Scholarship Recipients

Honored at Reception in

Grand Rapids

July 2011 Volume 6 Issue 2The Philanthropic Leader of Michigan’s Oral Health Community

TheMichiganDentalAssociationFoundationwelcomedits2011MitusScholarshiprecipientsatareceptionduringtheMDA’srecentAnnualSessioninGrandRapids.

TherecipientsandtheirfamilieswereinvitedtoattendtheMDAHouseofDelegatesmeetingonThursdaymorningtohearMDAPresidentDr.GaryJeffersspeak.Therecipientswereimpressedwiththepresident’saddressonthefutureofdentistry.CandidatesalsoenjoyedseeingtheHouseofDelegatesinactionpriortothereception.

“Theseyoungpeopleareeagerandenthusiastictobegintheircareersandperhapshavebeeninspiredtogetinvolvedinorganizeddentistry,”saidDr.MikeJennings,Foundationpresident.“Theseareexcitingtimesindentistryaswedevelopthefutureleadersoftomorrow.”

ThescholarshiprecipientsthenmadetheirwaytoaprivatereceptionsponsoredbyMDAInsurance.There,theymettheMichiganDentalAssociationFoundationBoardofDirectorsandheardencouragingwordsfromPresidentJenningsandboardmemberKathyMielkeRDH,whoservedaschairoftheFoundationScholarshipCommittee.

“Thisyear’srecipientshavethemostimpressiveresumesthusfar,”Mielkesaid.

Mielkeadded,“It’sencouragingtoseetheyouthoftodaywhowillbethefutureleadersoftomorrow.Theyareambitiousandtalented,andtheMichiganDentalAssociationFoundationisproudtocultivatesuchprofessionals.”

AformerMitusScholarshiprecipient,Dr.AlexaVitek,alsoattendedthereception.Arecentgraduate(Classof2004),shecurrentlyservesasthechairoftheMDACommitteeonMembershipandwashonoredatthisyear’sMDAmeetingwiththeMDA’s2011NewDentistLeadershipAward.Shetoldthecurrentclassofscholarshiprecipients:“Iwassittinginyourseatsevenyearsago,monthsfromgraduationandexcitedtoentertheprofession.Asyouentertheprofession,bemotivated,andcontinuetodovolunteerwork,provideservicetothecommunity,andbeaunifiedvoicefordentistry.”Sheadded:“Dogreatthings,getinvolvedinyourprofession,gotoameeting,andaskafriendtojoinyou.Whenweworktogetherwecandogreatthings!”

MDAInsurancePresidentCraigStartencouragedthestudentstotakeadvantageofalltheMDAofferstosupporttheircareers.“Weareheretoseeyousucceed,”Startsaid.HealsometwithJerekPetrous,theMDAInsurance/BillSchumannScholarshipwinnerfromtheUniversityofDetroitMercyDentalSchool,andMDAInsuranceScholarshipRecipientStevenDavisfromtheUniversityofMichigan.

TheMichiganDentalAssociationFoundationhasawarded106scholarshipsin13yearsforatotalof$122,000insupportofstudents.ThesescholarshipsareawardedtostudentsfromthestateofMichiganattendingschoolsinMichiganandpursuingcareersindentistry,dentalhygieneanddentalassisting.TheMichiganDentalAssociationFoundationisworkinghardtokeephighlyskilledprofessionalsinMichigan!

Back row: left to right- Travis Mattson, Steven Davis, Staci Carroll, Michael Wierenga, Jerek Petrous, Front Row: left to right- Jennifer Broers, Patricia Walch

From the PresidentSummerinMichiganisaspecialtimeformostofus.It’sashort,butbusy,timeofyearforustotakepartinmanyofthegreatoutdooractivitieswelove.Meanwhile,theMichiganDentalAssociationFoundationhasbeenbusy,asyoucansee,withanothersuccessfulcarraffle,our2011classofscholarshipwinners,andtheannualgolfouting.Manythankstoallofoursupporters!

