Bio coming soon!

David Owsiany has been Executive Director of the Ohio Dental Association since 2002. He previously served as Director of Legislative and Legal Services for the ODA, was a clerk to Justice Robert W. Cook of the Illinois Appellate Court, worked on the staff of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, and was President of the Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions. Owsiany earned his BA degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and his JD degree from the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis.

Georgeann Kamer, RDH, MSA is an Associate Professor in the Dental Hygiene Program at Shawnee State University, where she also serves as the first-year clinical coordinator and Program Director of Dental Hygiene. She is a graduate of Shawnee State Community College, earning an Associate of Applied Health Science in Dental Hygiene in 1986. She later completed both a Bachelor of Individual Studies in Health Care Administration in 1999 from SSU and a Master of Science in Administration with a concentration in Health Care Administration from Central Michigan University in 2005. Mrs. Kamer began her career in private dental practice, where she worked for 27 years as a registered dental hygienist. What began as a personal goal to earn a two-year degree developed into a passion for education and a desire to contribute to higher education. Her professional focus eventually transitioned from clinical practice to academic instruction. She has been involved with the Dental Hygiene Program at Shawnee State for 17 years as adjunct faculty and for the past 13 years as a full-time faculty member. In her current roles as Associate Professor, first-year clinical coordinator, and Program Director, she is committed to fostering student success and preparing future dental hygienists for professional practice. Mrs. Kamer resides in Tollesboro, Kentucky, with her husband and is the proud mother of three adult children and grandmother to three grandchildren. She finds great fulfillment in education and values the opportunity to mentor students as they work toward achieving their academic and professional goals.

Haley Miller serves as a Health Services Policy Analyst (Epidemiologist and Evaluator) for the Ohio Department of Health’s Oral Health Program. In this role, she leads data analysis, surveillance, and evaluation efforts that support statewide oral health initiatives. Her work focuses on translating complex data into actionable insights to inform evidence based preventive dental services, guide program planning, and improve access to oral health care across Ohio. She regularly analyzes statewide datasets and evaluates initiatives such as school-based oral health programs and medical dental integration efforts. Haley earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biological Anthropology from Wright State University in 2022 and her Master of Public Health in Population Health from Wright State University in 2025. She also holds graduate certificates in Public Health Leadership and Health Care Management. Prior to joining the Ohio Department of Health, Haley worked in surveillance and data management at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and gained experience in both clinical and laboratory settings, which informed her interest in population health and the use of data to improve health outcomes. Haley lives in Columbus, Ohio with her husband, Zach, and their son, Hudson. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading, and spending time with her family.

Dr. Jacinto Beard is a general practice dentist and owner of two offices in the Columbus Northland community. As such, he takes tremendous pride in his 30+ years of service to the Central Ohio community. In his offices he provides dental services to private pay, traditional insurance and Medicaid patients. Dr. Beard received his B.S. in biology from Gannon University located in his hometown of Erie, PA. He matriculated to The Ohio State University where he received his DDS in 1990. Prior to opening his first private practice in the Columbus Northland community, Dr. Beard served as the dental director of the FQHC Primary Health Care in Erie, PA., and he provided services to the Ohio Department of Corrections as a contracted dental provider. He is currently the National Dental Director for Molina Healthcare, a company that focuses on providing healthcare to those on government insurance programs. Dr. Beard has served on many boards and committees, including the Ohio State Dental Board, The OSU College of Dentistry Alumni Society (past, President), the Columbus Dental Society (past President) The Columbus Association of Dentists (past, President). He is an examiner for the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX). Dr. Beard is an active member of the National Dental Association, the Ohio Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Dr. Beard holds membership in several other organizations including The Academy of General Dentistry, International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists. Dr. Beard enjoys giving back to the Columbus Community by donating dental services through Physicians Care Connection dental program, Remote Area Medical (RAM) dental program, Colgate Healthy Smiles mobile dental unit and a variety of other church and community service projects. Dr. Beard and his wife, Karen, have three adult children who all have chosen careers in dentistry.

