Debbie Allen is the program director of Ford County RSVP, a volunteer program for seniors and the newly created Ford County Volunteer Center that will encompass those volunteers under the age of 55. Both offices are located in the lower level of Village Square Mall in Dodge City, KS. She has been working with RSVP for over 8 years. Debbie is a lifelong resident of Kansas growing up on a dairy farm in western Kansas and raising her family on a dairy farm near Hanston. Debbie was involved with various farm and agriculture organizations during this time.

Debbie began her career advocating for seniors with the Area Agency on Aging, becoming the program director of RSVP in 2003 and has been engaged with meeting the needs of seniors for over 10 years. The formation of Ford County Dental Coalition sparked the interest of many RSVP volunteers and they became not only a part of that coalition but developed a task force to educate the public of the importance of good oral health care and provide training to care givers. As director, Debbie has take lead of the Task Force and has developed a work plan for RSVP to become involved, perhaps to become a state or national project. Volunteer of ages can be involved thru the new Volunteer Center.

Debbie is a member of Dodge City Chamber serving as an Ambassadors’, Women’s Chamber, The Drover’s, and is an active volunteer all over the community. RSVP recognizes the value of volunteers by hosting special events designed to show appreciation for their efforts. Last a special 911 Day event brought over 400 RSVP volunteers, City police and fireman, and military altogether for a very special Day of Appreciation.

Debbie has 3 sons and 6 grandchildren and delights in spending time with them. She loves the outdoors and enjoys horseback riding, flowers, and attending rodeos.

Sonja Armbruster began working for the Sedgwick County Health Department in October 2003. She has served in a number of administrative roles, including several successful grant writing efforts, program and policy development, health promotion program management, and community assessment. She is particularly interested in local public health department accreditation efforts and in 2010 served as a Public Health Accreditation Board Site Visitor.

Previously, Armbruster worked for the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Wichita, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, and occasionally serves as an Adjunct Teaching Associate for the KU-MPH program. She frequently provides guest lectures for KU-MPH and WSU classes.

Armbruster's formal education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and a Master of Arts in Communication, both from Wichita State University. Armbruster is an active member of the Kansas Public Health Association including past service as president and currently active in the Policy section.

She balances her passion for public health work with an equally active family life including a wonderful spouse, delightful twin daughters, and three bright and beautiful stepchildren.

Chip Blaser is the Executive Director of the Douglas County Community Foundation, based in Lawrence. Prior to starting that position in 2006, Chip was Vice President of Ballard Community Services, a human service agency located in Lawrence, and began his career as an attorney with the law firm of Barber Emerson. He has degrees in accounting and business, as well as a law degree, from KU. Chip is a graduate of Leadership Lawrence, a 2010 graduate of the Leadership Kansas program, and the chairman of the Kansas Association of Community Foundations. He also serves on the steering committee of the LiveWell Lawrence coalition.

Julie Branstrom has served as the Executive Director for the Douglas County Dental Clinic in Lawrence, KS for the past 6 years. She is responsible for managing all administrative aspects of the clinic including financial management, program development, management of staff, fundraising, community outreach, vendor negotiations and other related duties. Prior to working for the clinic, Julie spent 10 years in sales and marketing for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City.

She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from San Francisco State University in 1991. She was born and raised in Redwood City, California; 30 miles south of San Francisco. Julie, husband Craig, son Drew (19) and daughter Madeline (16) have called Lawrence, KS home for nearly 17 years now. Julie’s husband Craig is a firefighter and paramedic for the Overland Park Fire Department.

Julie serves on the Board of Directors for the Kansas Association of the Medically Underserved (KAMU) and will be serving on the Oral Health Advisory Council for People with Disabilities.

In Julie’s spare time she is an artist and metal smith and enjoys spending hours in her studio making jewelry. She often uses sea glass in her creations- all of them pieces she has collected on the shores of Northern California. She loves the outdoors- kayaking, hiking, camping and exploring new places.

Linda Broyles serves as the Deputy Director of the Southeast Kansas Community Action Program (SEK-CAP). She is also responsible for overseeing the Early Childhood Services Department which includes child care and Head Start services for 900 children aged zero to five. Linda began her journey in the field of early childhood as a licensed child care provider in her home. She became a Head Start parent in 1979 when her youngest child entered the program. Since that time, she has worked within the same program in a variety of positions, including classroom Teacher, Site Manager, Home Visitor, Parent Involvement Specialist, and Transition Specialist.