ThissummeryourFoundationisagaindelvingintothestrategicplanningprocess.It’sbeenfiveyearssinceourlaststrategicplan,andthatcanbeaneternityintheever-changingfaceofthephilanthropicworld.Weneedtoconstantlyevaluateandplantobetterpositionourselvesinthephilanthropicenvironmentforourdonorsandthosepeopleandcausesweserve.WeneedtokeepoureffortsfocusedonthemissionoftheMichiganDentalAssociationFoundation,buthavetheforesightandabilitytoadaptaswell.Therecontinuestobeanever-growingneedforourservices,butourresourcesarecertainlynotwithoutlimit.Wemuststrategicallyprioritizeoureffortstomakethegreatestimpact.Staytunedonourprogress!

InourlastnewsletterIspokeofgivingopportunitieswithinournewPlannedGivingProgram.YoucanaccesstimelyinformationinteractivelyonyourMichiganDentalAssociationFoundationwebsiteatwww.smilemichigan.com/foundationbyclickingthe“GivingOpportunities”tab.And,IhopeyouareenjoyingourPlannedGivingdigitalnewsletterthatcomesrighttoyourcomputerthreetimesayear.Wehopethiselectronicnewsletterisinformative,timely,andrelevanttoyourstageoflife.Pleasetakealookatitandgiveusyourinput!

Haveagreatsummer,andIlookforwardtotalkingwithyouagaininourfallnewsletter!

2

Dr. Michael Jennings

Jerek PetrousistheBillSchumannScholarshiprecipientfor2011.Jerek,originallyfromFarmingtonHills,recentlygraduatedfromDetroitMercythispastMayandhasrecentlystartedhisorth-odonticresidencyatUDM.

“Myinspirationforapplyingtodentalschoolwasinhugepartduetotheinflu-enceofmyfamilydentist,Dr.GregoryElliott,”Jakesays.“HeintroducedmetodentistrybyallowingmetoworkwithhimasanassistantatatimewhenIreallydidn’tknowwhatIwantedtodo.AfterspendingtimewithDr.Elliottbehindthescenes,itbecamecleartomethatdentistrywasmycalling.Itrulyrespecthimandappreciateallthetimeandadvicethathehasinvestedinmeovertheyears.Inaddition,Dr.WilliamKrieghasbeenanincrediblementorandfriendtomethroughoutdentalschool.Hehashelpedmetodevelopasapersonandhasopenedupmyeyestothespecialtyoforthodontics.”

Jerekexplainswhyheenjoysdentistry:“Itrulyenjoybeinginaprofessionwhereyougettoknowyourpatientsonapersonallevelandbecomeapartoftheirlives.Thisaspectofdentistryissorewardingbecauseofthepersonalrelation-shipsthatcandevelopovertheyears.”

Jereksaysthathisbestdecisionasadentalstudentwastogetinvolvedinorganizeddentistry,andheplanstocontinuethattrendlongafterdentalschool.

“IdefinitelyseemyselfgettinginvolvedwithinorganizeddentistryatthelocalandstatelevelsinmyfuturehereinthestateofMichigan,myhome.Afterall,whoelseisgoingtolookafterourprofessionifnotus?”Heconcludes:“I am very grateful to the Foundation for this scholar-ship. I’m grateful not only for the monetary gift, but also for the sense that the MDA and its Foundation are very supportive.”

MDA Insurance/ Dr. Bill Schumann Scholarship

Jerek Petrous: Mentors Paved the Way

Right on the “TEE”Congratulations to Dr. Jonathan Berns from West Branch, who guessed the number of tees right on the “tee.” The calculations were impeccable; 1,433 tees were jam-packed in that jar. Dr. Jonathan Berns received a $50 gift certificate to Dick’s Sporting Goods for his expert calculations!

