Monterey County’s 2012
Outstanding Women’s Event
Thank you for this incredible honor. Just being in the company of these four amazing women gives me such joy. All of us in our own way---whether it be big or small—are carrying out our passion to create a better community in which to live.
After I graduated Dental School at UCLA and I was asked to come back and teach, one of my professors told me—as an educator your job is to find and tell the students what they are doing Right. I think that the Monterey County Commission on the Status of Women is doing just that….educating us all by singly out women each year, honoring them and letting us know—You’re doing something Right. Keep it up.
Each of us are students in life. It starts with our families, our teachers and friends, our employers and then how we interact with our community. What we learn , is what we give.
I was raised in Los Angeles and escaped to the Monterey Peninsula with my young family in 1995. I am one of the lucky ones…I have a very loving and supportive family, I was allowed to go to college and follow my dreams, and I had enormous encouragement all along the way. Family support is paramount. The love, the cheers, the hugs—three essential components we all need to grow up.
Professionally, I followed the inside track---by that I mean, I worked as a dental assistant, a receptionist, and as a dental hygienist before returning to school to become a dentist. This meant full support from my loving husband, Kevin, loans from my family to help us keep our house and attend school full time, as well as student loans. My employers encouraged me to pursue my education through their letters of recommendation, mentoring and words of wisdom. People believed that I could do it; I just needed to do the work and get the education.
After our daughters were born, Kevin and I made the decision that we wanted to raise them in a better environment than L.A. We visited the Peninsula and felt comfortable and welcome. The dental community was small—only four women dentists out of 120. Dr. Chuck Linkenbach wanted to retire and he felt that I would be a good fit for his patients. So in April 1995, we had a ten month old, a two and a half year old and a baby practice…..Tag Team parenting, patient’s teenagers for babysitters, St. Angela’s Children’s Center, Parent’s Place, Dance Kids of Monterey County…We were a young family and a young Practice that thrived from the love, friendship, and support from this Community.
With my daughters grown and almost on their own, I have been able to give more of my time and support to Community projects. My heart and gratitude goes into programs for our children and women. For me, it’s about Encouragement, Opportunities and Education …..
When my girls were young we were involved with Dance Kids of Monterey County. Dance Kids exposes youngsters to Music, Dance and Performing Arts. I have watched The Nutcracker transform shy 4 and 5 year olds into poised, talented performers year after year. Such a gift for the children, the families and the audiences—a Holiday tradition of going to see the Nutcracker has been established for residents from King City to Watsonville. Through a charitable program called Smiles for Life, my office donates proceeds from teeth whitening to Dance Kids and Garth Brook’s Teammates for Kids. The Teammates Foundation money goes to national children’s charities. There is more information on my website or we have brochures if anyone is interested in supporting those programs.
As a mother and healthcare professional, I believe in PREVENTING crisis. I got involved with the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center because I felt that Awareness and Education were keys to preventing sexual assaults. We can’t bury our heads in the sand and say it doesn’t happen here—it does. Programs for building young people’s self-esteem, how to deal with bullies or inappropriate behavior, and knowledge of where to find help are crucial for a safer community. I support MCRCC because they are working very hard in our schools on the Peninsula, as well as in South County and Salinas.
As a dentist-- I have had the opportunity to deal with Crisis Management. My team and I have restored the smiles of victims of Domestic Violence. Smiles are a crucial part of our self esteem and how we interact with the world. When these victims have been able to extricate themselves from their abusers, there are programs here to help them restore their lives. My role is to Give Back a Smile—my laboratory, team and I donate our services and help these victims—usually women, feel whole again. This has allowed them better presentation for job interviews and it rids them of the physical evidence of what they have experienced so they can move forward.
This community has given me and my family so much and I see it as my job to give back. Whether it’s supporting a graduating Monterey High senior in her journey with a scholarship, serving on non-profit and the Chamber of Commerce Boards, or giving money and time to causes that benefit women and children-----I’m just doing my part to continue to create this wonderful community.
Many of you have seen my commercials and you might think we focus on beauty, but true beauty comes from health. When we are well, emotionally, physically and spiritually we are at our most beautiful. I think the same goes for our community. When we are able to encourage harmony and happiness in place of misfortune, or lost opportunity, then we have a healthy, well and vibrant community.
For anyone who has benefitted from the support of others, giving back is not just an obligation; it is an honor. For me, my dental practice team and my family, we give a lot, but we think we receive even more.
Thank you all for helping to build and support such a healthy vibrant community for all of us.
