NADG provides non-clinical administrative support for its affiliated practices including human resources, information technology, marketing, payroll, and accounting services. The organization’s clinical approach is determined by the doctor-led Professional Dental Alliance, which also provides career advancement and research development opportunities.

Lakewood Ranch was founded by Dr. Michael Kanter, who began his dental career in the United States Army as a dental hygienist. After completing his tour of duty, he earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and later his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree from the University of Florida College of Dentistry.

Dr. Kanter completed his residency training at the Jacksonville Health Education Programs in the Department of General Dentistry. He is a graduate of the prestigious Misch International Implant Institute and has earned his Diplomate Status with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He is also a member of the American Dental Association, the West Coast Dental Association, Manatee County Dental Society and the Sarasota County Dental Society.

Dr. Kanter will join NADG as a partner with the company. Lakewood Ranch also features a full team of dental hygienists, assistants, and administrators and four other dentists including – Drs. Peter Masterson, Leonid Blinn, Violet Laurey, and Michael Bettner.

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About North American Dental Group

North American Dental Group (NADG), based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was co-founded in 2008 by Ken Cooper and Dr. Andrew Matta. NADG was created to transform the dental experience for patients, clinicians, and support teams and today consists of a network of 250-plus supported dental practices across 15 states. The values of maintaining an emotionally intelligent approach, being thoughtful educators, and displaying a healthy bravado fuel its day-to-day patient care and operations. These founding values are alive and well as NADG celebrates its pioneer spirit by solidifying its partnership with Jacobs Holding AG. For more information, please visit: www.NADentalGroup.com.

For Information:
Reginald Fields
FieldsR@nadentalgroup.com
614-537-7943

MEET DEMETRIUS GRAY, Dad to Naveyah (12), Demetrius (10), and Ava (4). Demetrius is the office manager at Refresh Dental – Middleburg Heights in Northeast Ohio Region.

What would you like your kids to remember about you?

One thing I would like them to remember is that I’m the “FUN” parent. We always try to seek something new to do together – either going to different parks, beaches, indoor entertainment centers, or road trips. I want them to remember the times we cooked food together, decorated Christmas trees, dressed up for Halloween, every special occasion, and holiday. I want to be sure my kids remember that no matter what circumstances life throws at us, has thrown at us, or will throw at us in the future that I will be front and center to make sure we get through them together and that they are the most important people in my life. I want to make sure they remember the great conversations we had that has given them the knowledge they can use throughout life. Lastly, I want to be sure that they remember that their dad is hard working and fun and that I love them more than anything.

GET TO KNOW BRETT DELOACH, Dad to Layla (7) and Skylar (4). Brett is the treatment coordinator at Winning Smiles – Amherst in New York Region 2.

The term “girl dad” has recently gained popularity. What’s it like to be a ‘girl dad’?

Happy to answer that question! I say proudly to people about twice a week that I am “a girl dad” (RIP “Girl Dad” Kobe Bryant). Anyone who knows me knows that my girls are my world. I am blessed with two beautiful girls

that call me “daddy.” The oldest, who is 7, is my biological child and her sister is 4. To be a dad you don’t have to be their biological father. I’m so incredibly proud of the young ladies they are becoming. They have both taught me so much about life. I am truly lucky to have their smiles to help encourage me to do my best daily – whether that’s in life or in the workplace.

CHATTING WITH ELIZABETH (SANDERS) WOHALA, daughter to Dr. J. Clarke Sanders. Elizabeth is a field marketing manager for the NADG Marketing team. Dr. Sanders is an NADG Partner and Group Founder at Stonecreek Dental Group in the Central Ohio Region.

Since you grew up in a dental family, what was it like working with your dad in his practice? How has he helped shaped the person you are today?

It was a fun time! I got to see how he interacted with his team and his patients.

Whenever a patient found out that I was his daughter, they would say – “Is this how he is at home?” I always proudly said – “The way he is with his team and patients is exactly how he is in everyday life and as a father.” He is someone everyone looks up to. He is a leader who truly cares about his team and patients and that is why he is so loved.

