THE MCGUIRE INSTITUTE - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Member of TDHA

Angie Krech, RDH, BA, AAS is a native of middle Tennessee, where she has been practicing as a licensed registered dental hygienist since 2008. Angie graduated from Chattanooga State Community College in Chattanooga TN, with a degree in dental hygiene. She received a bachelor's degree in management and human relations while attending Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN. Angie spent thirteen years practicing as a registered dental hygienist in a private practice setting. During that time, she cared for her patients with compassion, empathy, and understanding, while guiding them through clinical care options. Angie's passion for the underserved within her community and rural areas around her, sparked her desire to secure a position within public health where she felt her services would be better utilized to help impact the oral health of the communities that may not otherwise have access to dental services. Angie is currently an active member of TDHA and an emergency/disaster volunteer for the State of Tennessee. She is also a past member of SADHA and ADHA. Angie participates in the Middle Tennessee Dental Hygiene Study Club where she continues her education in the most current and innovative dental recommendations and treatments with a concentration of dental implants. Angie also takes pride in volunteering in community health events providing free dental services, such as Hope Smiles, Convoy of Hope, Tullahoma Cares, and numerous other free community health events.

Autumn began her career in clinical trials working for a local Oncology CRO and then went on to work as a Project Coordinator for a large global CRO based in Nashville. After getting married, she took some time off to be a stay at home mom until her children reached school age and has now stepped back into the clinical trial arena with iMc assisting in the management of our Implant Registry and coordinating multiple study and non-study related projects.

Job Titles:

• Clinical Research Associate II

Averie Garcia grew up in Houston, TX where she began as a study assistant at Perio Health Professionals and now works as a Clinical Research Associate II at iMc-The McGuire Institute. She continues to work on obtaining her Bachelor of Science in Anthropology at the University of Houston. Averie is a highly driven clinical research professional with a background in private practice based dental research. She has a passion for staying committed to ensuring the rights, safety and well-being of research participants are protected.

Job Titles:

• Accounts Specialist
• Executive Director of the Texas Society of Periodontists

Cindy has extensive experience in financial organization, bookkeeping and human resource management from 1976 to present. Graduating from The University of Texas Dental Branch with her RDA, she has been in the dental field for over 45 years. Forty-one years were with Dr. McGuire and Perio Health Professionals as their business manager and has been involved with The McGuire Institute since its inception. Her experience also includes involvement with research administration with Perio Health Professionals. Cindy is currently Executive Director of The Texas Society of Periodontists and continues to oversee finances for multiple dental practices.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Honorary Board

Mr. Eklund is deeply interested in science and business innovation and passionate about converting that knowledge for the benefit of patients. He has a strong track record in a variety of settings; both the US and European markets - private and public - and in small biotechs as well as large multinationals. Until 2019, Mr. Eklund served as Chief Commercial Officer of Swiss listed Vifor Pharma (now CSL Vifor). Vifor is a specialty pharma company and the global leader in Iron Deficiency, Nephrology and Cardiorenal therapies. In this role, he oversaw the rapidly growing global business operations with wholly owned subsidiaries in 30+ markets. The role also entailed leading numerous partnerships, including those with Takeda, UCB, Merck KGaA, Novartis/Sandoz and Daiichi Sankyo in the Pharmerging markets and the US, China and Japan. During his tenure at Vifor, Mr. Eklund was also a Member of the Board of Directors for Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma (a joint company with Fresenius Medical Care). Between 2005-2014, he was member of the executive team at Organogenesis Inc, a Boston-based global leader in regenerative medicine/cell therapy and the world's second oldest independent biotech company. During his decade with Organogenesis, the company experienced compounded annual growth of 25%. At Organogenesis, Mr. Eklund built and led a team that gained FDA Panel approval (BLA) for GINTUIT(TM), the first ever manufactured allogeneic cell therapy to be approved by the Biologics Division of the FDA (CBER) in 2013. This approval was later awarded nomination "Best Biotech Product 2013" by Prix Galien. Prior to his move to the US in 2004, from 2002 to 2004, he was the General Manager for Sanofi (Aventis) in Switzerland. Through a strong focus on vision, strategy, culture and execution, his team turned around the company's Swiss business, making it the fastest growing Top 10 pharmaceutical company in that market. Prior to joining Sanofi (Aventis), from 1994 to 2002, Mr. Eklund spent nearly a decade at Novartis in various local, regional and global roles. He hold a B.Sc (Business Administration) and a M.Sc. (Economics) from the Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration in Helsinki, Finland.

