well as enjoy a relaxing weekend at the Lake of the Ozarks. As we have grown, we have outgrown two venues and are enjoying what Margaritaville has to offer. I think MDIS has grown into the subsidiary we hoped it would over the last few years. It is truly a testament to the Missouri dentists who had the fore- sight to create the company years ago, and we continue to expand the range of services offered. I also think we are adapting the new MoDental On Demand and Solution Center into a great resource for members looking for a range of services. I really look forward to seeing how that takes off the next few years.
What are you most excited about for the dental profession and most worried about? I'm most excited about the rapid changes in technology: 3D printing, scanning and imag- ing are close to common place and will revo- lutionize our industry over the next five to 10 years. I'm most worried as an organization we are going to fail to find ways to attract mem- bership from models outside of the traditional private practice model. Failing to bring value to dentists in those practice models will lead to the demise of organized dentistry.
A casual friend would not know … I use to compete in BBQ competitions to raise money for charities and am a BBQ snob. Especially ribs. A perfect day is … spent at Rockbridge Trout Lodge or a similar venue with friends and/or family fly fishing. There is no phone reception and enough libations for full scale fish stories with dinner. I look forward to my kids getting a little older and (hopefully) get- ting more into fishing.
DR. MACK TAYLOR, TREASURER
Dr. Taylor resides in Bernie, Mo., and is a 2014 graduate of the UMKC School of Dentistry. Since 2015, He has been Chief Dental Officer of SEMO Health Network, a feder- ally qualified health center with offices in Sikeston, East Prairie, Kennett, Caruthers- ville and Bernie. His volunteer positions in organized dentistry include Southeast Dental Society Trustee to the MDA Board since 2019, and from 2017-2019, New Dentist
Committee Representative to the Board. He serves on the MDA NDC and MDA Dental Wellbeing Foundation Board of Directors. Dr. Taylor also is a past Southeast Dental Society President. He is an Adjunct Faculty Mem- ber for both the UMKC School of Dentistry and ATSU Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health. In 2022, he was awarded the UMKC School of Dentistry Young Alum- nus of the Year. In the past two years, Dr. Taylor has served on various Missouri State Dental Workgroups including to improve the Missouri Medicaid program, by increas- ing reimbursement rates and adding more covered procedure codes, and in discussions regarding dental workforce shortages and opportunities to improve. He also volunteers monthly at Smiles of Hope Dental Clinic in Dexter, Mo. Dr. Taylor was married to his wife, Jennifer, last October. His hobbies and interests include mountain biking and hiking with Jennifer and friends, home and auto im- provement projects, collecting and enjoying both bourbon and cigars, as well as traveling with family.
Why do you want to be an MDA officer; what do you feel makes you qualified for this position? What do you hope to bring to the role? I would like to be an MDA officer because I enjoy working with other members/ officers/staff to help further the advancement of dentistry in Missouri, both for our mem- bers and our patients. I feel as a public health practitioner, I bring a unique perspective to issues considered by the Board, and that I have a duty to offer my time and talents to our association, which is one of the best in the country. As treasurer, I hope to continue the legacies of our previous officers by provid- ing sound financial insight and potential ways to increase non-dues revenue. I also hope to help keep the MDA growing and providing more opportunities to students and young practitioners.
DR. AMANDA FITZPATRICK, SPEAKER Dr. Fitzpatrick resides in LaPlata, Mo., and since graduation from UMKC School of Dentistry in 2009 has been an associ-
ate at Long Branch Dental Group, which has offices in Macon, Moberly and LaPlata. She also serves as a SIM Clinic instructor at ATSU Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health in Kirksville. Her volunteer positions in orga- nized dentistry include serving on the ADA Council on Dental Practice and former ADA Delegate. She has served as Northeast Dental Society Trustee to the MDA Board since 2018 and was a member of the MDA NDC from 2014-2019. Dr. Fitzpatrick serves on the MDA Education Committee and is CE coordinator for NEDS. In 2018, she was co-chair of the Missouri Mission of Mercy Clinic in Kirksville. In 2019, Dr. Fitzpatrick was honored as an ADA 10 Under 10. Dr. Fitzpatrick is a Fel- low of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy. Her current community involvement includes Macon County Schools Dental Screenings and board member of the LaPlata Public Library. She and her husband Clint have two daughters Morgan (10) and Emma (8). Her hobbies and interests include reading, golfing, kayaking, singing and getting together with friends.
Why do you want to be an MDA officer; what do you feel makes you qualified for this position? What do you hope to bring to the role? I decided to pursue being the Speaker for a few different reasons. I have enjoyed my time serving as Northeast Trustee and would enjoy continuing to serve the or- ganization in this new role. I thought holding the position of Speaker would help me to gain a more detailed knowledge of the bylaws and structure of the organization. As a full-time working mom, I hope to encourage other young dentists who might see themselves be willing to take on leadership roles either locally or on a state level. I feel like the many roles I have held within our component soci- ety have allowed me to interact with different age groups of dentists. Being approachable and relating to others are traits I hope to use as Speaker to encourage new members of the House to ask questions, continue serving as delegates and possibly to become more involved. I really hope to encourage members you don’t have to feel like you know every- thing going on in organized dentistry to serve. In serving you will learn and be rewarded in doing so.
ISSUE 5 | SEP/OCT 2022 | focus 13
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