March 2026

During fourth grade we did a unit on careers and I announced to my parents, “I’m going to be a dental hygienist when I grow up”. I was fascinated with the equipment at my family dentist’s office. After graduation in 1992 from West Liberty State College (WV), I immediately wanted to get my Master’s degree at WVU which I did in Community Health Education in 1995. At that time, the MPH program didn’t yet exist. I always was drawn to public health needs in rural areas, having grown up and started my career in Fayette County, WV and Summers County, WV. I understand all facets and logistics of access to care for underserved populations. I was able to teach for a few years at LCCC from 1997-99, which was my career goal. Life merged me in a different direction, but I continue to use my skills in other ways.

Having heard of the organization at continuing education courses in the past, I found the website and realized they did phenomenal work providing resources, statistics, and policy information for this profession. They have partnered with some great groups to support the statewide need for education, workforce needs, policy changes, and community presence. I chose to become a stakeholder, a self-referral of sorts.

Navigating the dental portion of the healthcare system over the last few decades. I feel that dental services should be provided to all and should be more streamlined, but not without rules. The rigidity of timeframes and frequencies with insurance can be a headache in private practice. Most recently, we have had trouble locally getting answers promptly from physicians on complex medical issues of shared patients.

Integration and respect within our “medical” system; we’re the specialists in this field, yet with growing access to care issues, dentistry is always left out of the conversation and equation when facilities are built and mobile, community ”medical” units are put into use. It’s frustrating to know the need exists but there are barriers in reaching the patients at every turn. I see a disconnect from the western half of Pennsylvania to the eastern half with lack of access as well. The need for clinical treatment facilities is beyond great for special needs patients in Indiana and surrounding rural counties.

At work, the verbal “thank yous” from all patients when they are happy with their care and getting the pediatric patients to enjoy their visits, not fear them. Baked goods from patients are a plus!!

I enjoy gardening and spending time in nature. In the community, I volunteer as a coach for Special Olympics PA, Three Rivers Region, my sons’ team in Armstrong-Indiana counties.