Leadership to Legacy: Alumnus Dr. Mitch Godat’s Mission of Mercy

Dr. Mitch Godat, a graduate of the UT Health Sciences College of Dentistry and founder of the Mid-South Mission of Mercy, is proud the annual event brings the community together to help others through dentistry.

Before the first patient was seated, the doors at Bellevue Baptist Church had already opened to a line of individuals seeking care. Inside, more than 1,000 volunteers prepared treatment stations, transforming the gymnasium into a fully functioning dental clinic for the 10^th annual Mid-South Mission of Mercy.

For Mitch Godat, DDS, MS, a graduate of the University of Tennessee Health Sciences College of Dentistry, the scene represented the vision created years ago with a single trip to Arkansas.

After witnessing the impact of the Mission of Mercy clinic there, Dr. Godat and a group of colleagues returned to Memphis inspired to bring it home. The idea had been planted, but it would take collaboration to make it possible. In 2016, while serving as president of the Memphis Dental Society, Dr. Godat worked alongside fellow leaders, classmates, and mentors to establish the Mid-South Mission of Mercy. With the support of his mentor, Charles "Chuck" Woods, DDS, and a committed team, the vision began to take shape.

In the early years, when the journey was complex and uncertainty was inevitable, Dr. Woods reminded the team that even if they helped just one patient and made a meaningful difference in that person's life, then they were doing the right thing. That philosophy continues to shape the clinic's purpose today.

This year alone, more than 100 volunteers from the College of Dentistry, including faculty, staff, and dental and dental hygiene students, joined over 1,000 community volunteers to provide care to 1,686 patients, totaling nearly $1.75 million in free dental services to underserved and underinsured Mid-South residents.

More than 100 volunteers from the College of Dentistry, including faculty, staff, and dental and dental hygiene students, joined over 1,000 community volunteers to provide free care at this year's event in late February.

Among those receiving care was Thomas Knighten, who returned for a second year to continue treatment. After receiving a cleaning in preparation for fillings the following day, he described the experience as both professional and meaningful.

"The experience was really comfortable; my doctor did a wonderful job," Knighten said. "It's amazing to see hundreds of volunteers take time to help others like us and do it for free. I thank them."

Working alongside Knighten was dental hygiene student Anna Brown, one of many College of Dentistry volunteers serving throughout the weekend. For Brown, the clinic offers more than clinical experience.

"Volunteering at Mission of Mercy means so much to me, because it allows me to use my skills to serve those who might otherwise go without care," Brown said. "Oral health is deeply connected to overall health, confidence, and quality of life. I'm grateful to play a part in restoring comfort and dignity to people in need. Helping the less fortunate isn't just about providing treatment, it's about listening, showing compassion, and reminding each patient that they matter."

Though often recognized as one of the founding leaders of the Mid-South Mission of Mercy, Dr. Godat is quick to credit the team that continues to bring the event to life every year. Each year, there's one moment he looks forward to most. He steps upstairs, overlooking the gymnasium floor, and pauses.

"I look down from upstairs and see everything going on," Dr. Godat said. "You see hundreds of people, all ethnicities, helping and serving all ethnicities. Dentistry brought all kinds of people together for something greater."

Launching a clinic of this scale is never without challenges. There are logistical hurdles, last-minute adjustments, and inevitable mishaps. But for Dr. Godat, the outcome outweighs the obstacles.

"There are mishaps every year, but everything works out. The outcome is powerful and that keeps me going."

As both a founding member of the Memphis clinic and a faculty member at the College of Dentistry, Elizabeth Lee, DDS has witnessed the event's evolution from its earliest days. What began as a simple idea, she said, has grown into one of the most impactful community health efforts in the region.

"The fact that we have been able to do this for 10 years speaks to the dedication of those who are at the core of this organization," Dr. Lee said. "Each one is doing their part, and no one could do it by themselves."

Over the years, she has watched first-time volunteers marvel at the scale of the clinic, while others return annually because they feel called to serve. As the event continues to evolve, so does its reach, drawing more people into a shared commitment to care.

The Mission of Mercy offers dental students the opportunity to learn under supervision, while giving back to those in need of dental care.

For Dr. Godat, the growth remains humbling.

"When I think about how far Mission of Mercy has come, I'm most proud of how it has brought the community together through dentistry," he said. "I never imagined we would have so many volunteers coming back year after year."

As the final patients were treated and equipment carefully packed away, the pace slowed but the impact lingered. Students completed cases under the guidance of faculty and alumni, many participating in the very clinic Dr. Godat and his colleagues helped build from the ground up.

A decade after that initial trip to Arkansas, the Mid-South Mission of Mercy stands as a testament to what can happen when UT Health Sciences alumni return not only to serve but also to build alongside their community. For the College of Dentistry, it's a powerful reminder that its greatest impact often extends far beyond campus, reflected in graduates like Dr. Godat and others who remain committed to community, service, and smiles.