Brent MedemaisanativeofGrandRapids,wherehelivedforthefirst10yearsofhislife.ThenheandhisfamilymovedtoPortage,wherehisfamilystillresides.

MostoftheearlyyearsofBrent’slifeweredevotedtothegameofsoccer.Hetraveledalloverthestateandcountrydoingwhathelovedthemost.Thisultimatelyledtoadeci-siontomovetoNewYorkandplayatSt.John’sUniversity.Afterrealizingthattheeastcoastwasnotforhim,BrentdecidedtotransferbacktotheUniversityofMichigan.HecontinuedtoplaysoccerwiththeUniversityofMichiganMen’sClubSoccerTeam.In2006,histeamwontheClubSoccerNationalChampionship,andhewashonoredasMVPofthetournament.

“Mydesiretopursuedentistrystemmedfromaconver-sationthatIhadwithoneofmysoccerteammatesinundergradwhowasapplyingtodentalschoolatthetime.Isawlong-termjobstabilityintheprofessionandalsotheopportunitytohelppeopleonadailybasis.

“Simplystated,thebestadviceIreceivedwastodomorethanjustbeastudent.Dentistryisagreatprofessionthatcanoftenleadtoexcitingopportunitiesfarbeyondpatientcare.ThisadviceleadtomyinvolvementinASDAattheUniversityofMichigan,andthatexperiencehashelpedmetogrowinmanydifferentwaysasaleader.IalsotooktimewhileindentalschooltoplayontheMichiganMen’sClubSoccerteamduringmyD1andD3years.Ithinklivingabalancedlifeisoneofthemostimportantfactorsintrulybeinghappy,”Brentsays.

Beforestartingschool,Brentwasshadowingalocaldentistfromhishometown.Whileintheofficesomething“clicked”forhim.“IreallystartedtobelievethatIcoulddowhathewasdoingandsawmyselfbeingsuccessfulandhappyinhisshoes.Ifeelthatthisexperiencemovedmeforwardwithconfidenceandthattherewascertainlyaplaceindentistryforme.

“Winning the Michigan Dental Association Foundation Scholarship has helped me financially with the burden of debt that I’ll have upon graduation. More importantly, it’s helped me realize that efforts don’t go unrecognized, and continuing to pursue excellence throughout my career is of the upmost importance.”

Brenthasappliedforaspecialtyinendodontics.Heisexcitedtoseewhatthefuturehasinstore.

Dr. Mitus Scholarship Recipients: Soccer Influences a Career in Dentistry

3

Jennifer Broersisathird-yeardentalstudentattheUniversityofMichiganSchoolofDentistry.She’sfromAlpenaandattendedAlpenaCommunityCollegeandSaginawValleyStateUniversity.Priortoattendingdentalschoolshehadbeenintheworkforcefor15years,thenworkedasadentalassistantforfouryearsandreallyenjoyedthewholeexperience,

“Itseemedasthoughtherewasalotofvariety,”shesays.“Althoughyoudothesamebasicprocedures,everypatientisdifferent.”HermentorwasDr.JohnMcLain,whotaughtherthatpatientsarereallyjustextendedfamilymembers.

“IplanonreturningtoAlpenaandbecominganassociateinthatpracticewhenIcompletemyedu-cation,andonedayowningthepractice,”shesays.

Jennifergotmarrieddirectlyaftercompletingherbachelor’sdegreeandtheprerequisitesfordentalschool.ThirtydayslatershemovedtoAnnArbortobeginherdentalschooleducation!KurtstayedbehindinAlpenatorunhisprivatelyownedbusinessandmaintainthehome.

Kurtishertrueinspirationinlife.“He’stheonewhoencouragedmetofurthermyeducationandpursuedentistryasacareer,”Jennifersays.“Thechallengeofbalancingmarriedlifeandacademicsiseasierwhenyouhaveawonderfulpersoninyourcornercheeringyouoneverystepofthatway,andforthatIamverygrateful.Thewholeprocesshasbeenrewardingaswell.I’vepushedmyselfandlearnedsomuch,yetI’meagertolearnmore.Ilookforwardtobeingalife-longstudentofdentistryasIprepareformycareer.

