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

Dr. Jeff Cooper provides basic dental care to those who are unable to afford or access care in the fee-for-service system. 

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Dr. Cooper graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1985. He spent six years in the United States Indian Health Service, caring for people on the Navajo and Pueblo reservations. In 1992 he moved to Winona, Minnesota where he joined a small group practice. He practiced there for 24 years, becoming a partner, and eventually CEO. In 2016 he and his wife moved to Madison to be closer to family. After four years working part-time as a contract dentist in private practice, Dr. Cooper joined More Smiles Wisconsin.

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When Dr. Cooper was able to semi-retire, he was delighted to be able to return to his roots in public health dentistry. More Smiles gives him the opportunity to use his skills and experience to help those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to access care.

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Dr. Cooper likes biking, hiking, and skiing in his spare time. He enjoys traveling and adventurous eating. He also likes watching live sports, especially the Forward Madison soccer team. He is inspired by people that have overcome adversity to succeed in their lives, and who work to make life better for those less fortunate. He is passionate about social justice and leaving the world a better place for those who will live in the future.

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“I do this work because I have been very fortunate in my life, and I think that people who have been lucky have an obligation to help those who have not been as fortunate. Too many people think that everything they have is only because of their effort: They forget the teachers, coaches, clergy, friends, and mentors that have helped them along the way. Many also forget that success also contains an element of luck; just being at the right place at the right time. Many people do not have the advantage of having good people to mentor them, or circumstances that permit them to be in the right place at the right time. For many people, financial success is extremely unlikely just because of the circumstances of their birth. Those people should have their basic health needs taken care of just like everyone else. That is what I do.”

Dr. Kevin Greene is a part-time general dentist who specializes in fillings, crowns, extractions. Born and raised on the east side of Madison, Dr. Greene wanted to be a dentist after shadowing at a local practice in high school. Being able to work with his own hands and to restore the smiles of patients was all he ever wanted.

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Dr. Greene came to More Smiles Wisconsin after he started volunteering after dental school and fell in love with the mission, the staff, and the patients. In his spare time Dr. Greene likes to workout, work on cars, play the drums, and beat his friends in any video game. He is inspired by his family, and is proud to be the first college graduate in his family. He is inspired by giving patients their smile back, pushing himself in the gym, and learning new skills.

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“It’s great to help people that have nowhere else to go. I truly enjoy getting patients out of pain. If I have the ability to help people/ patients then I know I should and I want to. We have a very specialized skill and I enjoy using that to give back and help others in need.”

As a Dental Assistant Rochelle helps guide our patients through their appointments and answer questions they have. Rochelle grew up in a low-income family in Sauk Prairie, WI so she knows the struggle in finding quality dental care. She wants to help people in any way she can in order for them to get the dental care they need. Before coming to More Smiles Wisconsin Rochelle worked in a dental clinic as a dental assistant.

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In her spare time she likes to spend her time outdoors; hiking, fishing and spending time with friends and family. Rochelle also likes to sing and is constantly doing so.

As a dental assistant, Taylor helps patients feel comfortable from start to finish during their appointments, as well as behind the scenes duties in the clinic. Taylor grew up in the small northern Wisconsin town of Tomahawk, where she’s dreamed of being a dentist since she was eight years old. Her family dental office always treated her as family and she wanted to have a career where she could serve others and make a difference in people’s lives, just as her dentist office had with her.

Taylor found More Smiles Wisconsin through her campus dental clubs while completing her Bachelor’s degree at UW Madison with the hope of gaining experience as a volunteer before applying to dental school. After graduating from UW Madison and making the decision of taking a gap year before dental school, she was offered a full time job as a dental assistant at More Smiles and jumped at the great opportunity to further her knowledge and clinical skills. In her spare time Taylor is an avid sports fan, traveler, music fan and loves the outdoors. If she’s not somewhere in nature you can most likely find her at Miller Park watching the Brewers with her family or at a concert venue watching her favorite musician perform.

 

“I love being able to see a side of dentistry that many people don’t get. I grew up fortunate enough to go to the dentist every six months and the staff at my family dentist office were the reason I fell in love with dentistry in the first place. Personal relationships dictate a lot of situations and feeling welcomed and comforted by my dentist helped me associate a good relationship with the dental field. More Smiles has more than prepared me to succeed in dental school and has given me a true appreciation for providing care to underserved communities. I aspire to continue helping those in need throughout dental school and my entire career as a dentist.”

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.”