Jack Benjamin serves as President of the Board of Trustees of the Columbus Historical Society, where he helps lead efforts to preserve and share the rich history of Columbus and the surrounding region. Over the years he has played many roles within the organization, including Executive Vice President, Secretary, Exhibits Chair, and Real Estate Committee Chair. He is also a frequent exhibit docent and has contributed articles to the Columbus History Journal as well as the Historical Society’s column in Senior Times. Benjamin has long been active in community and civic initiatives. In Grove City and across Central Ohio, he has volunteered with local committees and planning groups, helping support community development and public engagement with local history. He has also participated in fundraising and awareness efforts for organizations supporting children’s health and disability programs, including annual participation in charitable cycling events. In addition to his historical and civic work, Benjamin is involved in a number of regional heritage and service organizations. He is a member of several historical and cultural groups and has served in leadership and volunteer roles within faith-based and social-action initiatives dedicated to strengthening communities and supporting underserved populations. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, Benjamin brings decades of leadership experience to his volunteer work and remains deeply committed to preserving local history and strengthening community connections through education and public engagement.

Justin R. Nance is a dental hygienist, educator, and advocate for the advancement of the dental hygiene profession. He serves as an Assistant Professor and Clinic Coordinator in a dental hygiene program, where he enjoys mentoring students and helping prepare the next generation of oral health professionals for clinical practice. Justin’s career in dental hygiene has included roles in pediatric dentistry, private practice, research, and higher education. These experiences have given him a well-rounded perspective on patient care and the evolving role of dental hygienists within the healthcare system. He is passionate about prevention, patient education, and expanding access to oral health care. In addition to his work in education, Justin is actively involved in professional leadership. He currently serves as President of the Ohio Dental Hygienists’ Association and is an ambassador for the American Dental Hygienists’ Association Hygienist Inspired program. Through these roles, he works to support dental hygienists, promote the profession, and encourage students to pursue careers in dental hygiene.

Laura Sorg, MD, FAAFP is excited to serve as the Medical Director for the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. Throughout her nineteen-year career as a physician, Dr. Laura has focused on care throughout the life span, rural medicine, and caring for those with intellectual disabilities. Her goal is to expand awareness of preventative care to the over 110,000 Ohioans with developmental disabilities served by the Department, as well as education to the health care professionals serving them. Raised on a cattle farm in Southwest Ohio, her passion for caring for others started as a classroom assistant in fourth grade to children with disabilities. Dr. Laura’s devotion to the field was cemented when her youngest son was diagnosed with autism at the age of two. Her unique perspective as a family physician, mom and medical director has led her to serve on multiple committees in her home state including the State Health Assessment/ State Health Improvement Plan, Rural Health Transformation Grant Committee and State Oral Health Plan Committee. She has also authored several journal articles including Medical Myth: “Wait and See” in Early Childhood Development and Intellectual Disability Psychiatry: A Primer for PCPs for The Ohio Family Physician.

Luke Burroughs, RDH, MPH is the Dental Hygiene Program Director at the University of Cincinnati, Blue Ash College. Since joining the faculty in 2015, he has served as an instructor in the clinic and laboratory. He has also taught the following courses: Oral Medicine and Medical Emergencies, Preventive Dentistry, Introduction to Dental Hygiene, Public Health for Dental Hygiene, and Patients with Special Needs. Luke prepares his students to present oral health presentations for school children and other community groups, an initiative that is part of the program’s emphasis on community service and health education. Improving oral health among nursing home residents is another major interest of his. As one component of this effort, Luke and his colleague Molly Mihlbachler cowrote the current oral care standards and guidelines for Ohio’s Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program.