“Today, the cost of dental school is overwhelm-ing. Winning the scholarship will help me with my financial obligations.”

Miles apart, yet together in spirit

Visit the MDA Foundation website for more on the students, the golf outing and both past and future philanthropic endeavors.

www.smilemichigan.com

4

Michael Wierenga isathird-yeardentalstudentattheUniversityofMichiganSchoolDentistrywhohailsfromGrandRapids.HemajoredincellularandmolecularbiologyinhisundergraduateeducationfromtheUniversityofMichigan.

Hisinterestindentistrybeganinhighschool,whenherealizedhowmuchfunhisfamilydentistandhisstaffhadduringhisvisits.Hehadalwayshadaninterestinthesciences,anddentistryseemedliketheperfectblendofbiologicsciencealongwiththeabilitytoworkwithhishandstohelpothers.

“Ialsolovethefactthatthattheprofessionisconstantlyevolving,and,asaresult,thereisalwaysmoretolearnindentistry.Ilookforwardtotheconstantpursuitofexcellencethatwillbenecessarythroughoutmycareerinordertotreatmypatientswiththebestcarepossible.”

Hecontinues:“I’vebeentoldbymanypracticingdentistsalongthewaythatdentistryistheabsolutebestprofessionthereis.Sofar,Ihavefoundthistobetrue!Youreallycan’tgowrongwhenitcomestoacareerindentistry.Whetheryouenjoyworkingwithyourhands,usingthelatesttechnology,helpingothers,specializing,orgettinginvolvedinresearchoracademia,thereissomethingforeveryoneinthisprofession.

ThisspringMichaelspentaweekinHondurasdeliveringdentalcaretothepeopleinasmalltownwhowouldhaveotherwisehadnoaccesstoadentist.“Therewillalwaysbeaneedfordentalcare,andIamgladthatIcanbeonthefrontlinesdeliveringcaretothelessfortunate,bothwithinmycommunityandoverseas,”Michaelsays.He’salsohelpedwithGiveKidsaSmileanddeliveringoutreachprosthodonticcareattheCommunityDentalClinicinAnnArbor.

“The current cost of a dental education can be daunting for any recent or future graduate. This scholarship will help me to reduce my debt load after graduation and allow me to focus more clearly on pursuing clinical excellence in dentistry.”

MichaelcurrentlyservesontheMDACommitteeonContinuingEducationasastudentliaison,andcouldseehimselfremainingonthecommitteeasapracticingdentist.“Ienjoyattendingcontinuingeducationseminarsandnetworkingwithpracticingdentists.”hesays.

Asforthefuture,MichaelplansonstayinginthestateofMichiganandraiseafamilywithhiswife,Rachel.

Delivering Care at the Front Line

Travis Mattson,anativeofLansing,relocatedtoRhinelanderinnortheast-ernWisconsinasateenager,andthenmovedtoWatersmeetintheUpperPeninsulaofMichiganinGogebicCounty.Followinggraduationfromhighschool,heattendedSt.OlafCollege,asmallprivateliberalartsschoolinMinnesota,graduatingcumlaudewithamajorinchemistryandaconcentrationinhistoricalperspectivesofscienceandtheenvironment.

UpongraduationhespentasummerdoingresearchonananimalmetabolismmodelfocusedonrainbowtroutliversattheEnvironmentalProtectionAgencylaboratoryinDuluth.HethenmovedtoSt.PaulandspentayearandahalfworkingatadentallabandvolunteeringattheEnglishLearningCenterinMinneapolis,teachingmathematicstoSomaliandMexicanimmigrants.Thenhebeganajobasachemistinthedrugdeliverysystemsdivisionof3M,whereheworkeduntilmovingtoAnnArborinthefallof2008toattenddentalschool.