Linda has served in an array of leadership roles within the early learning community, most recently as President of the Region VII Head Start Association. She also serves on the board of the National Head Start Association and was just elected Vice President. Linda is a member of the Board of Directors of the Kansas Association of Community Action Programs (KACAP) and serves on the Executive Committee as Secretary. Other leadership service includes the Early Childhood Advisory Board of Pittsburg State University and the Board of Directors of Families and Children Together, an affiliate of the Crawford County Community Center for Mental Health. Her expertise has been gained through real experience working in the field of early childhood over the past 32 years.

Doreen Eyler was born and raised as an Iowa corn fed farmer's daughter, she graduated from dental assisting school in 1979 and dental hygiene school in 1981. Since graduation she has practiced dental hygiene in not only Iowa but Minnesota, South Carolina and Kansas.

Kansas has been her home since 1990. Every year screening children's teeth in schools and helping with classroom oral health education has been her task. In the past Doreen has been active in her state and Wichita Dental Hygiene Association.

The first 24 and a half years of her 30 year hygiene career was in full time family practice. At one time or another virtually every job possible in a dental office has been practiced by Doreen except, DENTIST!

Finishing her BSDH has been a slow but steady for the past few years and within two more semesters she will be done! The support and encouragement from school nurses and WSU professors led her to Dave Sanford, CEO of GraceMed and Dr. Roger Nolte, Director of Dental at GraceMed, who had a vision for ECP hygienists in GraceMed. Being an adjunct clinical instructor at WSU is another hat she wears by helping WSU dental hygiene students understand and experience ECP hygiene in a safety net clinic.

Doreen networks with area organizations and communities to guide people through oral health needs. She not only practices ECP hygiene in Sedgwick County but can also be found in the fifteen counties surrounding Sedgwick. Being a member of the Sedgwick County Oral Health Coalition is another way to use her networking abilities when helping with Give Kids a Smile. She recruits and organizes the dental floor for restorative care. Yes, I do have an address that I call home on the weekends. In this house is a very understanding engineer husband who tutors his wife through college algebra and is a great listener! Two beautiful children Sarah who is 23 and Jake who is 25. A wonderful veterninary daughter in law has joined our family. Doreen is on the creative team, teaching team, praise and worship team for her church's children ministry.

Doreen's education will be an ongoing theme. Fighting for cavity free children will not be the story that never ends!

Krista is the Executive Director at Marian Dental Clinic – SCL Health of Topeka. Beginning her professional career as a dental hygienist in 2004, she earned her B.S. in Dental Hygiene in 2008, Master of Business Administration in 2010, and Extended Care Permit Hygienist III in 2014. As a private practitioner she learned practical skills as a hygienist and as the Director of Dental Hygiene at Manhattan Area Technical College she activated her teaching skills and honed her administrative skills. Serving at a rural safety-net clinic as the Dental Director for 5 years, Krista was provided opportunities to grow and develop a sustainable outreach program, seek, write, and manage grant funds, along with taking on periodic interim administrative duties.  Throughout her career Krista has had the opportunity to utilize her skills as a Kansas Leadership Center graduate; engaging others expertise, providing encouragement and motivation, as well as empowering others to make positive change toward growth as individuals and make change in our rural communities. Krista aspires to be a pioneer among safety net dental clinics and is experienced in partnering with social service agencies, and primary care/behavioral health integration.

Krista and her husband Joshua, a Veterinarian in Topeka, proudly raise their four children in the flint hills of rural Wamego KS
Krista has a special interest is in managing patients with special needs; emphasis on children, pregnant women, and elderly. A career goal for Krista would be to establish an internship program with community-based dental clinics allowing the associate degree dental hygiene graduates to obtain required experience necessary to obtain an extended care permit to treat underserved patients in school-based settings, health departments, and long-term care facilities.

Susan Hemberger, RDH, ECP is a 1980 graduate of the University of Texas – Dental Hygiene where she graduated with honors and was the recipient of the Hu-Friedy top student clinician award. She is a member of the Sigma Phi Alpha Dental Hygiene Honor Society.

