February 2024

Before coming to PACHC and taking the lead on the Pennsylvania Primary Care Career Center, I worked exclusively in physical health for 27 years. I was PR director at a local hospital and then a marketing and communications director at the Pennsylvania Medical Society. But working at PACHC opened my eyes to the importance of oral health and dental care in truly integrated primary care. I would say, however, that my personal interest in oral care goes further back. My mother struggled with “soft teeth,” probably the result of poor oral care growing in rural PA. She battled throughout her life to keep her teeth, which she did for the most part. She emphasized to me and my sisters the importance of taking care of your teeth, and my wife and I have continued that with our children. 

When I started at the Career Center, Cheryl Bumgardner was part of this group she called “Pee-Co,” aka PCOH. She introduced me to Lisa Schildhorn and I started attending a few of the meetings. It was an interesting group of folks, and I was fascinated by the range of people and organizations interested in oral health. For example, I was familiar with Eve Kimball, MD, from the Pennsylvania Medical Society, but I didn’t know she was so invested in children’s oral health.

Recruiting and RETAINING dental hygienists and dental assistants in Community Health Centers. There just aren’t enough candidates for the jobs that are open, and when you find them, it’s hard to hold onto them. The COVID-19 pandemic was particularly rough on our Community Health Center dental workforce and we haven’t fully recovered. The second would be recruiting dentists, but they are an easier target to hit. I can go to Pitt, Temple, or Penn and talk to a hundred future dentists. (I have had one opportunity to speak to LECOM students, but they have all just done 3 years in Florida and most are not going to stay in PA.) Dentists can get loan repayment from the federal and state governments. They’re not easy to recruit, but they’re easier than hygienists and assistants.

I would love to see every child in Pennsylvania get an oral health check up at least once a year, preferably two. With the expanded access to PHDHPs, this could start to become possible. Imagine how much better our overall public health would be if children had good teeth and oral hygiene, and then grew up to continue those practices and pass them along to their children. I think about my mother and what she did for me. I wish every child heard that message and had that opportunity for care.

I’m motivated by the mission of our members, the Community Health Centers of Pennsylvania. They are bringing dental care plus medical and behavioral health care to hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens who otherwise wouldn’t have it. Many of these folks don’t have dental insurance, so they can pay a lower rate on a sliding fee scale. That’s an incredible service and is so inspiring.

I have a variety of ways to recharge. I like being outside as much as possible. During the winter I’ll bundle up on a Saturday or Sunday and take a long walk or hike. In the spring, summer, and fall you’ll find me in my vegetable garden and taking care of our yard. My daughter is in Special Olympics, so I help at Special Olympics swimming and bowling. I try to do some writing, just for my own enjoyment, and I mess around on guitar and bass. Maybe someday I’ll do an open mic night. I’m retiring in October 2024 and hope to have some more time to do these things when I’m not consulting on healthcare workforce strategies.