by Founder, former CEO of Mortenson Dental Partners retires
Wayne Mortenson, DMD, who founded Mortenson Dental Partners with his wife, said he would retire from the DSO September 30. Dr. Mortenson and his wife, Sue Mortenson, opened their first dental practice, Mortenson Family Dental, in Middletown, Kentucky, in 1979. The DSO now includes 140 practices across nine states and employs nearly 1,800 people. The retirement announcement comes two years after Dr. Mortenson stepped down from his CEO role to serve as an executive adviser. He plans to stay an active member of the DSO’s board of directors and lead the Mortenson Charitable Foundation’s efforts with his wife, the company says. DSOs, Dental Providers, & Insurance
Dental Care Alliance names former Walgreens exec as new president
Dental Care Alliance named Jeffrey Koziel as its new president. Most recently, he served as senior vice president, pharmacy and retail operations, with responsibility for day-to-day operations supporting Walgreens’s more than 9,300 locations.
“As DCA looks ahead to our fourth decade of creating healthy smiles, I am confident that Jeff has the experience and vision to lead Dental Care Alliance into the next stage of growth,” stated Jerry Rhodes, Chief Executive Officer for DCA. “The demonstrated way in which he cares for the business and its people are distinctively aligned with our mission and values. He has an unbridled passion for healthcare and innovation, and is committed to driving results for the future at DCA.”
“I’m thrilled to join the Dental Care Alliance family,” Jeff shared. “We are undoubtedly in challenging times, but as it goes, I believe it will enable our greatest opportunities. Already, I’ve learned much about the commitment and dedication of DCA’s affiliated practices and the patients and team members that we serve. I sincerely look forward to contributing to and taking this already great organization to the next level.”
Hinman Dental Meeting executive director retiring in May
The Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting announced that its longtime executive director, Sylvia Ratchford, will retire in May 2021, following her 25th Hinman meeting. Ratchford has led the Hinman Dental Meeting and Hinman Dental Society since 1996, growing it to its peak of more than 23,000 attendees and 430 exhibiting companies, according to the organization. She will be succeeded by Annette Sullivan.
“For the past 24 years, Sylvia has been the lifeblood of Hinman and has played a very critical role in making Hinman the success it is today. She has been a tremendous leader who has been instrumental in growing Hinman and maintaining its position as the premiere dental meeting in the country,” said Dr. L. Maxwell Ferguson, Chair of the Hinman Board of Trustees. “We are sad to see her retire, but greatly appreciate her many contributions over the years, including the capable team she has developed. We are fortunate that she is able to stay on through May to work alongside and share her experience with Annette.”
Ratchford has more than 40 years of experience in the hospitality, meeting planning and association management industries. Prior to assuming the role of Executive Director at Hinman, Ratchford worked in sales management for nine years at The Westin Peachtree Plaza. She then worked another nine years at AmericasMart, including the pre-opening of INFORUM, where she was responsible for the marketing and sales of the exhibits and meeting space in all four buildings. Ratchford has served on the board of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and as President of the Southeastern Chapter of the Professional Convention Management Association. She is also a long-time member of the International Association of Exhibitions and Events. She earned her bachelor’s degree in fine arts at the University of Georgia. Ratchford looks forward to moving near her hometown of Gastonia, N.C. and spending time on Lake Wylie with family and friends. “The past 24 years have been a blessing for me both professionally and personally. My hope is that the many relationships I’ve formed with colleagues and friends, as a result of Hinman and my career in Atlanta, will be lifelong,” said Ratchford. “Annette is well respected in the Atlanta hospitality community and I feel confident that Hinman is in very capable hands going forward. I know that the Hinman leadership, members and staff will support her as well as they have me over the years.
