Our Board of Directors
With the support of our Board of Directors and Advisory Board, 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.
Steven Hall, MS
Chair and Community Director
Steve joined the board in 2016. He is currently the Health Officer for the Central Michigan District Health Department. Previous to this, he served as the Interim Health Officer and Environmental Health Director for the Jackson County District Health Department. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University and his master’s degree from Independence University, California College of Health Sciences. He resides in the central Michigan area with his wife and two daughters.
Phyllis Meadows, PhD, MSN, RN
Vice-Chair
Phyllis joined the board in 2016. She is the Senior Fellow and Advisor for The Kresge Foundation’s Health Team. Her professional experience includes serving as the Associate Dean for Public Health Practice and Clinical Professor—Health Management and Policy for the University of Michigan School of Public Health. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science degree in nursing and a PhD in sociology from Wayne State 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.
John E. Barnas
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.
Ronald G. Khoury
Ron joined the board in 2016. He has extensive experience in the areas of legislative and political/fundraising strategy. Ron also spent several years as the Director of Marketing & New Business with a Michigan-based, nationally recognized real estate operating company before going back to Lansing where he joined a multi-client lobbying firm. Today, he is owner of the lobbying and public affairs firm Khoury Johnson Leavitt.
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.
Susan Moran, RN, MPH
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.
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 34 dental centers throughout Michigan annually.
Randy Rapp
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, MM
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