Despitehisvariedbackground,Traviswasalwaysinterestedinbecomingadentalprofessional,evenfromayoungage.Hismotherrecentlyfoundapaperhehaddoneinelementaryschoolwherehehadwrittendownhisfuturecareergoals.Itstated:“WhenIgrowupIwanttobeadentist!”

Hefoundtheprecisetechnicalaspectsofworkingwithhishandsindentistryappealing.“Tobeabletousemyhandsandmytechnicalskillstohelpsomeoneisreallyexcitingtome,anditmakesmeappreciatehowmuchartistrythereisindentistry,”Travissays.

“Winning the Michigan Dental Association Foundation Scholarship is a great honor and blessing to help with the costs of my education. I think the debt load of most dental students is daunting when they look toward graduation, so any assistance in reducing that debt is incredibly helpful.”

HisplansaftergraduationaretodoeitheraGPRoranAEGDandthengointoprivatepractice.Healsointendstobecomeapartoforganizeddentistry:“Iplantobeactiveinit.WhenIlookattheincredibleworkdonebytheMDAitinspiresmetobeapartofmystatedentalassociationandhelpcontributetothebestofmyability.”

John G. Nolen Scholarship Recipient: Stay True to Your Young Dreams

Steven Davisisafourth-yeardentalstudentattheUniversityofMichiganSchoolofDentistry,fromGladstone,Mich.Hehasanassociate’sdegreeinliberalarts,abachelor’sofscienceinbiologyandphysiology,andamaster’sofscienceinbiologyfromNorthernMichiganUniversity.SteveiscurrentlyworkingonaclinicalresearchprojectinvolvingtheinfluenceofvitaminDstatusonperiodontalsurgeryoutcomes,inaretrospectiveanalysis.

Hisparents,TomandCindi,bothteachers,constantlypushedhimtobethebesthecouldbeandtoneversettlefor“goodenough”academicallyandpersonally.Hismentor,Dr.G.ScottKelly,ofGladstone,washisfirstinfluenceinthefieldofdentistry,andhasbeenasourceofcontinuedsupportthroughhismanyaccomplishments.DuringhisundergraduatecareerStevewasabletoshadowandobserveDr.G.PeterKelly,ofMarquette,whichallowedhimtobroadenhisknowledgeintheareaofperiodontalsurgery.

Histwoadvisorsduringhismaster’sdegreeatNMU,RichardRovin,M.D.,andRobertWinn,Ph.D.,taughthimtheimportanceoftimemanagementskillsandtheneedtobeinspiredandpassionateaboutwhathewasdoing.AsStevesays,“ThebestadviceIcangivetodentalstudentsoranyonethinkingaboutacareerindentistryistobepassionate,involved,andattentive,becauseyou’llneverknowwhenanopportunitywillpresentitself,orwhatitwilllooklike.Dentistryallowsmetogivebacktomycommunity.Iampassionateabouthelpingthoseinneedandprovidingavaluableservice. “I feel very lucky to be selected as the MDA Foundation Scholarship recipient for 2011 out of the highly qualified candidate pool. The financial assistance has allowed me to purchase more clinical-based textbooks to help me build my foundation in clinical science and techniques.”

Stevehasattendedthisyear’sMidwestSocietyofPeriodontologyannualsessioninChicago,theRamfjordSymposiuminAnnArbor,andaDetroitDistrictDentalSocietymeetinginLivonia.“Igreatlyappreciatedtheinteractionswithpracticingdentistsandlisteningtocurrenttopicsathandaffectingdentistryattheregional,stateandlocallevels,”Stevesays.“Iwouldliketogetinvolvedwithorganizeddentistryatsomepointinmycareer.”

