Meet ASDA District 9 Leadership

ASDA DISTRICT 9 April 21, 2014

!Hometown: McAllen, TX !What made you want to get more involved with ASDA? I have a passion for helping pre-‐dental students and when I realized my school had no pre-‐dental day or events I contacted our president asking to help. Along the way I was fortunate enough to attend NLC and caught "ASDA Fever,” which I know sounds corny but truly happens to everyone that attends any ASDA national event. !What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy with school or ASDA? I love NBA basketball, especially the Spurs, and hanging out with my family during breaks. !What is a fun fact about yourself? I have a wiener dog named Charlie, she's the light of my life. !!!!

�1MEET YOUR DISTRICT 9 LEADERSHIP

What is District 9?

The American Student Dental Association is split into 11 districts throughout the nation, with representation from each dental school in the country. Together, UT-Houston, Baylor, San Antonio, Oklahoma, and Colorado make up District 9.

!What does District 9 Leadership do for you?

Your leadership team is here to relay information between schools and to provide resources for fellow ASDA members. It is our goal to provide assistance to any ASDA member looking for guidance or to further their own chapter’s ASDA program.

MEET YOUR DISTRICT 9 LEADERSHIP

CHRIS THORBURN

TRUSTEE

UT-HOUSTON



Hometown: Excelsior, MN What made you want to get more involved with ASDA? After attending Annual Session, I realized how big of an impact ASDA has on the future of the profession. This is something I don't think every dental student really understands, and being on the media team will allow me to better inform all dental students on the importance of organized dentistry and empower them to start getting more involved to help protect the future of the profession. What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy with school or ASDA? Reading, traveling, and yoga. What is a fun fact about yourself? I drive a yellow bug!...and have rear-‐ended Minnesota's State Representative in it.

ALISON SEAMANS

MEDIA DIRECTOR

OKLAHOMA

Hometown: Boulder, CO What made you want to get more involved with ASDA? I wanted to advocate for dental students and organized dentistry so our voices are heard and we present a unified front. What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy with school or ASDA? playing volleyball, running, reading books, cooking with my husband, camping, hiking and skiing What is a fun fact about yourself? I have attended two out of the five schools in district 9 -‐ Colorado and Baylor! (My husband got a job in Dallas between my first and second years and I was able to transfer to Baylor).

LYNN PRUISNER-MILLER

SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR

BAYLOR

MEDIA TEAM


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Hometown: Pullman, WA What made you want to get more involved with ASDA? I originally got involved in ASDA because it seemed like the only student organization with a clear and focused purpose-‐-‐ and it was a purpose that I believed in. I decided to get MORE involved in ASDA after a lunch-‐time conversation I had with Jiwon Lee (the current Immediate Past President of national ASDA) at the 2013 National Leadership Conference where she encouraged me to find a way to use my talents to help further the mission of ASDA on a national level. What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy with school or ASDA? When I am not busy with school, I do ASDA. When I am not busy with ASDA, it is probably because I am sleeping. I like tennis though, so when I can, I get out and do that. I also am a huge movie buff. What is a fun fact about yourself? I am double jointed in both thumbs, I am allergic to cockroaches, and my snack of choice is M&Ms and Skittles eaten together.

KYLE LARSEN

MEDIA CONTENT DIRECTOR

COLORADO

MEDIA TEAM


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Hometown: Edmond, OK What made you want to get more involved with ASDA? Even though I am only a first year student, I was lucky enough to go on several trips for ASDA over this last year. I believe it is a combination of the people I met, things that I have learned, and the speakers that I have heard that have not only inspired me, but have afflicted me with "ASDA Fever". What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy with school or ASDA? Painting, hanging out with friends, trying out new restaurants, reading, and going to concerts.

What is a fun fact about yourself? There is always room for dessert.

COMMUNICATIONS

ASHKAAN BAHREINI

COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR

OKLAHOMA


!!!!!!!!!!!�5MEET YOUR DISTRICT 9 LEADERSHIP

MARIE DE PUEY

COMMUNITY OUTREACH CHAIR

COLORADO

NICHOLE FISHBECK

COMMUNITY OUTREACH ASSOCIATE

UT-HOUSTON

Hometown: Houston, TX What made you want to get more involved with ASDA? Love making a difference through organized dentistry :) What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy with school or ASDA? I love being active. I run, do yoga, and play in sport leagues. What is a fun fact about yourself? 3 favorite things: 1. Wine, 2. Dark Chocolate, 3. Golden Retrievers

!Hometown: Grand Junction, CO What made you want to get more involved with ASDA? I caught the ASDA Fever at the San Antonio Regional Meeting my first year of dental school. What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy with school or ASDA? I love being outdoors-‐-‐ hiking, camping, skiing, swimming, running, gardening. I also love traveling, so hopefully I can do some more of that after graduation! What is a fun fact about yourself? I took a botany class in undergrad and absolutely loved it. I think I could become a florist if this dentistry thing doesn't work out :)

COMMUNITY SERVICE



MARISA MCKEE

FUNDRAISING CHAIR

UT-HOUSTON

!Hometown: Forney, TX What made you want to get more involved with ASDA? I was highly involved in ASDA as a pre-‐dental student at Baylor University so it was natural for me to want to continue that involvement when I entered dental school. What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy with school or ASDA? I love to spend time with my fiancé and our two crazy dogs! What is a fun fact about yourself? I was a cheerleader for four years at Baylor University and my dog's name is Baylor. Sic Em'

NATALIE LESINSKI

FUNDRAISING ASSOCIATE

COLORADO

Hometown: Denver, CO What made you want to get more involved with ASDA? As a first year dental student, I have already gained a great deal from ASDA. I hope that by getting more involved I will be better equipped to give back to ASDA, while also helping shape the organization into a stronger and greater organization. What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy with school or ASDA? Although I love dancing in the rain, I would much prefer to dance in the snow. The charm of snow reminds me of my favorite activity: skiing!!! If you can’t find me outdoors (or sticking my tongue out to catch the snowflakes) you can probably find me doing some yoga sun salutations.… oh, and of course, flossing my teeth ; ) What is a fun fact about yourself? I am trilingual.

