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UCSF Alumna's Gift Honors Brother and Fellow Grad
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James Forge
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On the surface, theirs is a typical family story.
Awestruck by his big sister, James Forge was determined to follow in Joni's footsteps—first, by enrolling in science classes at a Southern California university, then by applying to her alma mater: the UCSF School of Dentistry. Even after graduating from UCSF in 1989, James continued to imitate his older sibling, returning to the Los Angeles area to establish a private dentistry practice.
A closer look, however, reveals an unusual reversal: "James always knew what he wanted to do—I didn't," Joni laughs. "In many ways, it was I who followed him."
James's enthusiasm for dentistry began during visits to his orthodontist, who encouraged him to assist with small tasks such as pouring molds. His graduation from UCSF simply closed the first chapter of a tale that began with that boyhood dream.
Joni's adulthood decision to go into dentistry, by contrast, was "roundabout"—prompted by her brother's passion for the profession and by her experience as a dental assistant following her graduation from UC Irvine. She eventually graduated from UCSF in 1985.
"James really had an eye for dentistry," Joni recalls fondly. Sadly, her brother passed away unexpectedly from heart failure in 2002. "He was only 42," Joni says. "It was too soon."
To honor James's longtime dedication to dentistry, Joni has pledged $50,000 to establish the James O. Forge Scholarship Fund. "Thanks to UCSF, James became the dentist he always wanted to become," says Joni. "I'm convinced that this fund will help other young men and women realize their own dreams."
To support the UCSF School of Dentistry, contact Richard McKenzie at 415/476-3645 or rmckenzie@support.ucsf.edu.
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