Eleanor Fornetti Dental Assisting Scholarship Winners Announced

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Dr. John Fornetti presenting the Eleanor Fornetti Dental Assisting Scholarship to Emily Elmer and Tory Christensen.

The John Fornetti Dental Center is proud to announce Emily Elmer of Iron Mountain, Michigan and Tory Christensen of Marquette, Michigan as the recipients of the “Eleanor Fornetti Dental Assisting Scholarship.” Each scholarship is valued at $1,250 and is being applied towards Bay College West Campus’s Dental Assisting Training Program that kicked-off on March 29, 2021.

In 2003, Dr. Ted and Eleanor Fornetti generously donated their 25-acre parcel of land, which was the catalyst in the implantation of Bay College’s West Campus. In Dickinson County, the surname “Fornetti” is commonly associated with the field of dentistry with nine dentists coming from the family. However, it was the matriarch Eleanor Fornetti, who was the first family member to work in the field. While Ted was in dental school, she worked as a dental assistant for Dr. J. C. O’Donnell in Iron Mountain. In later years, she also assisted and managed Ted’s dental practice.  Eleanor was passionate about education, and would have continued on with college if there had been a local option at that time.

The recipients are eager to get started in the field of dentistry. Emily Elmer shared, “The monetary burden of continuing education is real, but with this scholarship, it eases the burden off myself and my parents. It makes it easier to pursue the new-found passion in dental assisting and I am forever grateful for the opportunity.” Tory Christensen commented, “Receiving this scholarship relieves the financial stress of affording this educational opportunity. I’m grateful for that peace of mind.  Dr. John is helping me open the door to a career that will better my family’s future and aid me in achieving professional growth.”

The launch of Bay College West Campus’s Dental Assisting Training Program can largely be attributed to the support and guidance from The Dr. John Fornetti Dental Center. “My parents would be so excited to have a dental assisting program offered here at Bay College West Campus. My mother Eleanor would be especially proud because she opted out of college to stay home to take care of her ill mother. Had an offering like this existed, she could have cared for her mother while pursuing more education,” Dr. John Fornetti explained.

For more information on Bay College’s Dental Assisting Training Program call 906-302-3012.