Our Board of Directors
With the support of our Board of Directors and Advisory Council, we are working together as a diverse network of partners and advocates to enhance community health by offering access to quality dental care for all.
Susan Moran, RN, MPH
Chair
Sue joined the board in 2019. She has over thirty years of experience in health policy and program administration in both the public and private sectors. She retired from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in September 2018, where she served as the Director of the Population Health Administration. Sue also was the Director of the Medicaid Program Operations Bureau at the Michigan Department of Community Health. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Public Health.
John E. Barnas
Vice-Chair
John joined the board in 2022. He is currently the executive director at the Michigan Center for Rural Health. Formerly, he was a director for program development at the Family Health Center of Battle Creek. Additionally, John has completed a K-8 Elementary Education Certificate and a Bachelor of Science from Central Michigan University.
Gerald Messana, MPA
Secretary/Treasurer and Community Director
Jerry joined the board in 2017. He is the Administrative Health Officer for the Marquette County Health Department. Jerry holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration-Accounting from Michigan Technological University and a Master’s of Public Administration from Northern Michigan University. He received a Graduate Certificate in Public Health from Michigan State University in May 2017.
Stacey Barbas
Stacey joined the board in 2025 after retiring in 2023 from the Kresge Foundation where she served on the foundation’s health team for 16 years. As a senior program officer Stacey was responsible for managing a 20$ million national grant portfolio that focused on increasing health equity by addressing conditions that lead to poor health outcomes. Stacey’s professional career spanned more than 30 years in nonprofit health and human service fields. She previously served as executive director of the Michigan AIDS fund and worked at United Way for Southeastern Michigan for 16 years managing the Information Services department. She received a Master of Science in Administration and Management from Central Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science from Wayne State University.
Jeremy Andrews, MPA
Jeremy joined the board in 2025. He is the Chief Operating Officer/CFO for the Southeastern Michigan Health Association (SEMHA). Jeremy has devoted his career to supporting public health in the metro Detroit region. He holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from Miami University (Ohio).
William Ridella, MBA
Bill joined the board in 2019. He retired as the Director/Health Officer of the Health Department of Macomb County in December of 2020. For over 30 years, Bill has devoted his career to the service of public health. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Wayne State University, a Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota, in addition to a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition from the University of Michigan.
Jason Jorkasky, MPA
Jason joined the board in early 2019. He is Vice President of Health Finance at Michigan Health & Hospital Association and a demonstrated leader with nearly 20 years of healthcare expertise. Jason has focused on research, program evaluation, data analysis, financial modeling, strategic planning, policy development, and program implementation. His experience spans public programs and commercial insurance.
Kevin Hughes
Kevin joined the board in 2025. Kevin has worked for District Health Department #10 for the past 30 years in the capacity of Health Educator, Health Screening Coordinator, Health Education Manager, Deputy Health Officer and since May, 2015, Health Officer. He served as the agency’s Accreditation Coordinator while it successfully achieved National Public Health Accreditation in 2015. Kevin currently serves on the Northern Michigan Public Health Alliance and the Northern Michigan Community Health Innovation Region. He represents District Health Department #10 as a Board member of the Michigan Association of Local Public Health.
Gordon Bloem
Gordon joined the board in 2024. Before retirement he was a private practitioner specializing in criminal defense, municipal law, and family law since 1991. His prior roles include Managing Attorney at the Legal Aid of Western Michigan and staff attorney at Legal Services of Eastern Michigan. He holds a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School and a B.S. in History and Political Science from Central Michigan University. Gordon has published notable cases such as McKinstry v Genesee County Circuit Judges and Mead v Batchlor. He also taught at Central Michigan University.
Melanie Brim
Melanie joined the board in 2024. She is the Principal of Melanie Brim Consulting LLC, where she has been since 2023. She contracts with organizations to provide project support services, including project design, grant writing, grant management, topical research, environmental analysis, and program evaluation. Previously, she served as the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Health Council from 2014 to 2023. Melanie also held senior leadership roles at the Michigan Department of Community Health. She holds a Master of Health Administration and a BS in Medical Record Administration from Indiana University.
Kelly Brittain, PhD, RN
Kelly joined the board in 2024. She is the Vice President of Impact at the Children’s Foundation. Her professional experience includes serving as a Senior Program Officer at the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation and as an Associate Professor at the Michigan State University College of Nursing. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing from Wayne State University, and a Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
Advisory Council and Health Department Partners
Our nonprofit dental centers partner with local health departments to offer the best in patient-centered, full-service care – from regular checkups and cleanings to ongoing treatments. These valued partnerships allow MCDC to serve over 90,000 patients at 28 dental centers throughout Michigan annually.
Jacqueline Billette
Allegan County
Health Department
Colette Scrimger
Barry-Eaton District
Health Department
Joel Strasz
Bay County Health Department
Guy Miller
Berrien County Health Department
Rebecca Burns
Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency
Eric Pessell
Calhoun County Public
Health Department
Steve Hall
Central Michigan District
Health Department
Denise Fair
City of Detroit Health Department
Mike Snyder
Delta and Menominee County
Public Health Department
Kevin Hughes
District Health Department #10
Michelle Estelle
Genesee County Health Department
Chad Shaw
Ionia County Health Department
Adam London
Kent County Health Department
Matt Bolang
Livingston County Health Department
Nick Derusha
Luce-Mackinac-Alger-Schoolcraft District Health Department
Jerry Messana
Marquette County Health Department
Liz Braddock
Mid-Michigan District Health Department
Jamie Dean
Monroe County Health Department
Adeline Hambley
Ottawa County Health Department
Christina Harrington
Saginaw County Health Department
Bryant Wilke
Sanilac County Health Department
Elizabeth King
St. Clair County Health Department
Jimena Loveluck
Washtenaw County Public Health Department