FUNDRAISING



Hometown: Cuero, TX What made you want to get more involved with ASDA? ASDA is truly an inspiring organization. It provides students with a voice, and allows for students to see the merit in organized dentistry. I believe that students must make it their priority to be aware of changes to the profession, and be accountable for dentistry's reputation. ASDA has a great many tools to make this achievable. It has been a true honor to be selected to serve as an officer in ASDA. I hope to do my part to advocate the benefits of ASDA and organized dentistry. I also see a fire in every student I meet, and this inspires me to be a better student and leader. I am excited to see the growth in this organization. The sky is truly the limit to what we can accomplish when we stand together as a united front. What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy with school or ASDA? I love to run! It is difficult to find time during school, but it is one of my favorite past times. I also enjoy a good read, good food, and biking. Hobbies that I can find time to do during school include cuddling with my boxer puppy Walter and catching an episode of Game of Thrones. What is a fun fact about yourself? My hometown is very small, and is notorious for being the self proclaimed turkey capitol of the world (yes...turkeys...the birds). Therefore, my high school mascot was a turkey (or gobbler). Which means that at one point in my life when I played high school volleyball, I was a Lady Gobbler. You may laugh away, but I think you might be a little jealous.

STEPHANIE GANTER

ADVOCACY CHAIR

BAYLOR

Hometown: McKinney, TX What made you want to get more involved with ASDA? I wanted to have a smooth transition into the ADA. After becoming more involved in ASDA, I’ll be able to effectively hold leadership roles after I graduate dental school. I also wanted to become more involved in advocacy so that I could make correct decisions in upcoming elections and educate others so that they can make informed decisions as well. What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy with school or ASDA? Playing soccer or running long distance What is a fun fact about yourself? I ran in college on a full ride scholarship for cross country, indoor, and outdoor track and field.

GLENNIS KATZMARK

ADVOCACY ASSOCIATE

UT-HOUSTON

ADVOCACY



ANDREA BAKKE

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

SAN ANTONIO

Hometown: Colleyville, TX What made you want to get more involved with ASDA? I wanted to inspire other dental students to want to be leaders now and in the future as dentists in their community. What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy with school or ASDA? wine, yoga, and cooking What is a fun fact about yourself? I am owned by a very handsome dachshund-‐mix.

SHAK FEROZ

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

OKLAHOMA

Hometown: Tulsa, OK What made you want to get more involved with ASDA? My sophomore year of undergrad, Seth Brooks came with other Oklahoma ASDA members for a panel. After, Seth and I sat and spoke about ASDA and all the various aspects that, even as students, they were involved in. From that moment, I had ASDA fever. What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy with school or ASDA? Any outdoor sports or activities, photography and cooking/grilling. What is a fun fact about yourself? English is not my first language

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

KRISTINA MILLER

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

BAYLOR

Hometown: Richardson, TX What made you want to get more involved with ASDA? I was involved in organizations and charities during my time at Texas Christian University and while working in business before deciding to apply to dental school. I learned first hand the impact a group can have when they present a unified front on the local, state, and national levels to better not only its members but also the communities and populations these groups serve. It also seems no coincidence that the dental professionals I most respect and admire have been very involved in organized dentistry throughout their careers. My involvement in ASDA has afforded me the opportunity to continue to learn and grow from their legacy as well as from other dental students throughout the country. What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy with school or ASDA? Anything outdoors, traveling, spending time catching up with family and friends, and watching sports. I also love trying new things and exploring new places! Even though I was born and raised in Dallas, there are always new things to do, places to explore, restaurants to try, and people to meet. What is a fun fact about yourself? I learned sign language in elementary school and last year discovered through a patient in clinic that I surprisingly still remember it. With her help and a little brushing up, I am now able to help interpret for hearing impaired patients at Baylor as well as at dental awareness events and mobile clinics.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL


MEET YOUR DISTRICT 9 LEADERSHIP �9

CHRISTIAN PIERS

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

COLORADO

Hometown: Holland, MI What made you want to get more involved with ASDA? National Leadership Conference 2012 What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy with school or ASDA? Skiing, surfing, and scuba diving What is a fun fact about yourself? Twice in my life I've been part of a 3-‐hour, 18 vs. 18 tug-‐of-‐war that involves digging foxholes and pulling an 800-‐foot rope across a river.

GRAHAM REED

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

UT-HOUSTON

Hometown: Austin, TX What made you want to get more involved with ASDA? My grandfather was very involved in organized dentistry while he was practicing and always told me how important it was to stay informed and participate in it. So when I arrived at UTSD I knew that I wanted to follow his advice and become involved with ASDA. What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not busy with school or ASDA? I enjoy spending time with my wife and going fishing on the Texas coast anytime I can. What is a fun fact about yourself? In a pre-‐dental school life, I performed neurosurgery on mice for my line of work.

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL


MEET YOUR DISTRICT 9 LEADERSHIP �10

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Meet ASDA District 9 Leadership