March 2025

I grew up in a cultural environment where we only went to the dentist if in pain and preventive visits didn’t exist. As a teenager, I took charge of my own dental care and went to numerous dental appointments in a short amount of time. The exposure during that time firmed up my decision to become a dentist.

I became familiar with PCOH through my work as a dental director at a community health center that served the uninsured and Medicaid population. I was introduced to PCOH’s resources and the workgroups addressing rural healthcare needs in Central Pennsylvania. After transitioning my career to working at a health plan, I participated in many collaborative meetings hosted by PCOH to keep stakeholders informed and involved. I knew I wanted to be involved with an organization that is truly committed to its mission.

The most challenging part of my work is motivating and educating people to visit the dentist. While I understand that life can be complicated and the reasons that prevent people from seeing a dentist can be complicated too, we need people to prioritize oral health for a healthy life.

I would like more dentists to participate in Medicaid so that people have the opportunity and access to receive the care that they need.

I make an effort to be around positive people and to try to stay true to my “True North.”

Creating new adventures for my family, staying connected with friends, and making a conscious effort to set aside a few hours a week just for myself to decompress.