As Executive Director at More Smiles Wisconsin Stacy Nehmer oversees Staff, finances, grant writing, and participates in multiple committees. Stacy graduated from Ashford University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Stacy has worked with nonprofits for 10 years. Prior to MSW she came from Beaver Dam where she launched a dental program there. Stacy has been with MSW since 2017.

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Stacy is inspired by people who know what their calling in life is and pursue it. The positive outlook some people have no matter what life throws at them is something Stacy believes we all should learn from.

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Stacy’s passions include problem solving, learning new things, and working to provide equality in access to care for all across all fields; medical, dental, and mental health. She enjoys being and feeling part of a team and working towards common goals.

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“I had experienced access to care issues myself in my younger years. I am aware of the related health problems that come from going without care, the emotional issues people face when they lack access to care, the feeling of not being good enough. I have lived it, I understand it. I also know that there are far too many others lacking access to care today which fuels my passion for the work our staff, volunteers, and board put into ensuring dental care for all.”

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EMAIL: stacy@moresmileswi.org

Chelsey Palmer works with fulfilling More Smiles Wisconsin’s Medicaid billing, supply orders, care coordination, and overall, a little bit of everything. Chelsey arrived at MSW in 2020 when a volunteer dentist connected her with More Smiles. She had worked in dental for five years prior to starting at MSW and had just moved back to the Madison area from Wausau. The volunteer knew her background in dental and Public Health Education so he thought it would be a good fit for her and he was right! She loved it from the start! In her spare time Chelsey enjoys camping, thrifting, crafting, playing with her dog, and quilting.

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“I have worked in dental for a bit of time now and the connections you make with people, along with the positive impact you make on peoples’ lives is always the most rewarding part of being in this field. Hearing how people felt more confident in their job interviews, how they have always been afraid of the dentist and now they are not, or how they can finally go about their day because they aren't in pain is the reason a place like MSW is so important.”

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EMAIL: chelsey2@moresmileswi.org

Hannah helps people achieve healthy oral hygiene in whatever capacity they individually require. She assesses the health of their gums, bones, and determines what level of cleaning is most appropriate for them. She also offers tips and education on their daily routine that directly impacts the health of their mouth and entire body. Hannah’s  main goal is to form trusting relationships with people so they feel that going to the dentist isn’t scary or embarrassing but rather that they feel comfortable and want to come back to More Smiles Wisconsin.

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Hannah grew up in a small rural town in Wisconsin. While growing up Hannah spent a lot of time outdoors and still loves to be outside. She also loves to ride her horse, read, cook, and live music. Hannah is passionate about her career, connecting with  people on a genuine level, equality, help and aid for people struggling with addictions and mental health concerns, and her own journey of growth and healthy living. 

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“I want people to know they, as individuals, matter. Their story matters. They deserve dental care regardless of income, home life, or the choices they have made in their past. I have a family that I love very much who I have watched struggle with addiction, homelessness, health crisis, incarceration, and mental illness. What many people don’t see when they hear those descriptions is the childhood trauma, self hate, blame, and despair that people who fall under those descriptions feel.  As a society we are quick to label and leave. None of us are just one thing, we are complex and there are so many moving parts to each of our stories. A big part of my story has been getting my degree in dental hygiene. I know my career saved me from a life of addiction and the struggles that come with that. I am forever grateful to the people who supported me in my schooling, especially my parents.”

Emma Claussen has been a practicing RDH since 2018 and joined the team at More Smiles in 2020.  

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Emma was first introduced to More Smiles Wisconsin as a student volunteer. She was a young single mom, and both her son and herself were on state assistance and state insurance programs.  It was easy to find a dental home for her son but not as easy for herself.  When Emma graduated, one of her career goals was to aid in the accessibility of dental care for adults. 

