Three New Staff for United We Smile

United Way of Northwest Michigan (UWNWMI) is pleased to announce three new staff members for their new health initiative, United We Smile (UWS). Jay Rangel, RDA, Clinic Manager; Danielle Oswalt, CHW, Community Health Worker; and Ashley Johnston, Office Manager, bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the clinic, further enhancing United We Smile’s mission to promote healthy smiles and happy lives.

With their extensive backgrounds and dedication to patient care, Jay, Danielle, and Ashley embody the core values of United We Smile. Their passion for oral health and commitment to making a positive impact on the community make them ideal additions to the clinic.

Jay Rangel, RDA, joins United We Smile as Clinic Manager. With over a decade of experience in the dental field, Jay’s expertise in managing patient care will ensure that UWS will deliver exceptional service to every individual who walks through the door. “Working with United Way motivates me knowing that every day I have an opportunity to improve our patients’ ideas of what quality dental care can truly be,” shared Jay. “I look forward to joining United We Smile and the mission of serving selflessly and leading the community by example.”

Danielle Oswalt, CHW, joins as Community Health Worker at United We Smile. Danielle’s background in public health and her passion for community outreach make her an invaluable asset to the clinic. She will be instrumental in bridging the gap to needed resources. “I will be connecting the people in our community with the health and social services they may need. I have experienced difficult life situations and I did not know where to turn to for help,” said Danielle. “That is what has made me very passionate about this opportunity. I will be hands-on helping the community build self-sufficiency through social support, advocacy, community education and more.”

Ashley Johnston, Office Manager, brings her exceptional organizational skills and extensive administrative experience to United We Smile. Ashley has a background in working with young adults with cognitive disabilities in the medical field as well. “I have a passion and drive to make a major impact in the world, and I am looking forward to being a part of the positive footprint United We Smile will have on our community,” said Ashley. “United We Smile is the perfect place to continue my journey of helping others.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Jay, Danielle, and Ashley to our United We Smile family,” shared Jennifer Kerns, Director of Health Initiatives for United Way of Northwest Michigan. “Their diverse skills and commitment to our mission will strengthen our ability to provide outstanding dental care and make a positive impact in our community.”

United We Smile, set to open its doors in Traverse City this fall, aims to redefine the dental experience by combining cutting-edge technology with compassionate dental care for those underserved in our community – children, pregnant women, veterans, and those with developmental and cognitive disabilities. For more information about United We Smile, Jennifer Kerns can be reached at jen@unitedwaynwmi.org.

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United We Smile (UWS) is a health program with United Way of Northwest Michigan. UWS will provide specialized health programming with a focus on dental care for children, pregnant women, veterans, and those with developmental and cognitive disabilities. The dental clinic will be located at 4075 Copper Ridge Drive in Traverse City, Michigan. United We Smile connects and mobilizes the caring power of our local community to advance the common good through health initiatives.