerous graduates who are now entering the workforce as well-prepared dental assistants.
Data from the past three years illustrates the depth of this collaboration, with an average of 109 Concorde students receiving externships at PDS Health-supported practices annually. Approximately 60% of these externship participants were offered employment post-completion, attesting to the program's effectiveness in preparing students for real-world challenges.
Rosalinda Olague, Director of School Relations and Dental Assistant Programs at PDS Health, pointed out that students who engage in externships within their practices benefit from a solid foundation built by Concorde educators. This foundation is enhanced through practical experience and innovative technologies, allowing students to thrive in a nurturing environment focused on clinical excellence.
Personal Stories of Transformation
One standout individual, Ralph Villacorta, graduated from the Concorde-San Antonio campus after receiving the Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship in 2020. He remarked on how the scholarship transformed his life, providing both financial relief and motivation. "It made me feel I was right where I was supposed to be," Villacorta said.
After his graduation, he commenced his journey with PDS Health as a traveling orthodontic dental assistant, and eventually participated in a humanitarian trip to Guatemala. Villacorta credits Concorde with equipping him with confidence and skill for his profession, highlighting how PDS Health continued to invest in his advancement. His current position as a Specialty Lead Dental Assistant enables him to support patients while advancing his career trajectory.
Conclusion
The partnership between Concorde Career Colleges and the PDS Health Foundation signifies more than just financial assistance; it is a commitment to building a better healthcare workforce through education and mentorship. As they celebrate this milestone, both organizations look forward to continuing their journey of empowering the next generation of dental professionals, fostering success stories like Villacorta's that inspire future students to reach their full potential in the healthcare industry.
On June 3, 2026, Concorde Career Colleges and the PDS Health Foundation proudly announced a significant achievement: they have collectively provided $1 million in scholarship funding to support students pursuing careers as dental assistants. This initiative is aimed at strengthening the pipeline of future oral health professionals and enhancing access to educational opportunities in the dental field.
The Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship program, established in 2016, has been a vital resource for individuals seeking to enter the dental profession. Through this partnership, both organizations have offered not just financial aid but also mentorship and hands-on training opportunities across 120 educational institutions nationwide.
Impact on Students' Lives
Kevin Prehn, President of Concorde Career Colleges, expressed gratitude towards the PDS Health Foundation for their enduring commitment to Concorde students. He believes this financial assistance stretches beyond individual recipients and touches the lives of countless patients in the community who will benefit from the services provided by these trained professionals. He highlighted the success rate of their collaboration, noting high graduation rates, job placements, and licensure achievements among their graduates.
Carli Casey, Executive Director of the PDS Health Foundation, emphasized that financial barriers often hinder students from completing their education. By removing these obstacles, the program allows students to focus entirely on their studies and professional development. She stated, "Reaching this milestone with Concorde reflects what can happen when organizations are aligned in supporting students and guiding them toward success."
A Long-standing Partnership
The collaboration between Concorde Career Colleges and PDS Health spans over two decades, beginning with externship opportunities in California. This relationship has blossomed into a robust partnership, dedicated to student mentorship and workforce development. Their commitment to clinical excellence and patient-centered care has resulted in the successful training of numerous graduates who are now entering the workforce as well-prepared dental assistants.
Data from the past three years illustrates the depth of this collaboration, with an average of 109 Concorde students receiving externships at PDS Health-supported practices annually. Approximately 60% of these externship participants were offered employment post-completion, attesting to the program's effectiveness in preparing students for real-world challenges.
Rosalinda Olague, Director of School Relations and Dental Assistant Programs at PDS Health, pointed out that students who engage in externships within their practices benefit from a solid foundation built by Concorde educators. This foundation is enhanced through practical experience and innovative technologies, allowing students to thrive in a nurturing environment focused on clinical excellence.
Personal Stories of Transformation
One standout individual, Ralph Villacorta, graduated from the Concorde-San Antonio campus after receiving the Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship in 2020. He remarked on how the scholarship transformed his life, providing both financial relief and motivation. "It made me feel I was right where I was supposed to be," Villacorta said.
After his graduation, he commenced his journey with PDS Health as a traveling orthodontic dental assistant, and eventually participated in a humanitarian trip to Guatemala. Villacorta credits Concorde with equipping him with confidence and skill for his profession, highlighting how PDS Health continued to invest in his advancement. His current position as a Specialty Lead Dental Assistant enables him to support patients while advancing his career trajectory.
Conclusion
The partnership between Concorde Career Colleges and the PDS Health Foundation signifies more than just financial assistance; it is a commitment to building a better healthcare workforce through education and mentorship. As they celebrate this milestone, both organizations look forward to continuing their journey of empowering the next generation of dental professionals, fostering success stories like Villacorta's that inspire future students to reach their full potential in the healthcare industry.
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