He has taught me some of the most important lessons in life – to always have integrity; to give to those in need; to work hard; to be kind; to laugh and be goofy; and, to always try and make the best of every situation.

As hard as he worked, and for as many hours as he put in, he always showed up. He was always there for our family and he and my mom are my biggest cheerleaders. He taught me to never give up. Even when a fire burned down his entire practice many years ago, he taught me that life doesn’t always go as planned but we still stand tall and figure it out while keeping a positive attitude.

He can always see something good in everything and is a role model to not only me but so many others. He is a true leader, a caring friend, a goofball, and the best dad a girl could ask for!

CONNECTING WITH DR. ANTHONY LE, Dad to Paxton (6), Haven (4), Emme (2), and Mason (9 months). Dr. Le is an NADG Partner who practices at Refresh Dental – Rochester in Michigan Region 2.

You have a full house with 4 young children! What do you love most about being a dad?

Being a dad has been a blessing. Seeing them adapt and learn new things astonishes me. I love that they’re dependent upon my wife and I and will be sad when they grow out of that stage and don’t need us anymore. The ever-changing words that they come up with to describe things has been funny to hear. I love how excited they get when I come home with all their bright smiles and open arms. I would not change anything about it. I love being a dad to them!

REMINISCING WITH KIM SLOAN, daughter to Tom Snyder. Kim is an east market HR business partner for NADG’s Human Resources team.

What are the most important life lessons you’ve learned from your Dad?

I love this question because one of my favorite comments is that I’ve learned all my bad habits from my dad. Ha! The life lessons are endless. But I would say the important things that I have learned from my dad are all centered around his work ethic. You give your all, no matter what. It’s not for glory or praise, it’s the right thing to do.

His empathy and compassion. My father would give everything he has to help others. He was a teacher his entire life and as a child with one sibling, I truly thought I had hundreds (of siblings) because anyone that needed anything became my sibling.

But most of all love. This has been the hardest year in my family’s life because my mother died unexpectedly of a heart attack on May 26, 2020. I was blessed enough to see her two days before her death, but this was the day after my parents 57th anniversary. It was so difficult to watch my hero, the man I have always looked to for everything, broken. What I learned was love.

My father has done the best that can be expected with this big life change in losing his soulmate. Since then, he has left his home of 80 years to move closer to my family (and sister’s family) in Florida. I have been blessed by now having him less than five minutes from my home. Now I get to repay him by being his caregiver and enjoy dinner with him every night. Every day we miss my mom. But we speak of the “silver lining” that we now get to see each other every day. I get to help him like he always helped me and to worry as I am sure he did so much about me. He is still my hero. But I get to help him and be his sidekick.

BEING INSPIRED BY NICK VATALARO, dad to Isabella and Anthony. Nick is regional director of operations for the Northeast Ohio Region.

Where do you find inspiration as a single dad?

As we approach Father’s Day, I am experiencing the second holiday as a single father. Thanks to my family, and my children’s mother, it still feels special. To say being a single dad is easy would be a lie. I miss my children every evening when they aren’t with me. The inability to kiss them goodnight and make them breakfast in the morning is a struggle. But it is nothing compared to my sister’s situation.

If you want to talk about an inspiration, I look at my sister, Heather. Being a single parent is difficult regardless of the situation, and I don’t want to downplay that for anyone’s life. However, in my experience, I have witnessed the most difficult of all situations in viewing what my sister went through. Her husband, Joe, my best friend, passed away due to a glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. I went from having a beer with my best friend to helping him do the basics, such as, take a shower. During this time, I watched my sister navigate grief, pain, and most importantly motherhood.

Being a single parent is a challenge for everyone. Yet, watching my sister explain to her son why he needs to say goodbye to his father before hospice picks him up, there is nothing comparable. While I know the example is drastic, I know every day I am striving to be the parent my sister was through those years. Parenting has zero to do with being a father or a mother but has everything to do with the moments you create. I am eternally grateful that I was able to witness the mother and woman my sister became which gave me something to strive for each day.

So, as Father’s Day approaches, I want to celebrate the woman that taught me to be a better man and a better parent regardless of the situation. I’m not surprised to say that my Father’s Day is firmly based upon the mothers and women that shaped my life.

