MCDC Board of Directors
Introducing your Board of Directors:
Patrick Shannon, J.D., M.P.H., Ed.D., Board Chairman
Director of Charter Schools, Bay Mills CC, Brimley
Wilhelm Piskorowski, D.D.S., Board Vice Chair
Director, Community & Outreach Programs, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor
Kevin Cawley, M.H.S.A., Board Treasurer
C.E.O., Sheridan Community Hospital, Sheridan
Lonnie Stevens, M.A., Board Secretary
Executive Director, Thumb Rural Health Network, Port Huron
Mert Aksu, D.D.S., J.D., M.H.S.A.
Dean, University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Detroit
Mary Kushion, M.S.A.
Director/Health Officer, Central MI District Health Dept., Mt. Pleasant, MI
Howard Newkirk
Retired and resides in Boyne City, MI. Previous roles in Compuware Corporation include Senior Vice President of
Client Server Computing and Chief Scientist, Executive Vice President and President of Compuware Systems Programming.
Daniel Sarya, D.D.S., M.P.H.
Orthodontist, Traverse City
Linda VanGills, MA
Health Officer, District Health Department #10
Thomas J. Veryser, D.D.S., M.H.S.A.
C.E.O., Michigan Community Dental Clinics, Boyne City
Gregory P. Heintschel, D.D.S., M.B.A.
Chief Dental Officer, Michigan Community Dental Clinics, Boyne City
MCDC Administrative Staff
Introducing your Administrative Staff:
Chief Executive Officer
Thomas J. Veryser, D.D.S., M.H.S.A.
After graduating from the University of Detroit School of Dentistry in 1970, Dr. Veryser was engaged in private general practice for over twenty years in rural Michigan. In 1992, he completed the master of health services administration (MHSA) program at The University of Michigan, School of Public Health’s department of Health Services Management and Policy.
Since that time, Dr. Veryser has been involved in dental and medical healthcare consulting, working on projects to empower groups of physicians and dentists to deal effectively with the changing healthcare marketplace, and developing dental benefit plans.
From 1997 until 2004, before joining Dental Clinics North, Dr. Veryser was a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and served as the Assistant Dean for Community and Outreach and the Director of the Center for Practice Administration.
In 2004, Dr. Veryser joined Dental Clinics North, a division of the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, serving as its Dental Director.
As director of Community and Outreach Programs, Tom helped develop the University of Michigan’s state-wide program that provides dental students, dental hygiene students, and dental residents clinical experience in community health clinics, where they have the opportunity to provide services to meet the oral healthcare needs of the underserved.
In addition, Dr. Veryser developed and presented the six-course Continuing Education Continuum on practice administration topics – Pathways to Productivity – administered by Michigan and sponsored by the Michigan Dental Association (MDA), and has co-authored an extensive workbook that accompanies that program.
From 2005-2008, Dr. Veryser served on the Board of Directors of the Michigan Oral Health Coalition, and currently serves as a consultant to the MDA’s Access to Care Committee.
Dr. Veryser is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, the Pierre Fauchard Academy, Omicron Kappa Upsilon, and was Chief of Dentistry on the Medical Staff as well as a member, including Chairman, of the Board of Trustees of Huron Memorial Hospital for eighteen years.
Chief Dental Officer
Gregory Heintschel DDS, MBA
Dr. Heintschel began his formal education at the University of Toledo where he earned two bachelor’s degrees. He holds degrees in both secondary education and biology. He followed through with this education by attending dental school at The Ohio State University. His formal education was continued by attending a hospital based General Practice Residency at the Medical College of Ohio at Toledo. While knowing that he received an outstanding education, Dr. Heintschel also realized that his formal education provided only the minimal skills and knowledge to practice dentistry at the highest level with the greatest business acumen. With that understanding he made it his quest to attend the finest continuing education courses available. These courses have included all aspects of clinical dentistry as well as business management. Making education a part of a lifelong learning experience Dr. Heintschel has recently completed his MBA through Lawrence Technological University.
