Thank You

What can we say of Baxter Perkinson? His many gifts and talents make him someone to admire -- and perhaps to envy.

Perkinson has built an acclaimed dental practice. As a dentist, he ranks among the best of the best. His peers hold him in great esteem.

His philanthropy gives gladness to the world.

And he paints. His watercolors not only decorate his offices but hang in the homes of collectors. The guy is good. If he took up conducting, he probably would end up leading the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Last week Virginia Commonwealth University held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new building at its dental school. The site is named for Perkinson, who donated $2.5 million of the $20 million project. As reported by Tammie Smith last week, the building will include laboratories for research into tissue engineering to grow replacement teeth. Patients far from Central Virginia will benefit from Perkinson's professionalism and generosity. Dentistry has come a long way since the only treatment for a toothache was to pick up the pliers -- and pull.

What do we say to Baxter Perkinson?

Thank you.