Eric Shirley Named 2026 Dr. William Busch Legacy Award Winner by TeamSmile

 TeamSmile is proud to announce Eric Shirley as the recipient of the 2026 Dr. William Busch Legacy Award, an honor recognizing an individual whose commitment to service, leadership and improving the lives of children embodies the legacy of Dr. William Busch.

Shirley is being recognized for his longstanding dedication to advancing TeamSmile’s mission of bringing together professional sports organizations, dental professionals and communities to provide children with life-changing oral health education, screenings and comprehensive dental care.

The Dr. William Busch Legacy Award celebrates the enduring impact of individuals who share Dr. Busch’s passion for serving children and strengthening communities. Through his leadership, advocacy and commitment to TeamSmile, Shirley has demonstrated the compassion, dedication and spirit of service that define the award.”

“Eric Shirley has been a treasure for TeamSmile for two decades. As the longest-tenured Board member at TeamSmile, aside from Dr. Busch himself, he’s been a guiding light behind the scenes, and he’s also been the leader of the organization as the Chair of the Board of Directors,” said John McCarthy, Executive Director of TeamSmile. “Eric is a highly respected leader in the dental industry, yet even beyond his lofty and impressive titles, he’s a good human who genuinely cares about TeamSmile and cares about the children that we serve. What an honor it’s been to serve alongside Eric Shirley. Congratulations, Eric, on being named as the recipient of the Dr. William Busch Legacy Award.”

Shirley’s recognition highlights the importance of the dedicated partners, volunteers and leaders who make TeamSmile’s work possible. Since its founding, TeamSmile has worked to expand access to oral healthcare for children who might otherwise face barriers to receiving care, creating opportunities for children to receive critical dental services while experiencing the excitement and inspiration of professional sports.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by an organization as important as TeamSmile. I have had the privilege of being involved with TeamSmile since its inception, and I have witnessed firsthand how the organization has impacted lives over the years,” said Eric Shirley. “Dr. Bill Busch had not just the vision, but the inner strength and drive to get it off the ground. He knows all too well how our oral health is connected to our overall health, and he wanted that level of care given to children most in need.”

“Here we are, 20 years later, and the impact that TeamSmile is having is more exponentially profound and meaningful than ever. Thousands of children, thousands of volunteer clinical teams, and hundreds of sports teams all come together to deliver a life-changing experience. I’m honored and grateful to be a small part of it, and I’m deeply thankful to the TeamSmile staff and to our clinical volunteers who continue to work so incredibly hard to make it happen.”