For many, exercise is a way to decompress after a long day of work. It’s a way to reconnect with the body, stretch out the remaining tensions and boost endorphins. It’s a source of community and connection as well as pride in oneself for achieving fitness goals.

Dentists spend much of their working day sitting in a tiny chair, hunched over and craning their necks to treat patients. According to a study conducted in 2018, over 50% of dentists experience neck and back pain at some point in their careers. In order to give the best care to their patients and take care of themselves too, it’s important for dentists to make time for fitness and wellness.

Wellness can come in many different forms. For Jacob Dougall and Garrison Higgins, it’s all about running.

When Dougall and Higgins started their education at VCU School of Dentistry in 2022, they knew fitness and wellness was going to be a priority. They quickly connected not only over long hours studying and a passion for oral healthcare, but through a shared love for running.

“The most important thing for us is staying active and keeping the brain healthy, especially with all the hours we were spending in the lab,” Dougall said.

During their second year, they founded Buccal Up! Recreation Club. For Dougall and Higgins, it was an outlet for alleviating the stress of dental school.

“It’s easy to get exhausted and burnt out with the courseload,” Higgins said. “Finding some form of wellness, whether it be meditation, running, or other activities, helped us refresh our minds and absorb the information better.”

“It helps us be there for our patients, too,” Dougall added. “We have to be mentally there to balance a lot of decisions and responsibilities. Taking care of your physical and mental wellbeing is crucial.”

What started as a way to organize group runs and workouts evolved into a beloved and popular showcase for all forms of fitness and wellness for dental students.

“Running was the foundation, but we expanded into other forms of wellness too,” Higgins said. “Whether it was yoga, pilates, other sports, or even stress relievers like gardening and art, we wanted to highlight other students’ accomplishments and interests and create a community based on that.”

Running is a popular pastime in Richmond; on a sunny day, it is common to see runners of all ages and paces jogging against the backdrop of the beautiful city and the James River. There are many running and wellness groups that have popped up amongst the city’s social circles, but Dougall and Higgins sought to create something specific to the challenges of dental school.

“I had a lot of fun discovering the local races in Richmond,” Higgins said. “Learning that other students and faculty that shared in that interest was our main inspiration for starting our club.”

“We also realized that Richmond is a very active city with a lot of opportunities to participate in runs and events like River Rock,” Dougall said. “We wanted to invite and encourage other students to participate with us.”

The group had their first run in Richmond’s Church Hill neighborhood. After a two-mile run and stop at the scenic Libby Hill Park, participants stopped for ice cream and socializing.

“We were worried nobody was going to show up,” Higgins recalled with a laugh. “But we had four or five faculty members and around 15 to 20 students.”

The momentum continued with runs on the James River, the Canal Walk, and other spots around Richmond. Dougall and Higgins found ways to incorporate community service into their endeavors, such as through trash pickups and selling holiday postcards for charity. They extended their offerings beyond running as well, to include group workout classes and social gatherings.

“It’s been really rewarding to see the friendships and shared interests that have popped up between the students and faculty who have participated,” Dougall said.

Dougall and Higgins connected with faculty mentors who not only encouraged them to start the club, but were perfect examples that it was possible to balance running with the extensive coursework. They recalled having meaningful discussions with Drs Janina Lewis and Daniela Mendonça about the importance of wellness while in dental school. 

“While we often devote our energy to professional excellence such as outstanding teaching, impactful scholarship, and perfect grades, true wellbeing extends beyond the classroom and clinic. Although many clubs existed, it was not until Garrison Higgins and Jacob Dougall launched Buccal Up! Recreation that the entire VCU School of Dentistry community: students, faculty, and staff, was truly united around the joyful idea that wellness and recreation matter,” said Lewis.

“Jacob and Garrison not only excelled as students, but also truly cared about the people around them, which was clear in their decision to create the recreation club,” said Mendonça. “Watching their fun runs bring students and faculty together—and getting to join them for a few runs myself—was a great reminder of how shared wellness can strengthen our entire school community. I wish them both a very successful and fulfilling career as dentists.”

Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Higgins received his undergraduate education from William and Mary College. When his now-wife moved to Richmond for nursing school, it was a natural next step for Higgins to also move to Richmond for dental school. After graduation, he and his wife will be relocating to Baltimore as he starts an orthodontics residency at the University of Maryland.

Dougall comes from upstate New York and received his undergraduate degree from Nazareth College. Upon graduation, he will begin an advanced general dentistry residency in Fort Benning, Georgia as a military scholarship recipient. Afterwards, Dougall will serve as an Army dentist.

“I can speak for both of us when I say we will continue to prioritize health and wellness as we enter the next stage,” Higgins said.