Dawn Molloy RDH, BS, AAS resides in middle Tennessee. She received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Tennessee Technological University in 2002. With a concentration in biochemistry, this led her to work in research and development for the cosmetic industry. In 2008, Dawn received her degree in dental hygiene from Chattanooga State Community College. She was honored with the Colgate "STAR" award for her volunteer efforts in the school systems. Following graduation, Dawn cared for her community as a registered dental hygienist, where she has 15 years of clinical experience in a high-quality private practice. She is involved with Middle Tennessee Hygiene Study Club, Gaither Perio Hygiene Study Club, and Southern Tennessee Endodontic Study Club. Dawn continues her education each year to build on her knowledge with the advancements in all aspects of dentistry. She volunteers closely with the community to offer services at local remote clinics. Some organizations that Dawn works closely with are Remote Area Medical USA, Hope Smiles, Medical Mission at Home, and Divine Care Ministries of Uganda.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board

Donald S. Clem III, DDS received his DDS at Loyola University of Chicago. He then completed a General Practice Residency at the North Chicago VA Medical Center and Great Lakes Naval Regional Medical Center. Dr. Clem completed his periodontal specialty training at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 1984. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. He has served the profession in many compacities including President of the California Society of Periodontists, President of the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation, President of the American Academy of Periodontology. He is the recipient of numerous awards including Outstanding Contribution to the Field of Periodontics by the California Society of Periodontists, 4 Special Citations from the American Academy of Periodontlogy, The Clinical Research Award from the AAP. He is a fellow in the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fuchard Academy. Dr. Clem has lectured extensively throughout the world and has published over 20 articles or textbook chapters.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board

E. Todd Scheyer, DDS, MS received his Bachelor's Degree in Biology with Honors from Arizona State University and attended dental school at The Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University from which he graduated Magna Cum Laude earning clinical and research awards. Dr. Scheyer received his Certificate in Periodontics, Conscious Sedation and a Master's Degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and School of Biomedical Science, clinically focusing on Perio-Prosthetic Reconstruction and periodontal regeneration. Dr. Scheyer was awarded the John F. Prichard Award for graduate research in February 2001. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. Dr. Scheyer has and currently serves as an officer and committee member for many outstanding dental organizations. He is a past District 5 Trustee for the American Academy of Periodontology and is a past President of the Southwest Society of Periodontists and President of the Texas Society of Periodontists. He is in private practice limited to Periodontics and Implant Dentistry in Houston, Texas. Dr. Scheyer is a Clinical Assistant Instructor at the University of Texas Dental Branch-Houston and Guest Lecturer for the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He continues to be involved with clinical research and publications from the private practice setting. Drs. McGuire and Scheyer have developed one of the most proficient clinical research centers in periodontics and have been involved with clinical research networks since 1989. Dr. Scheyer shares his research and vast perspectives through national and international lecturing and is a nationally recognized leader in his specialty field. Clinical research interests are: tissue engineering for periodontal regeneration, dental implant based reconstruction with 3D treatment planning and clinical research networks.

Dr. Irina Dragan is a Diplomate and Examiner of the American Board of Periodontology. She received her first dental degree (DDS) from Carol Davila University in Romania. She then received her certificate in Periodontology, Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degrees from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM). Dr. Dragan also completed an advanced education program at New York University College of Dentistry in Comprehensive Dentistry with a concentration in esthetic dentistry. She has published over 45 articles, authored chapters in textbooks and, is one of the editors of the "Newman and Carranza's Essentials of Clinical Periodontology: an Integrated Study Companion". Her academic and professional achievements have been recognized with the Tufts University Provost's Award for Outstanding Teaching and Service, American Dental Education Association Chair of the Board of Directors (Presidential) Citation, American Academy of Periodontology Foundation Tarrson Fellowship Award, Academy of Osseointegration Applied Clinical Research Award, 2021 Massachusetts Dental Society "10 under 10" Award and most recently International College of Dentists Fellowship. Dr. Dragan is Adjunct Associate Professor and Former Director of Faculty Education and Instructional Development at TUSDM. She is a Lecturer at Harvard School of Dental Medicine in the Periodontology Postgraduate Program. She maintains a private practice limited to periodontology and implant dentistry at Brookline Periodontal Associates, the first periodontal practice established in US over 75 years ago by Dr. Henry Goldman.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board