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Emma’s role at More Smiles WI is so important to her because a lot of her patients have not had their teeth cleaned in many years and many drive a long ways for their dental visits.  Emma always tries to connects with her patients on a personal level, answering all their questions and giving them easy tips on day-to-day home hygiene.  They will probably meet her once, but when they’re brushing their teeth at night, she hopes, they will not forget their gum line. 

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When she does have spare time you can find her biking though the Madison parks, camping somewhere up north, or simply napping with her dog on the couch.  She has the sweetest son, Leo, who, although growing up in her dental chair, assures her he does not want to clean teeth when he grows up.  Emma loves Madison, and feels so lucky to be able to serve the community that supported her.

Emma, as Patient Care Coordinator, is MSW’s front line and first point of contact for the clinic’s patients, both new and existing. Emma also supervises MSW’s administrative volunteers and is responsible for the collection and management of much of the data the clinic utilizes to aid in securing grants and donations. 

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Emma grew up in a small town close to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin before moving to the Sun Prairie area in 2021. She graduated from Moraine Park Technical College with a degree in Business Management. Emma has an older brother and a younger sister and is an animal lover by nature. She enjoys play and nap time with her own pets, Buster the dog and her cats Luna and Georgie. Emma also enjoys being outside, whether it be to hike, hunt, or just relax, as well as watching movies, listening to music, and trying out new restaurants. 

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“Throughout high school I had a difficult time trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. Being in a dental clinic atmosphere feels very natural to me and something that I always saw myself doing. I knew I wanted to help others and make a difference in their lives. MSW has given me the perfect opportunity to do so.” 

Amy found a passion for dentistry a little later in life. After changing careers and working in private practice dentistry, Amy decided to pursue dental school. While getting her pre-dental degree at UW-Madison, Amy began volunteering at MSW. She immediately fell in love with non-profit dentistry, the patients, and the entire staff at More Smiles, so she now works as a dental assistant at MSW. Amy has also helped establish the Hometown Smiles Initiative, which offers free dental care to underserved K-12 students within their respective school districts. After seeing the needs of Wisconsin’s underserved communities firsthand, Amy’s goal is to return to non-profit as a dentist once she has completed dental school, so she can continue to help both children and adults through education and treatment.

 

Amy likes to spend her free time with her husband and three dogs. They all enjoy hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, and just being generally active. Amy and her Chihuahua, Bentley, are also a volunteer registered therapy dog team. Amy also enjoys horseback riding and hopes to get another horse again soon.

Amanda is More Smiles Wisconsin’s first mental health therapist, providing individual counseling to eligible MSW patients and those in need throughout the community. 

 

Amanda’s approach to therapy centers the therapeutic alliance and each person being an expert in their own life. Amanda’s goal is to make each person who sits on her couch feel profoundly seen and heard. 

 

With therapy at More Smiles WI, Amanda will partner with you to challenge and work through the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that are holding you back. We'll identify patterns that aren’t helpful, and build a toolbox of effective coping skills to get you where you want to be.

 

As an licensed Advanced Practice Social Worker Amanda utilizes a humanistic approach, a developmental and relational trauma lens, ACT and CBT techniques, and principles of attachment theory in her work with patients. 

 

Amanda moonlights in St. Mary’ Emergency Department, meeting people where they’re at, in their darkest moments of mental health crisis. Outside of work, Amanda spends time with her cats Goblin and Geode, doing pottery, reading, watching TV, and (when it’s cold enough) snowboarding. 

Adam is the Project Manager at More Smiles WI, where he focuses on implementing HTS programming and toolkits to enhance community well-being and create positive experiences. With a strong commitment to making a difference, he ensures that each project aligns with the organization’s mission of fostering smiles and building a supportive community. Recently joining the team through a grant, Adam is eager to leverage his experience to drive meaningful change.

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Originally from a small Wisconsin town of just 1,200 residents, Adam moved to Madison after studying in La Crosse. Outside of work, he leads an active lifestyle, participating in sand volleyball tournaments and, more recently, playing pickleball. He also enjoys camping and traveling, taking every opportunity to connect with friends and family along the way.