Susan has over 30 years of dental experience as a registered dental hygienist and practice manager, licensed in California, Texas and Kansas. While practicing in California she was a dental hygiene clinical instructor at Loma Linda University. After years of practicing dental hygiene Susan was recruited to manage new dental product development and marketing for a Fortune 500 company where she was honored to receive the company’s “Signature of Commitment Award.”

For the past 10 years she has volunteered as a registered dental hygienist for the Kansas Mission of Mercy free dental health clinic. She has been the hygiene clinic manager for the Kansas Mission of Mercy project since 2005. From 2005-2010 Susan worked for University of Missouri-Kansas City Dental School and the Reach Healthcare Foundation’s Project Ready Smile as a community outreach public health dental hygienist. The project served children in need of dental care from the ages of 0-5 in Johnson and Wyandotte County. Susan also served on the Board of Directors for the Kansas Dental Charitable Foundation and the Johnson County Elder Smiles Advisory Committee.

Susan is married to Dr. Glenn Hemberger and has one son, Brett, who graduated from Marquette University and is working for Siemens Technology in Chicago, Ill. Her hobbies include: tennis and golf.

Angie Holladay began her career in the dental world as a part time chair side assistant at the urging of her neighbor who's office was looking for help.  Prior to this, she had spent her career working as a respiratory therapist and later in medical rehabilitation marketing.  After the oldest of her two children entered high school, she knew she needed to work full time and began her career in provider relations for a dental insurance carrier.  She later felt the need for an advanced degree and upon graduating with a Master in Communication from Wichita State University, began her current career with Patterson Dental Supply in equipment sales. Two years ago she took over as Branch Manger for the Wichita office.

Through her association with dentistry, she has become an active volunteer with the Kansas Mission of Mercy projects, and was awarded last January with a 10 yr participation award.  She currently serves on the Kansas Mission of Mercy Advisory Board, the America's Dentists Care Foundation board of directors, the Kansas Dental Lifeline board of directors, Wichita-Sedgwick County Oral Health Coalition, and a member of the East Wichita Rotary.

She is the wife of Mike and has two grown children: Alex, married to Ashley, is a Captain in the U.S. Army, currently residing in Arizona; and Andrea, a recent graduate of Oklahoma State University.  Angie loves college sports, especially the WSU Shockers, Texas A &M Aggies, and the OSU Cowboys by default, reading, travelling, and is involved in several church activities.

Daniel Lassley serves the Bureau of Oral Health at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment as the Dental Recruitment Program Manager, working to increase the number of dentists and dental hygienists in rural and underserved areas of the state. He has a degree in Human Resources Management and has worked in a variety of roles to address workforce issues in Kansas. Daniel’s experience in manufacturing, technology, disabilities, and marketing gives him a broad background to assist efforts to increase access to quality healthcare.

Shelley Mathews has been a Registered Dental Hygienist for fifteen years, receiving her Associate’s degree from Tarrant County College in Hurst, Texas, in 1996. She has enjoyed the privilege of working in many different settings in Texas and Kansas, as well as practicing overseas in Liechtenstein, Germany and Ireland. She is currently working with both the Bureau of Oral Health and GraceMed to provide dental screenings and preventive services to students in elementary and middle schools.

Shelley completed her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene at Wichita State University in 2009, and will receive a Bachelor’s in Health Services Management and Community Development from WSU in May, 2011.
She has been involved with the Wichita-Sedgwick County Oral Health Coalition since 2007, helping recruit dental hygiene volunteers and coordinate activities for the organization’s annual Give Kids A Smile charity event. In her free time, she enjoys running, hiking and camping.

Lynette Murphy, the director of development for the College of Health Professions at the Wichita State University Foundation, Lynette is responsible for securing private funding for projects within the college. She recently led fund-raising efforts to construct the Advanced Education in General Dentistry facility at WSU, and was also responsible for coordinating donations when the Delta Dental of Kansas Foundation Dental Hygiene Clinic was renovated and expanded at WSU. Through these projects, she has become aware of the oral health issues in Kansas.

