Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation Announces Four New Board Members
Posted on September 16, 2022 in Foundation
Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation announces four new board members who will help guide the organization’s mission to strengthen and transform the health and smiles of all Iowans. The combined giving of Delta Dental of Iowa and its Foundation in 2021 was $3.3 million for 264 projects, which targeted oral and overall health projects addressing health equity and access to care.
“The perspective offered by these four healthcare professionals will be invaluable as they join our existing board members and Foundation team to continue to fulfill our mission,” said Suzanne Heckenlaible, executive director of the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation. “We appreciate their commitment to the Foundation’s strategic areas of focus and look forward to their contributions informed by their areas of specialization.”
New to the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation board of directors is:
Dr. Hayley Harvey - dental clinic section chief and director of dental education for Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Harvey graduated from the University of Iowa in 1994 with a Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree and in 1996 with a Master of Science degree. As section chief and director of dental education at Broadlawns Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, Dr. Harvey has been a champion for increasing access to dental care and improving the oral health of underserved populations. She is a veteran of the Army National Guard and previously served as the public health dental director for the Iowa Department of Public Health. Dr. Harvey is an active member of several nonprofit community organizations and in 2019, she was awarded the University of Iowa Dental Alumni Service Recognition of the Year honor, in 2020, the University of Iowa Distinguished Alumni Service, and as a Business Record 2022 Women of Influence Honoree.
Dr. Nathan Hehr - president of Nettleton Dental Group in Mason City, Iowa. Dr. Hehr joined Nettleton Dental Group in 1993 and is the restorative team leader for the Iowa Mission of Mercy. He also served as president of the Iowa Dental Association from 2020-2021. He has been integral in the formation of a volunteer core of dentists in the North Central District Dental Association for its free clinic and in setting up a program with North Iowa Community Action and I-Smile™ to help children who are uninsured receive access to dental care. Dr. Hehr graduated from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. An active community volunteer, Dr. Hehr is a past recipient of the Outstanding New Dentist award from the Iowa Dental Association.
Dr. Mike Metts – pediatrician with Mercy One in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. Dr. Metts completed his residency in pediatrics at the University of Missouri-Columbia and graduated with his medical degree from Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Metts has served as the founding member and medical director of the Pediatric Hospitalist Program at MercyOne Children’s hospital. He served as the Chairman of the Department of Pediatric Medicine and Specialty Medicine from 2002-2015 at Des Moines University. Dr. Metts is the Iowa American Academy of Pediatrics Oral Health Advocate and the Iowa State Champion for the 100 Million Mouths Campaign working to increase oral health care knowledge and training for healthcare students and providers. He has partnered with the MercyOne Quality Committee and the American Cancer Society to deliver a curriculum to other medical providers on increasing vaccination rates against HPV related cancers. Dr. Metts is active in the community as a member of Cavity Free Iowa, focused on improving the oral health of children 0-36 months of age in Iowa, providing fluoride varnish training to primary care providers, and developing relationships to improve medical-dental integration.
Joining the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation as an advisory board director is:
Dr. Heidi Bell, board certified fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD) and co-owner at Elite Eye Care and Vision Therapy in Waukee, Iowa. Dr. Bell graduated from Iowa State University with honors and completed her Doctor of Optometry, graduating Cum Laude with Clinical Honors, from Southern College of Optometry in Memphis, TN, followed by a Residency in Primary Care Optometry, primarily serving underserved populations in various public health settings. She achieved her Fellowship in the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO) after fulfilling the rigorous qualifications set by the American Academy of Optometry. Dr. Bell then pursued the designation of Board Certified Fellow of the College of Optometrists in Vision Development (COVD). This designation signifies Dr. Bell’s expertise in the areas of visual development, behavioral optometry, and neuro-optometric rehabilitation. Elite Vision Therapy provides non-invasive therapeutic services for patients with binocular vision dysfunction, amblyopia, strabismus, and traumatic brain injuries (TBI). She advocates for pediatric eye care by participating as an InfantSEE provider, offering comprehensive eye exams at no cost for patients before their first birthday.
Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation invests in activities that promote health and smiles for all Iowans through its core initiatives, oral health, oral and overall health integration, and overall health through an equity lens. For more information, visit deltadentalia.com/foundation