DentalUM

News

Katie Graber of Deerfield, Illinois, is practicing dentistry with her father, Dr. Lee Graber (DDS1971) in nearby Vernon Hills, Illinois. Katie and her husband, John Evarts, welcomed a son, Michael, into the world in December 2006.

Recently married, Scott Szotko (DDS 1999) and Kimber Sherlock (DH 2000) are each working in private practices in LaJolla, California. Scott is the president of the San Diego Young Dentists organization and is active with many state-level committees. He and Kimber are also active in the San Diego U-M Alumni Club.

Karen-Lee Jones Stewart (DDS 1994) of Ann Arbor, Michigan, recently completed the ADA's Institute for Leadership and Diversity Program. Her project was Oral Health Literacy, Working with the Public Libraries. Stewart donated and developed a dental area for each of the public libraries in Washtenaw County.

Michael "Reggie" VanderVeen (DDS 1976) of Grand Rapids, Michigan, received the West Michigan District Dental Society's Silent Bell Award during the group's annual banquet last December. Presented annually since 1981, the award is the Society's highest honor that recognizes a member of the organization, active or retired, for his or her service to the dental profession and the community.

Before receiving the award, VanderVeen was described as one who "was involved in all aspects of organized dentistry at local, state, and national levels." Citing his involvement in professional and community organizations and the U-M School of Dentistry, where he's a member of the campaign committee, the tribute noted that he continues "to be passionately engaged in helping the public, mentoring young dentists, and making a difference in his community."

Donald Carlsen (DDS 1958) of Midland, Michigan, was inducted into that community's Junior Achievement Hall of Fame las fall. The annual event honors leaders there with a long-term record of outstanding achievement and who have made significant contributions to their profession or the organization.

A retired orthodontist who practised in Midland from 1960 to 1993, Carlsen was a former board member of JA and has been extensively involved in community activities. During induction ceremonies, he was described by Terry Moore, MidMichigan Health president and CEO as an individual who "has done so much for so many for so long." Moore said that Carlsen is "one of a very small group of people who are always willing to do things for others... on a daily basis and who do it cheerfully."

Among his many community activities, Carlsen has worked with dentists with the Midland County Dental Society to provide free dental care to the needy under the auspices of Midland's "Adopt a Child's Smile" program...been a mentor for a co-op program that encouraged senior high school students to become dentists (35 did, including Dr. Norman Betts, former department chair at the School of Dentistry)..and is active on the board of directors of the "Hidden Harvest" drive that collects food and delivers it to local food pantries to help feed the needy in the Midland, Saginaw, and Bay City area. Last year, approximately 1.6 million pounds of food were collected.

"I didn't seek the award and I'm grateful for the opportunity to be of service to a community that has been very good to me for so long," Carlsen said. "For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to give back in a meaningful way. That's why I have tried to live my motto which is 'learn, earn, and return'," he said.

Alumni News

• »Katie Graber (DDS 2002)
• »Scott Szotko (DDS 1999)
• »Kimber Sherlock (DH 2000)
• »Karen-Lee Jones Stewart (DDS 1994)
• »Michael "Reggie" VanderVeen (DDS 1976)
• »Donald Carlsen (DDS.1958)