Serving in this role since 2002, she and Dean Peter Cohen have the longest standing dean-development director relationship at WSU. Lynette came to WSU in 1993, working in communications positions prior to her fund-raising role. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism from Emporia State University and is pursuing a master’s in communication from WSU, so she can soon officially call herself a Shocker!

She also serves on the boards of the Wichita Children’s Theatre and Dance Center and the Kansas School for Effective Learning. She is past president of ESU Alumni Association South Central Chapter. She lives in Wichita with her husband, Dan, and two children, Madeline (14) and Gabe (8) and enjoys playing guitar and singing, restoring their historic home and watching Shocker basketball.

Jill Quigley, a former legislator, served for three years in the Kansas House of Representatives. On the House Health and Human Services Committee, she gained a statewide perspective on such issues as professional licensure and workforce needs, shortages, and development. She is most proud of her work leading to the passage of the statewide Clean Indoor Air Act in 2010.

Born and raised in central Missouri, Jill graduated from the University of Missouri School of Nursing and obtained her master’s in Nursing from the University of Michigan. As a nurse, Jill worked with those with chronic diseases and in patient education. While raising kids, she held nearly every PTA executive board position, was a cub scout and girl scout leader, became a master volunteer for the Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties, and served on the mission committee of her church.

Most recently Jill worked at Southwest Boulevard Family Health Care, a safety net clinic in KCK, as their Outreach Coordinator and helped open and staff their first two dental operatories. She served on an advisory group for fund development with OHK and is currently on the Oral Health Kansas Board serving on the fund development and public policy committees.

Jill serves as the Vice President of the United Community Services of Johnson County Board of Directors and chairs their Public Policy Committee. She also serves on the Board of Directors of both the Delta Dental Foundation and Marillac, a provider of therapeutic support services for children. Jill is active in the League of Women Voters and the Johnson County Rotary.

Jill is married to Dr. Jim Quigley, a pathologist at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. They have three children. Matt, 28, is headed to Wharton Business School in August. Andrew, 25, is graduating from USC law school in May. Emily, 21, will graduate from Nursing School at South Dakota State in December. The family loves soccer and vacationing in Colorado.

Dr. Nicole Rogers graduated from William Jewell College in Liberty, MO where she majored in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2008. 

She is the first woman dentist to practice in Arkansas City, Kansas where she practices with her husband Dr. Scott Rogers and her father-in-law Dr. Nick Rogers. At Rogers Family Dentistry, it truly is our family serving yours! When visiting her office, her two year old daughter may greet you as you enter the office. Dr. Rogers is fortunate to have a private nursery in the basement of her office for her daughter Addison. Dr. Rogers feels blessed to be able to work and also spend time with her daughter at the office. It is a dream come true for her.  

Dr. Rogers is currently serving as the President of the Southern District Society of the Kansas Dental Association and as a delegate for the KDA. She is also a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, and an affiliate member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Rogers strongly believes every child should have a dental home to receive quality dental care. In order to help provide the children of Ark City with a dental home, Dr. Rogers has spent the past two school years screening the children of Arkansas City, KS. If a child does not have a dental home, Dr. Rogers will do her best to establish a home for that child.  Dr. Rogers truly enjoys giving people of all ages the smile they have always wanted!

Matthew Schrock joined the KDHE Tobacco Use Prevention Program in January 2009. His main responsibility is coordinating the promotion and utilization of the Kansas Tobacco Quitline. Since 2001, he has served as the Director of the Religious Nurture Center, a ministry for individuals with developmental disabilities with the First United Methodist Church. Prior to coming to the Tobacco Program, he spent 3 years as Program Director of the Enhanced Care Management Program. This pilot program coordinated health care services for Medicaid patients.

Matthew received his Masters degree in Clinical Social Work from Washburn University and his Bachelor's degree in Sociology from George Fox University.

When he isn't engaged in professional pursuits, Matthew serves as a Cub Scout den leader and coaching his son’s baseball team.

Jon Stewart has been CEO of Heartland Community Health Center in Lawrence since January, 2008. As a soon-to-be Federally Qualified Health Center the organization will have the opportunity to dramatically impact the overall health, including the oral health, of residents in Douglas County and surrounding communities. In addition to significantly expanding services, the organization is implementing an Electronic Health Record and will be pursuing recognition as a Patient-Centered Medical Home in the coming year.