Michelle Kohler, DDS, MPH is the Chief Dental Officer for Government Programs for Delta Dental of Michigan, Indiana and Ohio where she leads a team of clinicians, community health workers and data analysts serving the quality needs of all Medicaid and Medicare members. Her teams are responsible for clinical oversight on all government program claims, prior authorization policies and procedures, utilization management and review, as well as all member outreach, care coordination and case management, performance improvement projects, utilization and quality analytics and reporting, as well as value-based payment projects. Prior to joining Delta Dental, she served as an administrator and subject matter expert for the State of Colorado, Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing, administering the Medicaid and CHP+ dental contracts as well as charged with vendor oversight. She is a dentist by profession, graduating from Indiana University School of Dentistry and obtaining her Master’s Degree in Public Health specific to Health Systems Management and Policy from the University of Colorado. Her clinical practice experience includes various dental practice settings, including a Federally Qualified Health Center where she served as a preceptor for dental students along with seeing patients, as well as clinical practice within a WIC clinic. She also spent nearly a decade teaching dental hygiene students in various capacities, including five years in program management.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Dr. Natalia Chalmers is a board-certified pediatric dentist and 2025 AAPD Pediatric Dentist of the Year, oral health policy expert, and public health advocate bringing over 20 years of clinical, research, and regulatory experience to the forefront of dental innovation. As the Chief Dental Officer and Head of Clinical Innovation at Overjet, she leverages data-driven insights to transform dental healthcare delivery and ensure access to high-quality, patient-centered care. Previously, Dr. Chalmers made history as the first Chief Dental Officer in the Office of the Administrator at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). There, she led groundbreaking initiatives to expand dental coverage, established the first CMS dental claims processing system, and implemented new quality measurements that reshaped the national conversation on oral health. Her public sector leadership also includes tenure as a Dental Officer at the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A recognized expert in clinical analytics, Dr. Chalmers is dedicated to advocating for the role of health policy across the lifespan—viewing dental well-being as intrinsic to whole-person care. Dr. Chalmers completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the Faculty of Dental Medicine of the Medical University of Sofia, a residency in pediatric dentistry at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, and a Ph.D. in oral microbiology from the Graduate Partnerships Program of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research at the National Institutes of Health, Post-doctoral Fellowship at the ADA Forsyth Institute, and Clinical Research Fellowship at the National Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health. Dr. Chalmers holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Research from Duke Medical University and a Certificate in Drug Development and Regulatory Science from the University of California, San Francisco School of Pharmacy.

Dr. Casamassimo received his dental degree from Georgetown University in 1974 and a Master of Science and Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Iowa in 1976. He has taught at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry (1976-78) and the University of Colorado School of Dentistry (1978-88). He is Editor Emeritus of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and its journal, Pediatric Dentistry, and also a past-president of the specialty of pediatric dentistry. Dr. Casamassimo is a past-president of the Academy of Dentistry for the Handicapped and past editor of the Journal of Dentistry for the Handicapped. He is past editor of the Journal of Dentistry for Children. He has authored or edited over 500 publications in the areas of pediatric dentistry, care of persons with special health care needs, and dental education, including 3 books. His research interests include oral health of children and adults with special health care needs, health services research, and oral health disparity and he has received numerous private and public grants and contracts. He is a member of a number of professional organizations including the American Dental Association (ADA), as well as Omicron Kappa Upsilon honor fraternity and AAPD. Dr. Casamassimo is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Casamassimo was the 2002 recipient of the AAPD Distinguished Service Award and in 2003, was honored by the Ohio Dental Association with its Humanitarian Award. In 2006, he received the Merle C. Hunter Award for Service from AAPD and in 2007, the AAPD Manuel Album Award for his work with patients with special needs. He is a 2007 recipient of Nationwide Children’s Hospital Career Contribution Award. In 2012, he was named Pediatric Dentist of the Year by the AAPD. In 2016, he was named Ron Bell Mentor of the Year by the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. In 2017 he was the Ohio Dental Association’s Distinguished Dentist and was awarded the ADA’s annual Norton M. Ross Award for Clinical Research. In 2021, he received a Presidential Citation from the AAPD. In 2021, he received the Callahan Award from the Ohio Dental Association. He was noted as the most-cited author in the world on the topic of pediatric dentistry in the first quarter of this century (Cureus, 2025) and is one of the top three authors of the 100 most cited papers in the history of pediatric dentistry (Eur Arch Paediatr Dent 2020). Dr. Casamassimo is board-certified in pediatric dentistry and is an attending dentist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital where he served as president of the medical staff in 1999. He is a Past-President of the Ohio Dental Association and currently Chief Policy Officer of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in Chicago, Illinois. He currently serves the Ohio State Medicaid Program as a policy consultant and its only dentist, and he was chosen as one of six section editors for the NIDCR’s Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges. He was 2022 chair of the ADA’s Dental Quality Alliance.