To continue his education Dr. Heintschel has sought out the finest clinicians in the country as his mentors. He has been mentored by, and considers friends, individuals like Dr. Roger Levin, Dr. David Hornbrook, and Dr. Bill Dickerson. The highlight in his professional career came when he was recognized by his peers in 2003 by being awarded the national Cosmetic Practice of the Year award recipient. This award is given to only one general dentist in the country each year which has demonstrated the highest clinical and business skills in the field of cosmetic dentistry. He was featured in dental trade journals throughout 2003 and 2004.
Since moving to Petoskey from Findlay, Ohio, Dr. Heintschel has been an active member of the MDA. He has served as President of the Vacationland District Dental Society, and sits on the MDA’s IFG Insurance Committee. Dr. Heintschel is deeply concerned about increasing access to care for all residents of Michigan and his current position has him immersed in that issue on a daily basis.
Dr. Heintschel has been, and maintains active membership in many dental associations. These associations include The Institute for Healthcare Improvement, The American College of Healthcare Executives, The American Association of Public Health Dentistry, The Academy of General Dentistry, The American Academy of Dentistry, The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, The American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, The Academy of Practice Administration, the Crown Council, and the International Association for Orthodontics. He considers his highest honor to be recognized by and entered into the Pierre Fuachard Academy. This is an honor society of the top clinicians internationally and is by invitation only. Dr. Heintschel has served on several boards for organized dentistry, and in 2006 was elected to the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Heintschel has been an educator, lecturer, author, consultant, and mentor to hundreds of dentists. He has recently published a text titled “Clinical and Administrative Policies and Procedures for the Dental Office”. He currently resides with his family in Petoskey Michigan and enjoys the challenges presented as the Chief Dental Officer for Michigan Community Dental Clinics, Inc.
Chief Financial Officer
Keith Sherwood, M.B.A.
Keith joined the Michigan Community Dental Clinics, Inc. (MCDC) executive leadership team as the Chief Financial Officer in 2007. In this role he is able to combine his 28 years of diverse finance experience to contribute to the expansion of Michigan Community Dental Clinics, Inc.
Keith completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Master’s Degree in Finance from Walsh College in Troy, Michigan. After a brief time in the manufacturing business, Keith joined the ranks of the not-for-profit health insurance industry, where he worked for almost 20 years. Keith worked for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan and Priority Health before joining Community Care Plan (CCP) in 2001 as Executive Director. It was at Community Care Plan that Keith was first exposed to the rewards of working with the Medicaid population. Under his direction, CCP nearly doubled its membership and revenue, and was one of the most profitable Medicaid-only health plans in the State of Michigan. CCP also received the highly coveted Benchmark award from the State of Michigan.
After assisting with the sale and transition of CCP to a national insurance company in 2004, Keith became director of a multi-specialty health center serving the needs of the Medicaid and uninsured population. Under his direction, the operating results improved by $1 million by implementing LEAN process improvement strategies and open access scheduling, and by improving financial reporting tools. The highlight of this time, however, was the eye-opening experience of working directly in a setting that provides health care to the most vulnerable members of society.
Keith has served on the Board of Directors of the West Michigan Consortium and Kent Health Plan. He has also been a member of the Health Communities Access program (HCAP) of Kent County, Health Financial Management Association, Medical Group Management Association, National Management Association, and the Walsh College Association.
Director of Provider Relations and Quality Improvement
David Murphy, D.D.S.
Dentistry has been Dr. Murphy's life passion since graduating from the University of Michigan in 1969. After a tour in the U.S. Air Force, private practice occupied the next quarter-century. After leaving practice due to back problems, Dave spent the last several years teaching students in the clinic at U of M and in the clinic and classroom at KVCC School of Dental Hygiene.
In 2007, he assumed the role of Director of Provider Relations & Quality Improvement for MCDC.
Regional Clinic Administrator
Sandy Kilmer
Sandy has worked in public health for more than 15 years, and started working in the dental field when Dental Clinics North (DCN), a division of The Health Department of Northwest Michigan, was created. While working at DCN, she supervised the Operations staff, including front desk personnel, at DCN's ten dental clinics in northern Michigan.
When Michigan Community Dental Clinics, Inc. was formed, she was excited to transition to the new organization as Director of Operations.
