The Week That Was: May 17-21

A Sad Week

Solidarity among the MDA staff is a secret sauce to a lot of achievements around here. It’s also on full display when tragedy strikes. Late last week, MDA Membership Manager and long-time employee, Stacey Hemmel, lost her nephew, Cooper Smith, in a car accident just a week before his high school graduation. Cooper was born with heart defects and was an overcomer his whole life and somewhat of a local hero. His obituary can be found here. Stacey is very close to her sister, Laura, and Cooper (and Claire, his big sister). Vicki, Margie and others here at the MDA also know the family well. It was sudden and tragic news to digest. The team is rallying around Stacey and better days will come again, but not everything we get to report here is happy news.

Joplin – A  10 Year Anniversary

Hard to believe that Saturday marks the 10th anniversary of the Joplin Tornado when 166 people died and a town was all but destroyed. This included more than 25 dental offices wiped out or greatly damaged. The recovery story of this town and the dental community is inspiring and one we have covered time and again. It’s only fitting that we pause to remember those lost and to salute our tenacious SW colleagues one more time. The recent SWDS meeting revealed a solid economy and lots of new dentists involved. A good reminder that you can be down but never out.

Joplin – A New Beginning 

No doubt that the KCU’s College of Dental Medicine understands the significance of Saturday’s date. They will have their groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday afternoon for their new campus set to open in Fall 2023. Several MDA members plan to attend the festivities. Congrats to Dean, Dr. Linda Niessen, and her growing team. We will track developments here as the next two years are sure to fly by.

The Week Ahead

Life rolls on as we head toward Memorial Day. We are one month out from Connect4Success and work is heating up like the weather.

Quote of the Week

“Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.” — Shakespeare, Hamlet