Native Atlantan Annette Sullivan began working full-time recently with the goal of transitioning many of Ratchford’s duties by the end of year. Sullivan brings more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality and meeting planning industry. Her most recent position was with the Georgia World Congress Center where she was a member of the national convention sales team. She also has worked on the sales team for the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau in Atlanta and spent 10 years in Washington, D.C. working with associations. She worked for the Sacramento Convention & Visitors Bureau and Chicago Convention & Tourism Bureau bringing associations to each of those destinations. Prior to being on the sales side, her association experience includes management roles with the National Association of Computer Consultant Businesses and Associated Builders & Contractors. “We are thrilled to have Annette join Hinman as our new Executive Director and lead the meeting into the future. Her experience and unique perspective will play an important role in positioning Hinman for years to come,” said Dr. J. Sedgie Newsom, President of the Hinman Dental Society. “While she certainly has big shoes to fill, we are confident that Annette has the expertise to guide and shape Hinman and successfully navigate the challenges that the pandemic has created.”
ADA installs Daniel Klemmedson as new president
Daniel J. Klemmedson, DDS, MD, assumed the position as president of the American Dental Association, effective October 19. Dr. Klemmedson has been actively involved at the ADA for many years, serving on the ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs from 2007 to 2011 and a strategic planning committee from 2009 to 2012. From 2019 to 2020, Dr. Klemmedson served as president-elect of the ADA.
In addition to Dr. Klemmedson’s achievements at the ADA, he is a past president of the Arizona Dental Association, Southern Arizona Dental Society, Western Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and Arizona Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Throughout his career, Dr. Klemmedson has earned multiple awards, including the Dentist of the Year Award and the Hall of Fame Service Award from the Arizona Dental Association. In 2018, he received the Gerald E. Hanson Outstanding Service Award from the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation.
Dr. Klemmedson is a fellow of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, as well as a member of the Academy of Dentistry International, American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association and American Medical Association. He has received fellowships from the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy.
President-elect Cesar R. Sabates, Second Vice President Maria Maranga, and five new trustees also assumed office on October 19.
AAOMS names new president
The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) (Irving, TX) named Dr. B.D. Tiner, DDS, MD, as its new president. He officially began his one-year term on Oct. 11. Dr. Tiner served as president-elect for AAOMS last year, serving as VP the year prior to that. He has been an active member of the organization for 37 years. Dr. Tiner is a surgeon with Alamo Maxillofacial Surgical Associates, a partner practice of U.S. Oral Surgery Management (USOSM).
Mid-Atlantic Dental Partners promotes Pamela Holder to chief revenue officer
Mid-Atlantic Dental Partners announced the promotion of Pamela Holder to chief revenue officer. In her new role, Holder will oversee revenue operations companywide and the growth and expansion of Mid-Atlantic Dental. Holder brings more than 12 years of dental and healthcare revenue experience to her role at Mid-Atlantic Dental. She joined the company in January 2019 as VP of revenue cycle and was promoted to SVP of Revenue Cycle Management the following year. Prior to joining Mid-Atlantic Dental, she headed her own consulting firm where she worked with DSOs and solo practices to analyze all aspects of the revenue cycle.
“Pam is one of the best examples of how you can accomplish anything you desire if you are dedicated, humble and willing to work hard,” said Leigh Feenburg, Chief Operating Officer of Mid-Atlantic Dental Partners. “Pam has touched the lives of literally thousands in her career, leaving the most positive impressions on those she supports and advancing so many careers of those she has led.”
Holder holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, with a concentration in Foreign Policy of the Middle East, from Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. As a former executive of one of the country’s largest DSOs, Holder has been a member of ADSO, NDEDIC, AADGP, NADP and sat on the DSO Advisory board for NADP. In 2015, Holder was a Stevie Bronze Medal winner for National Businesswoman of the Year and a Rising Star Award nominee for the National Dental EDI Council in 2016.
Western Dental promotes Patricia Himpelmann to SVP, Specialty Services
Western Dental appointed Patricia Himpelmann as SVP, Specialty Services. Himpelmannis expanding her role to include responsibility for operational support of all dental specialties, including oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics and pediatric dentistry. Himpelmann joined Western Dental in 2015 as VP of Soft Tissue Management, a role in which she developed a hygiene program and recruited and deployed nearly 150 hygienists across the company. She has also developed and launched key initiatives for dental implants and a variety of other oral health care products and services.