Thanks to these exceptional team members for sharing their stories. And thanks to all the fathers at NADG. You are an inspiration to us all. Have a wonderful Father’s Day weekend.

This week, President Biden signed legislation marking June 19 as National Independence Day which formally recognizes Juneteenth as a national holiday. This day marks an important and necessary shift in our country’s rich history, an enduring moment when all people – regardless of skin color or ethnicity – were declared to be free and treated as equal. The U.S. has come a long way over the past 156 years but not without significant racial unrest and civil injustice turmoil that continues to plague our country today.

At NADG, we are committed to embodying the spirit of this day – celebrating inclusiveness, championing diversity, and living empathetically while ardently rejecting all forms of bias, discrimination, and hatred. This is the culture we continue to build.

This culture building effort is being led by our Diversity & Inclusion Committee and involves our entire NADG family. Over the past year, our Committee continue to support Team Members impacted by racial and civil unrest with strong public statements of support and outreach. More recently, the Committee launched five Team Member Resource Groups to offer outlets for discussion and sharing of ideas on diverse issues that might impact the workplace. It is through these efforts we strive to continue creating community and safe spaces for all our NADG family.

The spirit of Juneteenth is alive and well at NADG. Our strength is our culture, and our culture of inclusion is you. Thank you.

For more information, please contact:
Rodney Thomas
Vice President, Clinical Strategy 
Chair, Diversity & Inclusion Committee

Julie Penn

Pittsburgh, PA (June 15, 2021) – North American Dental Group (NADG), a leading dental support organization, has hired Julie Penn for the newly created role of Chief Growth Officer. In this position, Penn will be responsible for patient engagement and retention marketing and communication efforts for NADG’s network of 250-plus supported dental practices across 15 states.

NADG provides non-clinical administrative support for its affiliated practices including human resources, information technology, marketing, payroll, and accounting services. The organization’s clinical approach is determined by its doctor-led Professional Dental Alliance, which also provides career advancement and research development opportunities.

“We have built a company with an empathetic culture whose ultimate North Star is exceptional, uncharted patient satisfaction and retention,” said NADG CEO Ken Cooper. “Julie brings a wealth of marketing experience in the health care field which I believe will help us better the patient experience in our offices, support our teams in the field, and drive our overall growth strategy. We’re pleased to have her join our team.”

Penn comes to NADG from MedExpress, a leading national urgent care platform, where she most recently was executive vice president, chief strategy and growth officer overseeing marketing, communications, strategy and innovations. During her tenure at MedExpress, Penn held a variety of roles with increasing responsibility focused on creating a best-in-class patient experience. She previously held marketing and brand strategy positions at SmartBuilder and RB and has served as an adjunct marketing professor at West Virginia University.

At NADG, Penn will be responsible for facilitating patient awareness and engagement, branding strategy, marketing analytics, field marketing, and communications.

“I am excited and honored to join the NADG family and to work alongside a talented, dedicated and compassionate team,” Penn said. “NADG truly is a mission-driven organization, authentically striving every day to provide best-in-class dental care to every patient, at every visit. I look forward to helping the organization grow to provide unparalleled oral care to more communities and patients across the country.”

Penn earned a bachelor’s degree from Emory University and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from New York University’s Stern School of Business. She lives in Morgantown, WV with her husband, Mark, and their daughters, Annabel and Rebecca.

For Information:
Reginald Fields
FieldsR@nadentalgroup.com
614-537-7943

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About North American Dental Group

North American Dental Group (NADG), based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was co-founded in 2008 by Ken Cooper and Dr. Andrew Matta. NADG was created to transform the dental experience for patients, clinicians, and support teams and today consists of a network of 250-plus supported dental practices across 15 states. The values of maintaining an emotionally intelligent approach, being thoughtful educators, and displaying a healthy bravado fuel its day-to-day patient care and operations. These founding values are alive and well as NADG celebrates its pioneer spirit by solidifying its partnership with Jacobs Holding AG. For more information, please visit: www.NADentalGroup.com.