Originally a graduate of the architecture program at KU, Jon previously directed construction activities for a nationally-recognized, award-winning architectural design and construction firm. It was his ten years of volunteer work in a church-based health and recovery ministry that eventually led to his calling toward a career change.

A KU grad, Jon is also a former Jayhawk football player. He continues to be active in sports: cycling, swimming and ice hockey. Jon and wife Karen live in a nineteenth century home that they are painstakingly restoring. Along with their three children Evan, Abby and Andrea, the family loves horses, sports, camping, reading and learning.

Ashley Swisher, DDS graduated with honors from the University of Missouri School of Dentistry. She associated for a year at a practice in Salina, KS before finding the extraordinary opportunity to purchase an Ottawa County practice in July of 2010. She did so and started All Smiles Dental Care, L.C. The general practice expanded quickly and now has a team of ten including a dental classmate and friend of Ashley’s, Dr. Lisa Metzen.

Ashley and her husband, Keir, are from small towns in Kansas so Minneapolis seemed the perfect fit and it has been a blessing being so close to both of their large extended families. Keir is an Emergency Medicine physician and codirector at Salina Regional Health Center so they both stay busy trying to balance work and play.  Keir and Ashley enjoy their time together pampering their two weimaraners (Rocky and Ollie), running, biking, reading and attending continuing education courses. 

Ashley uncovered her passion for dentistry during her experience as an assistant in several general dental practices and an endodontic office. She acquired a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Missouri in Kansas City. During school, she was voted Student of the Year her peers and received periodontal honors one year as well. Ashley enjoys dental mission work and leadership positions. Her outreaches have included volunteering at the Head Start in Salina, going on two mission trips to Venezuela and Honduras and donating her time at area health fairs for dental education and screenings. In order to help with those in need, she is also a Medicaid provider. The All Smiles Dental Care team contributed their time and talents to this year’s KMOM in Hutchinson. Dr. Swisher is enthusiastic to be a part of such a progressive profession that has unmeasurable internal rewards.

Kim Walker currently serves as Public Health Educator for the Sedgwick County Health Department. Kim plans, organizes, and implements health education programs for groups and community needs locally that focus on nutrition, physical activity, oral health and hand washing.

Kim earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Western Kentucky University, and is a current student at the University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita working on her Master’s in Public Health. Kim has served as Co-Chairperson of the Wichita Sedgwick County Oral Health Coalition, chairs the Kansas Diabetes Action Council Primary Prevention workgroup and a member of the Kansas Public Health Association.

Outside of work and school, Kim currently plays intramural softball at the YMCA, regularly travels back to her home town of Louisville, KY to spend time with family and friends, and loves watching scary movies. Last, but not least Kim is devoted to her beautiful and smart 2 year old daughter, JoJo!

Elizabeth Wehlage is a Registered Dental Hygienist, with an Extended Care Permit I. She graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in 2007. Throughout her education, volunteerism and many public health activities she became interested in public health dentistry. Her volunteer projects ranged from coordinating sealant programs to giving presentations on oral health to fellow healthcare providers and students.

Upon graduation from UMKC she was interested in learning more of the complex relationship between public health and oral health and was then accepted to the University of Kansas-Medical Center Master of Public Health program. Her Masters project was with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment Office of Oral Health. The project was titled “Evaluation of the KDHE’s Fluoride Varnish Program” and was a survey used to evaluate fluoride varnish utilization in primary care settings. As part of the project, she designed, implemented, and evaluated the survey in hopes to improve upon the program and identify barriers to its use. In May 2009 she graduated with her Master’s of Public Health degree which gave her the tools and foundation to become an influential public health advocate and leader for oral health.

Elizabeth currently works full time at the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas in Iola, KS. Along with providing direct patient care in the clinic, she also organizes outreach efforts as a means to increase access to care and increase prevention. She has the opportunity to perform dental screenings, apply fluoride varnish and provide oral health education in schools and at Women and Children Clinics (WIC). She also utilizes mobile dental equipment to provide dental care on-site in places such as day care and Head Start centers.