interest in dentistry with our local students who will one day want to pay it back to the communities where they began their journeys.
The MDA has created a Rural Health Initiative Ad Hoc Committee that is working to address the dire need of dentists and dental team members in rural areas. In your opinion, and from discussions with other Committee members, what do you think is the most important thing we can do as a profession to really move the needle on this issue? I think introducing rural students to healthcare professions (from a young age) and establishing supportive relationships with mentors in their communities is essential to the success of bringing invested dental professionals back to our rural areas. Scholarships or forgivable loans are an enticing motive to attract students, but what is best for the community is someone who has a vested interest in the people they serve and the area they live.
Of all your current activities — dental, civic, personal — is there something you are particularly excited about being a part of? I was asked to serve as one of the 2024 St. Francis Foundation Gala Ambassadors which was very meaningful and a lot of fun. The focus this year was on women’s health, and I was grateful to serve beside some amazingly strong individuals who are making a difference in our area and beyond. I had the chance to share about the importance of dentistry in the health of women of all ages and was able to network with other community-minded individuals as they shared their stories. The event was a huge success and raised more than $280,000 that will be used to expand women’s health resources at our local hospital. It was amazing to see our rural community come together in support.
Tell us about yourself outside of dentistry … family, hobbies, favorite way to spend free time, what recharges you outside of dentistry? I live on our family farm in Parnell, Mo., with my husband, Kelly (we celebrate 15 years of wedded bliss in July—just ask him!), and our sweet and funny daughters, Regan (9) and Tori (3). I enjoy camping, boating, hosting parties and traveling anywhere.
You have a penchant for wild costumes and creative YouTube videos with your dental team. Tell us more about that. Do you think other dentists need to “loosen up” or engage differently with their patients and community?We have had so much fun over the years making those goofy videos, and our patients are always asking when the next one is coming. As dentists we have a duty to be knowledgeable and professional, but I also think it’s important for our patients and our teams to see us as genuine, relatable people. Laughter is the best medicine after all!
Additional Association Awards
The following additional awards were presented at the MDA House of Delegates Awards Banquet:
Honorary Membership, Dr. Mike Medovic — It is the privilege of the MDA Board of Trustees to award honorary membership to any individual, dentist or not, who has made outstanding contributions to the advancement of the art and science of dentistry and to organized dentistry. This year is Dr. Medovic’s last as our ADA Sixth District Trustee. However, this year he also embarks on his official candidacy for ADA President-Elect. We wish him the best!
Executive Director Award of Excellence, Jorgen Schlemeier — Vicki Wilbers selected Jorgen, MDA Contract Lobbyist, to receive this award in recognition of his outstanding support for the dental profession and the state of Missouri. Jorgen has been a longtime advocate for the MDA and works minor miracles at the Capitol! Although he is a paid lobbyist, Vicki chose him for this award because he has gone above and beyond for the association and the people of Missouri in oral health advocacy.
Presidential Citation — Drs. Drue Barton, Guy Deyton, Rolfe McCoy, Jackie Miller and Ron Wilkerson, and, Melissa Albertson, Mandy Lewis and Vicki Wilbers: This group was recognized by Dr. Jeremy Bowen for their outstanding service to the MDA Expanded Function Dental Assistant program and specifically the Oral Preventive Assistant Curriculum. While each had different roles, from clinical to administrative, they all were significant in bringing the curriculum and clinical training processes to fruition. They volunteered significant time and fit the work into existing projects and schedules. We look forward to this work materializing through the OPA Pilot Program and the positive strides we believe it can make for the dental workforce and access to preventive care in Missouri.
Staff Recognition Margie Kunze
The MDA thanks Margie Kunze, Governance Manager, for 25 years of ser- vice to the Association. Margie handles all aspects of managing the Board of Trustees and House of Delegates ad- ministrative items as well as component communications regarding these. She also is executive assistant to Vicki Wilbers, Executive Director.
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