Change for the Future: Advocacy and Leadership
Moderator: Dr. Nathan Suter Presented by Dr. Erinne Kennedy, Dr. Amanda Fitzpatrick, Dr. Mack Taylor, and Dr. Geoff Peterson
Sponsored by the Missouri Dental Association
Course Description: This panel of up and coming oral health leaders will share their journey in oral health advocacy. A Q&A format that will allow the panelists to share what motivates them to advocate for oral health in their communities, organizations, and at the legislative level. They will also share the lessons they have learned along the way.
Objectives: At the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Learn multiple ways that an advocate can become involved in the future that shapes dentistry.
- Understand the barriers to making change and how they can be overcome.
- Identify strategies to become a leader in my community, organization, and state level.
Erinne Kennedy, DMD, MPH, MMSc graduated from Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine in 2015. She completed a 1-year GPR residency at a VA Hospital in 2016, a Dental Public Health residency in 2018, and a MMSc in Dental Education at Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 2019. She serves as the director of pre-doctoral education at Kansas City University College of Dental Medicine in Joplin, MO.
This speaker has declared commercial interest in or relationship with organizations or companies that sell products or services relative to this presentation.
Dr. Amanda Fitzpatrick was born and raised in LaPlata, Missouri. She graduated from Truman State University with her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 2005. Amanda then attended UMKC School of Dentistry and graduated in 2009. In that same year she married her husband, Clint, and joined Long Branch Dental Group. She remains in the same practice working out of both the Macon and LaPlata offices. Dr. Fitzpatrick is currently the CE coordinator for the Northeast Dental Society and their Trustee to the Missouri Dental Association Board. She is also serving on the Council for Dental Practice at the ADA. Dr. Fitzpatrick volunteers for MOMOM and helped to co-chair the 2018 event in Kirksville. She is a fellow of the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr. Fitzpatrick was recognized as an ADA 10 Under 10 in 2018. She recently joined MOSDOH as an adjunct faculty in the fall of 2021. Dr. Fitzpatrick along with being a mother of two daughters, Morgan(10) and Emma(7), she performs school screenings in the elementary schools in her county, and is involved in community organizations.
This speaker has declared no commercial conflict of interest relative to this presentation.
Dr. Mack Taylor has served in the position of Chief Dental Officer since March 2019. He graduated from Mizzou in 2009 with a Bachelor of Journalism degree in Advertising, after which he finished his prerequisites for dental school. He applied to the UMKC School of Dentistry and graduated in 2014 with his DDS degree. He has been an active member of the MDA, serving on the New Dentist Committee in various functions. He is a member of the board of directors for the MDA Wellbeing Foundation and is also both the current President of the Southeast Dental Society as well as its trustee to the MDA board. Dr. Taylor has maintained adjunct faculty status with both UMKC and MOSDOH Dental Schools and has hosted students in his office. He volunteers with Smiles of Hope Dental Ministry as well as with MOMOM. As CDO, Dr. Taylor is directly responsible for the day-to-day operations of SEMO Health Network’s dental clinics, including planning, implementing, and directing all departments within the framework of policies and procedures approved by the Board of Directors. He directly and indirectly supervises all SEMO Health Network dental providers and staff. Other responsibilities include coordinating dental extern rotations, recruiting new providers, contracting with specialist providers, and advising senior management regarding dental issues.
This speaker has declared no commercial conflict of interest relative to this presentation.
Dr. Peterson was born and raised in Montana. He grew up in a small mining town called Butte. He received his undergraduate degrees in Biology and Theology from the University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, KS. He met his wife during a basketball practice during their time at USM. They now live in Blue Springs, MO with two children who keep them busy. Geoff has been practicing with the Live Well community health centers for since 2014. He has a particular interest in prison dentistry, connecting to his time in prison ministry while going to school in Leavenworth, KS.
Geoff graduated from dental school at Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland, OR. Geoff was the OHSU volunteer of the year, American Association of Public Health Dentistry Community dentistry and public health award recipient, and the International College of dentists leadership award recipient during his time at OHSU. He currently serves as the Dental Director for the Live well Community health Centers.
This speaker has declared no commercial conflict of interest relative to this presentation.