SOD Class Notes

Highlighting news and events in the lives of SOD alumni

Class of '79

After 35 years of practicing dentistry in Pascagoula, Julius A. “Jay” Willis, D.M.D., sold his practice and retired. For the last few years, he has been doing dental practice transition consulting through his new company, Willis and Associates, L.L.C. The company facilitates all types of dental practice transitions in Mississippi, including appraisals, sales, purchases, mergers, partnerships and associateships on a flat-fee basis. To find out more about his company, visit www.drjaywillis.com. One of the big joys of Dr. Willis’ retired life is spoiling his four grandsons.

Class of '82

Four members of the UMMC School of Dentistry Class of 1982, including Helen Lee Campassi, D.M.D. (front row, right), Robin Campassi, D.M.D. (back row, right), David Gilmore, D.M.D. (back row,  second from right), and Wade Hankins, D.M.D. (Back row, second from left), recently went on a continuing education cruise on the Rhine River. They were joined by Mary Gilmore (front row, left) and Claudia Hankins (back row, left).

Class of '83

Phillip Patridge, D.M.D., is about to retire from active duty service in the U.S. Army. He will have had 31 years, nine months and 11 days of service on April 1, 2015. He will live near Savannah, Georgia. While on active duty, Patridge completed a one-year AEGD and a two-year GPR. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of General Dentistry. He and his wife, Ellen, a dental hygienist, have been married for 43 years and the couple has four children and four grandchildren. Patridge is a big fan of the University of Alabama.

Albert Singletary, D.M.D., (pictured) welcomed his first grandchild, Emma Grace Fortenberry, born June 16.

Edward S. Wheeler, D.M.D., has played an instrumental role in the annual Thumbs Up for Bill 5k Run in Gulfport, named in honor of Dr. Bill Gasparrini, a local psychologist and beloved member of the local running and cycling community in south Mississippi who fought a courageous battle against cancer. The fourth TUFB 5K event took place Nov. 22 with several members of the 5th district dental community in attendance. The 5K generated approximately $5,000 in funds for the Memorial Hospital at Gulfport Oncology Special Needs Fund, which helps cancer patients with out-of-pocket costs beyond their medical treatment, such as food, transportation and medicine. For more information about the Thumbs Up for Bill Run or the Memorial Hospital Foundation, call Dave Estorage or Dana Lamey at (228) 865-3048.

Class of '84

Barbara B. Mauldin, D.M.D., pictured with her husband, Dick, received third place for ballroom dancing in the 2013 Dancer’s Cup Tour in Nashville, Tennessee, in January. The award is based on accumulated points at various ballroom dancing competitions throughout the year. Mauldin competed against more than 500 dancers in her age and ability levels. Mauldin also served as 2013-14 Rotary District Governor for District 6840, which includes Southeast Louisiana and South Mississippi. Mauldin practices dentistry in Petal.

Class of '84

Gary W. Reeves, D.M.D., is dean of the School of Dentistry at UMMC. He has two new grand-daughters who just celebrated their first birthday on Nov. 13.

Class of '85

Ronnie Cummins, D.M.D., is married to Iris Cummins and the couple has two children, Cynthia and Rebekah. Dr. Cummins has a solo practice in Corinth. He received an Academy of General Dentistry fellowship in 2001 and an Academy of General Dentistry mastership in 2010. His hobbies include the outdoors at his Kosciusko farm, woodworking, beekeeping and foreign missions.

Class of '86

Charles C. Cooper, D.M.D., recently received accreditation status with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). A partner with Dr. Debra Gray King at the Atlanta Center for Cosmetic Dentistry, Cooper has been married to Elizabeth Horne Cooper for 28 years. The couple has two sons: Chandler, 18, a freshman at Mississippi State University, and Lawson, a junior at St. Pius High School.

Class of '87

After completing a general practice residency at the University of Florida, Tara T. Hackney, D.M.D., has worked as a public health dentist in Florida for the last 25 years. She was recently named one of 66 Florida Public Health Heroes for her work with programs that expanded dental care for children in her county. She is a member of a team of community dentists that obtained funding and built an all-volunteer clinic in St. Augustine and she also regularly volunteers there, donating more than 160 hours to treat uninsured adults. She and her husband, Mike, recently celebrated their 26th anniversary. Their two children, Noah and Rachel, attend the University of Florida, but are also Mississippi State Bulldog fans, having attended MSU football games and watched them on TV through the years.

Raanne Ray Tindle, D.M.D., is looking forward to the graduation of her daughter, Trevor Tindle, from the UMMC School of Dentistry in May 2015. 

Class of '88

Noel K. “Trey” Toler III, D.M.D., is still practicing in the same location since graduation: 104 Lakeland Plaza Building, 2600 River Ridge Road, Jackson.

Class of '89

Roddy Scarbrough, D.M.D., has devoted his life to organized dentistry, calling it “my wife, love and children.” He serves on the MSBDE, the MDA as a delegate to the ADA, the NERB and as a STRA examiner for dental boards around the country. He continues his private practice in Richton and is a life member of the USM and UM alumni associations. He is a continual supporter of the School of Dentistry.

Class of '93

Jimmy Hollingsworth, D.M.D., has a practice in Newton and currently serves as president-elect of the Mississippi Dental Association. Chairman of the Board of Trustees of East Central Community College, he is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council at Mississippi State University, Meridian. He and his wife, Sharon, have a daughter, Abby, who is a freshman at MSU.

Class of '96

Christopher H. Henry, D.M.D., is an orthodontist and pediatric dentist who practices in his own orthodontic office. One day a week, he works in a pediatric dental office. He had been in Alaska since 2003 and enjoys hunting, fishing, flying and running. He has recently served as Alaska’s dental state president and continues to be involved on a task force.

Class of '06

Nathan A Burns, D.M.D., received his pediatric certificate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2005. After finishing his residency, he has practiced pediatric dentistry in Nashville, Tennessee, for the last nine years. In June 2014, he and his wife, Vanessa, moved to New Orleans to be closer to family. Dr. Burns purchased an existing pediatric dental practice in Metairie, Louisiana, and is thrilled to be in New Orleans. He looks forward to starting a family there.  To view more information about his practice, visit www.greatbigsmiles.com.

Class of '04

Jennifer House, D.M.D., completed a pediatric residency at Boston University in 2006 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, that year. A founding partner in Cumberland Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, she and her partners currently have five offices in middle Tennessee with plans to open two more in 2015.

Class of '06

Trey Sutton, D.M.D., and his partner, Dr. Clyde Spraberry Jr., have changed the name of their practice to Gulf Coast Dental Care. They hosted an open house to showcase their newly renovated office and the new products they offer to patients on Sept. 26. They are pleased to have added their newest associate to the practice, Dr. J. Patton Webb Jr., an Ole Miss graduate.

Class of '08

Wendy Hawkins Lewis, D.M.D., and her husband, Jay, welcomed their second child, Landers Jane Lewis, born on June 23, 2014. Big sister Lida Hawkins is pleased with the addition.

Class of '13

Zach Crawford, D.M.D., is now practicing at Oak Grove Family Dentistry in Hattiesburg.