Dr. McGuire, DDS, FICD, FACD is the author of over eighty-five peer reviewed and published scientific manuscripts, an unparalleled achievement for someone in full time private practice. He is the founder and chairman of the McGuire Institute, a not for profit practice-based clinical research network. His research has received the American Academy of Periodontology's highest recognition for excellence, four times earning the Robinson Regeneration Award and twice the Clinical Research Award. He is also the recipient of the Academy's prestigious Master Clinician Award and the Academy's highest honor, the Gold Medal Award. In 2015 he received the William J. Gies Periodontology Award for his distinguished achievement in periodontology. Dr. McGuire is past Chairman of the American Board of Periodontology. He has served as president of numerous dental organizations, including the American Academy of Periodontology and the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation. He is a voting member of the FDA Dental Products Devices Panel.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board
• Executive Director of Clinical Research and Operations
• Member of the American Academy of Periodontology

Rick Heard,DDS, MS, a native of Victoria, received his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He continued training there for three more years to receive his Certificate and Masters of Science in Periodontics and Implantology. Following his residency, he became a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology meaning he has fulfilled the highest standards of his profession. Dr. Heard is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Southwest Society of Periodontists, Texas Dental Association, Texas Society of Periodontists, and Guadalupe Valley Dental Society. He is the co-founder of the Victoria Area Interdisciplinary Dental Study Club and the Victoria Area Dental Hygiene Study Club. He holds numerous positions in some of these societies as a means of service to his professional community. Prior to returning to Victoria, Dr. Heard was the course director and clinical professor of periodontics and implantology at the UTHSCSA Dental School in the General Practice and Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residencies. Dr. Heard also enjoys lecturing on his specialty to local societies and within the community of Victoria. He values providing for his patients the following therapies: treatment of periodontal disease, dental implants, periodontal plastic surgery, oral medicine, and esthetic procedures coordinated with restorative dentistry. It is his goal to provide exemplary care for his patients, and raise the level of awareness in our region for oral health care needs. This can only be accomplished through his ongoing efforts at continuing education thereby staying abreast of state of the art treatment modalities, educating each person as to their individual oral healthcare needs, and being given the privilege to treat each individual in an ideal manner.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Honorary Board

Job Titles:

• Member of the Honorary Board
• Chairman and CEO of Panavance Therapeutics Inc

Greg Bosch brings over 30 years in the life science and healthcare sectors with leadership of commercial, operations, research and clinical development teams across the US and Europe. His passion is to advance technologies and therapeutic solutions to improve patient care, treatments and outcomes. His broad general management experience spans the pharmaceutical, biologics and medical device segments. Greg has grown businesses organically as well as through acquiring public and private companies and helped fund companies through both private financings as well as taking a company public through an IPO. Greg is currently Chairman and CEO of Panavance Therapeutics Inc., a clinical stage oncology company developing its novel small molecule asset to address multiple cancer targets with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and ovarian cancer as its top priorities. Greg led the creation of Panavance as a spin out of the Geistlich group in 2021. Prior to Panavance, Greg was Chief Executive Officer of Geistlich Pharma North America from 2012 to 2021, where he led a cross functional team which established Geistlich as the US market leader in the biomaterial and regenerative medicine dental field by building strong relationships with clinicians in both the periodontist and oral & craniofacial surgery professions. During his tenure, he also launched the Osteo Science Foundation, the Geistlich company's 501(c)(3), established to support research and education in regenerative medicine for dentistry. He also supported Geistlich's US biomaterials businesses in the woundcare and orthopedic segments. While at Geistlich, Greg also led the company's global oncology program and was responsible for the team developing its proprietary small molecule drug compound GP-2250 from early R&D through to the first clinical studies. From 2004 to 2012, Greg was the President and Chief Executive Officer of PuriCore PLC, a company focused on a novel antimicrobial technology. Greg led the private, venture-backed company through a successful IPO raising £30 (USD 50) million on the London FTSE. In 2006 he was named CEO of the year in the Philadelphia Life Sciences sector. Prior to his experience with PuriCore, he held roles of increasing responsibility at American Hospital Supply / Baxter International including General Manager of the BioSurgery Business which pioneered a new industry sector of companies focusing on biomaterials and biologics to be utilized across all surgical applications. Under Greg's leadership, Baxter's BioSurgery business grew from $35 million to $225 million within 5 years. During his career at Baxter, Greg was also Vice President of Strategic Planning and Assistant to the President, where he was based in Zurich, Switzerland and Vienna, Austria helped lead the integration and management of Immuno AG for five years. Greg currently serves on the Board of Kibow Biotech, Inc. Greg earned his undergraduate degree in Public Policy from Duke University and an MBA from DePaul University's Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.