Regional Clinic Administrator
Wendie Rodriguez
Wendie began her career in the dental profession in 1970. She has worked as a chairside assistant, scheduling / financial coordinator, and office administrator, in both large city and rural practices.
In 1987 she was asked to join Linda L. Miles & Associates in Virginia Beach, VA. While with Miles & Associates, Wendie traveled throughout the United States and Canada, conducting in-office consultations, seminars and workshops for dental staffs.
In 1996, Wendie joined DBS Professional Practice Brokers / Dental Business Systems in Bay City, assisting dentists in the sale and acquisition of dental practices. Following her time at DBS, she returned to private practice in Kalamazoo.
Wendie joined MCDC in 2008. When not visiting our clinics, she works remotely from her home in Kalamazoo.
Regional Clinic Administrator
Tracy Cedar
Director of Information Services & Technology
Larry Keys
Larry joined Michigan Community Dental Clinics Inc (MCDC) in 2010 bringing 30 years of experience to the position of Information Systems and Technology Manager.
In his most recent position as Senior Program Manager for Electronic Data Systems (EDS) he coordinated server hosting operations for the General Motors (GM) Global Purchasing Supply Chain and Global Business Services groups. He was responsible for directing information technology resources supporting the infrastructure, applications, security, storage, restore/backup, and email services used by GM.
From 2000 to 2007 Larry was the Client Delivery manager supporting the Focus: HOPE account, a nationally recognized civil and human rights organization in Detroit, Michigan. In this role he and his team were responsible for the information systems used to support the Focus: HOPE organization.
Larry has held numerous positions supporting GM in the area of consistent office environment, application programming and office systems.
Director of Pediatric and Hospital Dentistry
Phillip Monroy, D.D.S.
After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Physiology from Michigan State University in 1999, Dr. Monroy completed his dental education and earned his D.D.S. degree from the University of Michigan in 2003. He went on to complete a Master’s Degree and residency program in Pediatric Dentistry in 2005 through the University of Michigan and Mott Children’s Health Center. Dr. Monroy spent three years in private practice in Muskegon Michigan before joining Michigan Community Dental Clinics in 2008.
Dr. Monroy is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and is board-certified pediatric dentist, the highest level of accomplishment in his specialty. He serves as a Delegate for the Michigan Dental Association, an Executive Board member for the Michigan Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and as a member of the Continuing Education Committee for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He also is a member of Special Care in Dentistry, an organization dedicated to the oral health needs of those individuals with special health issues.
Dr. Monroy is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Michigan, teaching dental students that rotate through his clinic. He is a medical staff member of Mercy General Health Partners in Muskegon where he delivers hospital-based care to very young children and those with special needs. Dr. Monroy has several publications, including articles on Infant Oral Health and tooth grinding in Autistic Patients. Dr. Monroy is a founding member of the Points of Light project, which aims to provide dental homes for all children one year of age and above in the State of Michigan. He has given numerous continuing education lectures on topics ranging from infant oral health to pediatric restorative techniques and materials.
Director of Human Resources
Jamie Caroffino
Jamie completed her Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration from Central Michigan University in 2002. Her career has taken her to Minnesota, Indiana, Alaska, and now back to her home state of Michigan.
She has worked with a personnel consulting firm, a global manufacturer, and a public university in a variety of capacities, all in some way related to employee needs and relations. She enjoys the challenge of managing an organization’s workforce so that its mission can be achieved. She has earned a Human Resources Generalist certificate from The George Washington University.
Jamie joined MCDC in early 2009 as a Human Resources Assistant and has since moved into the role of Human Resources Manager, responsible for all the personnel needs of the organization’s 21 clinics.
Executive Assistant
Cheryl Tackett
Cheryl joined Michigan Community Dental Clinics, Inc. (MCDC) in 2010 in the position of Executive Administrative Assistant.
Cheryl began her career in Education, having graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from Northern Illinois University. She soon changed career paths and has since enjoyed supporting executive level staff of several global manufacturers, a partner in an insurance defense law firm and most recently, a national exposition and displays contractor.