MDA Insurance Scholarship Recipient: Be Passionate and

Get Involved

MDAF Golf Outing 2011 Generous Sponsors

Gold Level $1,500 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Silver Level $500 MDA Insurance

Kerr, Russell and Weber, PLC Plante Moran

West Michigan District Dental Socieity Officite

BNYMellon

Bronze Level $300 Patterson Dental Supply

Muskegeon District Dental Society Pension Trend

Dr. Dale and Marion Nester Old Orchard Pediatric

Wiener Associates Dr. Rob Lovell

Merry, Farnen and Ryan, PC Peak Performers

MDA Past Presidents Summit Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

SMZ Advertising

1st Place Team: Chuck Hagen, Greg Grady, Paul Rashid, and Dana Kong

5

Board of Directors

PresidentMichael D. Jennings, D.D.S.

VicePresidentSusan Carron, D.D.S., M.S.

Secretary,EditorGrace Curcuru, D.D.S.

TreasurerRichard Jankowski, D.D.S.

MDA MembersGeorge Goodis, D.D.S., M.S.

Jeffery Halvorson, D.D.S., M.S.Ron Paler, D.D.S.

Curt Ralstrom, D.D.S., M.S.Donald B. Smith, D.D.S., M.S.

Community-at-Large

Cameron ElrodJill Loewen, CDA, RDA, M.S.

Joan McGowan Schmerl, Ph.D.

Michael Young, D.D.S.MDA Board Liason

Kathy Mielke, RDHMichigan Dental Hygienists’ Assn.

Mark J. StephensFinancial Adviser

Kris Nicholoff Michigan Osteopathic Association

Brian StumpMDA Controller

Lori KleinfeltFoundation Administrator

The Michigan Dental Association Board of Trustees established the Michigan

Dental Association Foundation in 1998 to serve as the MDA’s philanthropic arm. The Foundation is also supported by the Michigan Dental Assistants Association

and the Michigan Dental Hygienists’ Association.

Highlights is published three times a year by the Michigan

Dental Association Foundation.

Michigan Dental Association Foundation

3657OkemosRoad,Suite200Okemos,MI48864

(800)589-2632

www.smilemichigan.com

Copyright©2011MichiganDentalAssociationFoundation

Everyone’s a Winner! TheMichiganDentalAssociationFoundationwouldliketothankeveryonewhopurchasedticketsforthe2011AnnualSessionCarRaffle.All400ticketssoldoutrapidlyandthesuspensegrewuntilthedrawing,heldduringtheMDAPresident’sEventonFriday,April15attheAmwayGrandPlazaHotelinGrandRapids.

TheMichiganDentalAssociationFoundationcongratulatesDr. Lawrence Finn,ofBloomfield,thegrandprizewinner.Finnchosea$16,000cashprizeoveratwo-yearleaseona2011LincolnMKZora2011Harley-DavidsonFatboymotocycle.Thesecondprizeof$1,000wenttoDr. Greg Elliott,ofFarmingtonHills,whilethethirdprizeof$500wenttoDr. Jane Grover,ofJackson.

WhenitcomestotheMDAFoundationraffle,everyone’sawinner!That’sbecausethemoneyraisedwillbeusedforscholarships,access-to-caregrants,andoralhealthinitiativesacrossthestateofMichigan.Thankstoeveryonewhopurchasedaticket,andcongratulationstoallwhoparticipatedinagreatevent.

TheFoundationwillcontinuedrivingforwardin2012withanotherexcitingAnnualSessionevent!Lookfordetailssoonfor2012bigeventinLansing.

Grand Prize winner Dr. Lawrence Finn of Bloomfield with his $16,000 check and Dr. Mike Jennings, MDAF

president

Second-place winner of $1,000, Dr. Greg Elliott, of Farmington Hills

and Dr. Sue Carron, MDAF vice president

Third-place winner of $500, Dr. Jane Grover, of Jackson

Second-place Team: Dave Christiansen, Tom Phares, Larry Marcotte, and Arnie Baker

Winning skins team: Mike Sullivan, Lynnie Spindler, Jefferey Osguthorpe, and Glenn Pulice

6