Jana Mannen, RDH, MSDH is a native Texan and joined The McGuire Institute in August 2021 as Clinical Coordinator I. Jana started her research experience in dental research as a research assistant with Perio Health Professionals with Dr. McGuire and Dr. Scheyer. She went on to complete her Master of Science where she completed her thesis as a PI in her passion for geriatric clinical research. She taught online degree completion courses as an alumnus for Eastern Washington University 2014-2018. She became a Clinical Assistant Professor (2011-2013) and moved on to Assistant Professor (2018-2021) at The University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston where she was involved with university studies. Jana, prior to her graduation from dental hygiene school, she was a dental assistant for 21 years. She currently works full time as a clinical dental hygienist and has been practicing dental hygiene in Houston since 2008. Jana has published articles in peer-reviewed dental hygiene journals. She is on the Texas Dental Hygiene Board as Trustee and has a passion for giving back to her profession through grass roots legislative services.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board
• Scientist

Jeanne Ambruster is a scientist turned marketing professional who has spent most of her career building science-based startups as an entrepreneur. In order to support this passion, she founded The Avenues Company over 20 years ago, where she works directly with clients to successfully launch and grow market share for innovative products. Avenues is a product, market and business development company with expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics and biotechnology. The company's areas of therapeutic focus include tissue regeneration, precision medicine, osseointegration, wound healing and inflammation in several clinical indications. Avenues has extensive experience partnering with healthcare professionals and industry to build demand for new products in these categories. Jeanne earned her BA degree in biology with a minor in chemistry from Pitzer College (Claremont Colleges in CA) in 1979. After attending UCSF graduate school in neurosciences, she began her career at W.L. Gore's Medical Division in 1981 where she helped develop the medical division and built a global regenerative technologies business in the dental industry. After almost 20 years at Gore, she left to be a senior vice president at Interleukin Genetics with a focus on the role of cytokines in chronic inflammatory diseases, such as periodontitis. From there, she founded The Avenues Company and joined as CEO in 2001. Jeanne has chaired the boards of both for-profit (Pathogene) and not-for profit (Westminster College in SLC) organizations. Presently she is a founding board member of The McGuire Institute (iMc), which is advancing the practice of dentistry through generating "Real World" evidence in practice-based settings and on the Dean's Advisory Board at Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM). Jeanne serves on the Operating Committee for Michigan-Pittsburgh-Wyss Regenerative Medicine Resource Center (MPWRM RC) in partnership with NIH/NIDCR focused on dental, oral and craniofacial (DOC) tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. She is also an "Expert in Residence" at the Harvard Innovation Lab.

Job Titles:

• Director of Clinical Research

Kathy began her medical/dental career in Southern California in the early "80s, working in a family practice setting for over 17 years before relocating to Tennessee and starting a career in clinical trials at the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She then went on to work in a CRO setting where she managed multiple studies with diversified indications, from Phase I to Phase 3. She was introduced to the McGuire Institute in 2016, and in 2019, she came on board as the Director of Compliance and Logistics and is currently the Director of Clinical Research.

Job Titles:

• Registry Lead Coordinator

Kendra is a native Texan, residing in rural Ganado, Texas. She began her dental career as a RDA in 2011 with Gulf Coast Periodontics and serves as a clinical research assistant for Dr. Rick Heard. She also has maintained an LVN license for 18 years, most currently assisting in surgical sedation procedures. Prior to her dental career, she was the charge nurse for a busy, multi-physician pediatric practice, and she continues to provide nursing care within her local hospital and emergency room. She will be focusing on coordinating and maintaining the data in our registry. Kendra takes pride in teaching and staying abreast of current research, to clinically provide our patients with the best and most current options available to them.

Lisha Edwards, RDH, BS, received her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in 2002 from the Caruth School of Dental Hygiene at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas, Texas. She began her career as a registered dental hygienist practicing in general dentistry, but quickly discovered her passion for periodontology when she joined the team at Gulf Coast Periodontics in Victoria, Texas, in 2003. During her 18-year career in private practice, she served as a clinical dental hygienist, office manager overseeing staff, policies, and procedures, and as the clinical research coordinator for Dr. Rick Heard as a part of the McGuire Institute network. Taking a step back from full time clinical practice to focus on her family in 2020, Lisha returned to her career in dentistry in 2023 solely concentrated on research administration as the clinical research coordinator for Dr. Rick Heard and a clinical document analyst for the McGuire Institute.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board

Todd Scantlebury graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Biomedical Engineering and then worked with W.L. Gore and Associates, Inc. for 18-yrs - first with their cardiovascular division, then by co-leading the Regenerative Technologies division, a new dental products division, and finally by also helping lead the Biologics division. He holds several U.S. and foreign biomaterial patents. His primary interest is new product development and market introduction. Todd has been an associate with The Avenues Company since 2002 working to help dental, general surgery and orthopedic companies in the U.S and Europe.