Samantha Morales joined Justice in Aging in 2024, and is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As a member of the Health Team, Samantha works collaboratively to advance initiatives that improve access to essential benefits for low-income older adults enrolled in the Medicare and Medicaid programs including work on duals integration, Medicare Savings Programs, and oral health. Samantha brings over 10 years of experience serving older adults in public service in the non-profit sector notably at the Medicare Rights Center and in state government at the New Mexico Aging and Long-term Services Department. Prior to joining Justice in Aging, Samantha served as the Director of the Home Health Aide program at Encuentro, a community-based non-profit organization serving the Spanish speaking immigrant community in Albuquerque. Samantha holds a BA in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Arts degree in Politics from the New School University in New York.

Star Sawicki currently serves as the State Oral Health Program Administrator for the Ohio Department of Health’s Oral Health Program. In this role, she leads a team focused on promoting and improving the oral health of all Ohioans. The program accomplishes this through four focus areas: oral health data and surveillance, expanding access to dental care, the delivery of school-based oral health services, and medical-dental integration. Star earned her dental hygiene degree from Shawnee State University in 2008 and her Master in Public Health in Health Policy and Management from Kent State University in 2018. Early on in her private practice dental hygiene career, Star felt drawn to public health and began volunteering as a dental hygienist in a free clinic. In 2016, Star was lucky enough to transition her career full-time to dental public health at the Ohio Department of Health. Personally, Star lives in Westerville, OH with her husband, Mike and two children, Lucas and Holly. In her free time, she enjoys gravel biking and traveling with her family.

Bio coming soon!

Tiffany LaCour is a Senior Program Officer at the HealthPath Foundation of Ohio and the Public Health Fund of Ohio, bringing more than 15 years of experience advancing community-driven initiatives and building strong partnerships. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati, she holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in Community Planning.

My name is Valery Villeda. I am a proud Latina with a family from El Salvador. Growing up, I have never really felt I belonged to a specific group. I came across dentistry starting as a dental assistant for 3 years and decided to expand my knowledge to dental hygiene. I’m now a student at Columbus State Community College Dental Hygiene program hoping to continue growing in the field and make an impact.

Vaughn Flasher, President of Capitol Strategies Group LLC, possesses a rare blend of expertise in both the public policy and political arenas. During the past thirty years, Vaughn has served as a top public policy and political advisor to many elected leaders and legislative caucuses in Ohio and has managed numerous successful candidate and ballot issue campaigns at the federal, state and local levels. In 2005, Vaughn launched Capitol Strategies Group LLC, a multi-disciplined, multi-client government affairs and political consulting firm. During the past 21 years, Vaughn has demonstrated a consistent ability to deliver results and meet clients’ needs. He is widely recognized for his results-oriented approach to lobbying and he has been instrumental in helping numerous corporations, trade associations and nonprofit organizations achieve their government affairs objectives. Prior to founding Capitol Strategies Group LLC, Vaughn served as a Senior Policy Advisor to House Speaker Jo Ann Davidson. In this capacity, he was responsible for coordinating numerous key policy initiatives for the majority caucus, including legislation pertaining to insurance, health care and human services. Preceding this role, Vaughn served as a Legislative Service Commission intern and Legislative Research Assistant in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Dr. Wendy Bowles has been a nurse for more than three decades and has practiced as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner since 1998, when she participated in early grassroots advocacy efforts supporting nurse practitioners across Ohio. In 2005, she transitioned into nursing education, quickly recognizing the vital role of preparing new nurses for the demands of an evolving healthcare environment. She is committed to advancing evidence based teaching and learning practices in nursing education. Dr. Bowles’ scholarly work centers on alternative pedagogies, curriculum design and innovative approaches to student engagement. She has disseminated her research broadly through national and international podium and poster presentations. Her funded projects have included collaborative statewide efforts to create seamless academic pathways from associate degree programs to baccalaureate nursing education. She has also contributed to initiatives expanding the integration of Registered Nurses in Primary Care settings, with a focus on embedding this role within pre licensure curricula. Dr. Bowles has also worked on funding initiatives that included simulated and virtual experiences in nursing education. Dr. Bowles is recognized for her extensive work seamless progression pathways and further extended this to LPNs. Her recent initiatives include the development of an LPN to BSN track utilizing Ohio’s Industry Transfer Assurance Guide (ITAG), enabling Licensed Practical Nurses to receive workforce credit for prior experience and education. This LPN to BSN pathway was funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).