From DSO leaders to organization heads, here are five female dental executives to know:
Kristen Cusack. CEO of Phase1 Equity (Chicago): Ms. Cusack was recently appointed to her role, making her one of the first female CEOs of a private equity-backed DSO. She has 15 years of experience working in executive leadership for healthcare organizations such as senior healthcare company Golden Living, emergency medical care group Adeptus Health and home health services organization AccentCare.
Wardah Inam, PhD. Co-founder and CEO of Overjet: Dr. Inam helped launch the dental artificial intelligence company in 2018. In September, she was included on Inc.'s "2022 Female Founders 100 List," which honors women whose innovations and ideas are bettering the world. She was also given the "Excellence in Industry" award from the Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund in recognition of her role in advancing oral health through her company.
Natalia Chalmers, DDS, PhD. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: Dr. Chalmers is CMS' first chief dental officer, playing a critical role in the Biden-Harris administration's commitment to whole body care and reducing healthcare disparities. She is a past dental officer for the FDA and serves as a member of the dean's faculty at the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Dentistry.
Linda Edgar, DDS. President-elect of the American Dental Association: Dr. Edgar was recently named the president-elect of the ADA. She has served in several roles with the ADA, including past trustee of its 11th District, delegate and member of the agency's Council on Dental Practice. Other past leadership positions include president and secretary of the Academy of General Dentistry, president of the Seattle King County Dental Society and fellow of the American College of Dentists.
Aman Kaur, DDS. Founder and President of Women in DSO: Dr.. Kaur established Women in DSO in 2019. The organization aims to advance and promote women in the DSO field. She has extensive experience with DSOs, including serving as CEO of AiM Dental Alliance in Kansas City, Mo. Previously, she was COO of Denver-based DSO Lone Peak Dental Group and Leawood, Kan.-based Samson Dental Partners.