I am passionate about trying to help people improve their quality of life through the services I offer.
I genuinely enjoy listening to people and helping them solve problems to better their health. I strive to get to know my patients and establish a rapport before starting work. Learning their concerns is the first step, and that begins with talking with them on a respectful basis. I enjoy discovering an individual’s goals, wants, and needs, developing a comprehensive treatment plan for them, and seeing it through to completion.
Everyone should be empowered to understand all their issues before making treatment decisions that may affect them on many levels: function, medical, aesthetic, financial, social, and psychological. A person must understand the implications of their decisions, and I enjoy watching individuals gain an accurate comprehension of their issues: we move from a doctor-patient relationship to being co-members on a team, striving for the same goal.
Being an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is my life. It is not a job; it is a lifestyle, and as such goes with me everywhere. My work affords me an avenue to try to improve others’ lives in my own way and, in so doing, to improve my community. From my staff to my patients, I give much but I also know I receive more.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Biology – Adelphi University, Garden City, New York, 1987
- Doctor of Dental Medicine, summa cum laude – University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, 1990
- Doctorate in Medicine (MD) – Harvard Medical School, Boston, 1993
- Training certificate in oral and maxillofacial surgery – Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, 1996
- American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons and American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery certified fellowship – Institute of Facial and Cosmetic Surgery, Salt Lake City, 1997
- Locum Tenens in oral and maxillofacial surgery – Glan Clwydd Hospital, Rhyl, Wales, UK, 1997
After completing dental school, I was accepted into the oral and maxillofacial surgery training program at the Massachusetts General Hospital: the birthplace of modern surgery training, as well as surgical and dental general anesthesia.
This is an intense six-year program that included graduation from Harvard Medical School in 1993 and completion of two years of general surgery training. This was followed by six months of anesthesia training and craniofacial surgery training at Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Shriner’s Hospital for Children.
I completed the program in 1996 and was accepted for further clinical fellowship training at the Institute of Facial and Cosmetic Surgery in Salt Lake City. There, I was trained by aesthetically minded plastic, facial plastic, facial cosmetic, and laser dermatologic surgeons.
My training concluded at the Glen Clwydd Hospital in Wales in 1997 before I entered into private practice later that year.
Continuing Education
The world and technology are constantly changing, and it is imperative to stay abreast of those developments. At Central Wisconsin Oral and Facial Surgery, we are acutely aware of this and feel our ongoing pursuit of continuing education is a cornerstone of our ability to deliver world-class care with a local touch.
I am a founder and co-leader of the Spear Education, Central Wisconsin Study Club. I also complete various continuing medical and dental education courses locally, regionally, and nationally to stay current on the latest research and advancements.
Professional Memberships
- American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, fellow
- American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, board-certified and Diplomate
- Wisconsin Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
Beyond the Practice
I grew up in Plain Grove, Pennsylvania, on a dirt road in the middle of a cornfield, and have lived in many locations over my many years of experience but have been in Wausau since 2005.
My wife Celine and I have been married for more than 32 years. We have 3 children, Nicholas, a recent graduate from American University in Washington DC, from the School of Foreign Service; Shaye, who attends George Washington University in Washington DC and is majoring in Writing and Collaborative Arts; Holley, who is currently a senior in high school who will be attending college come fall of 2023.
I enjoy traveling the world. I believe exploration is the best educator and have gone on many family trips over the years. I also enjoy hiking our nation's National Parks, scuba diving, skiing, and playing video games with my daughter.