Innovating Workforce Pipelines
Presented by Dr. Megan Krohn (facilitator), Julie Boeckman, Karen Dent, Mariah Kliethermes, Stephanie Taylor
Session Overview: This dynamic panel discussion explores innovative strategies and outcomes from recent workforce development initiatives aimed at addressing dental health profession shortages in Missouri. Through grant-funded programs, organizations have developed pipelines to strengthen the oral health workforce in underserved and rural areas. Participants will gain insights into the successes, challenges, and sustainability efforts of these programs while discussing how to replicate and expand on these models in their own communities.
Learning Objectives:
Describe the impact of grant-funded workforce development initiatives on addressing dental workforce shortages in Missouri, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Identify key strategies, successes, and challenges in implementing workforce development programs.
Discuss opportunities for replicating and sustaining workforce development models in other communities.
Dr. Megan Krohn, DDS facilitator
Executive Vice President of Dental Services, Swope Health
Dr. Megan Krohn is responsible for the coordination and delivery of oral health services at all Swope Health locations. She is a general dentist and graduate of the UMKC School of Dentistry with Honors in Oral Surgery. She joined Swope Health in 2016 and has been instrumental in the dental department’s continued growth. Dr. Krohn is a member of the American Dental Association, Missouri Dental Association, the American Association of Public Health Dentistry, and serves as a delegate for the Greater Kansas City Dental Association. Dr. Krohn is also a member of the National Network for Oral Health Access through which she participates in multiple committees and acts as the program ambassador for the state of Missouri. In 2023, Dr. Krohn joined the Board of Directors of Delta Dental of Missouri. Her passion lies in creating access to oral health care through innovative programs, alternative care models, and integration of care. Personally, Dr. Krohn is mom to four young children who keep life in Kansas City, MO exciting and busy.
Julie Boeckman
Program Manager, Department of Health and Senior Services - Office of Dental Health
Julie Boeckman, Office of Dental Health Program Manager, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Central Missouri State University in 1996 with a degree in Child Development and a minor in Psychology. She started her public health career in 2001 at the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services. She started in the environmental program then was Missouri’s Vaccines for Children Program Coordinator for five years before joining the Office of Dental Health as Program Manager December 2017. In the Office of Dental Health, she oversees nine different grants and numerous programs like water fluoridation, dental sealants, dental screenings, fluoride varnish, education, workforce and care for Veterans in order to improve Missourian’s oral health.
Stephanie Taylor
Executive Director, Missouri Area Health Education Center
Stephanie Taylor has been with Missouri AHEC for 25 years. She served as program assistant and then clinical coordinator for the Northwest Missouri AHEC in St Joseph, Missouri for five years and transitioned to the role of executive director of the West Central Missouri AHEC in Kansas City in December 2005. She has spent her AHEC career developing and implementing health career pipeline programs, providing support for high school and undergraduate pre-health students, serving as a liaison to connect academic medicine and health professions training programs, coordinating clinical rotations for health professions students in rural and underserved urban communities, and facilitating the AHEC Scholars program. She continues to focus efforts on developing programs and pipelines to provide learning opportunities and resources to minority and low-income students interested in pursuing health careers by creating partnerships with area school districts, healthcare organizations and training programs. She is a member of the National AHEC Organization Board of Directors, co-chair of the NAO Center Director’s Constituency Group, member of the NAO Communications Committee and NAO Conference planning committee. In Missouri she collaborates on several workforce development initiatives and advisory committees, health career pathway 9-12 educational collaborative groups, and nursing workforce consortiums. She and her husband have been married for 30 years and have one daughter, Kyleigh, who is a musician living in Seattle, Washington.
Karen Dent, CDA, EFDA
Oral Health Network Director, Missouri Primary Care Association
Karen Dent, CDA, EFDA, joined the Oral Health Network of Missouri as Program Coordinator in December 2003. Karen’s responsibilities include development and coordination of the Oral Health Network of Missouri’s education and outreach activities. Karen also collaborates with the Department of Health and Senior Services, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and other organizations to promote and fulfill the goals of the Oral Health Network. Prior to accepting the position of Oral Health Network Program Coordinator, Karen was a dental assisting educator from 1984 until November 2003. In addition, Karen co-authored Dental Aide training modules for the University of Missouri Instructional Materials Laboratory and taught Expanded Function Dental Assistant Training from 1995 to 2003.
Mariah Kliethermes
Recruitment & Workforce Development Coordinator
Mariah Kliethermes joined the Missouri Primary Care Association in March 2023. Prior to working for MPCA, Mariah worked in the dental field for 7 years. Mariah received her Certified Dental Assistant and Expanded Function Dental Assistant license from State Technical College of Missouri. She now serves as the Recruitment and Workforce Development Coordinator providing recruitment support for underserved areas in healthcare.