WSPD - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- AZ Representative
Bobby Yang served as the treasurer of WSPD for over 15 years. He has rotated away from those duties but still represents AZ. He is a native of AZ and has been practicing since 2005. His practice name is called My Kidz Dentist with 3 valley locations. In his spare time, he loves to travel.
Job Titles:
- Immediate past President
- Member of the Officers Team
- Immediate past WSPD President
Dr. Brianne Butler, or "Dr. Bri" as she prefers to be called, was born and raised in Washington State. She completed both dental school and her pediatric residency at the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital, where she received extensive experience in working with children of all ages and children with special needs. After completing residency, she and her husband decided to relocate to the beautiful Olympic Peninsula where she has been serving children for the past five years. Dr. Bri has also completed her board certification in pediatric dentistry and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Bri volunteers her time working as affiliate faculty at the University of Washington School of Dentistry and attends events throughout the community to promote oral health in children. She is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, Washington State Dental Association, and Olympic Peninsula Dental Society. She is committed to bettering the oral health of our community by working with patients and parents both in the clinic and in the community at large. In her free time, Dr. Bri enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and their dog, Lola. Her hobbies include traveling, fishing, board games, and anything outdoors!
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant
- Member of the Officers Team
Christine completed dental school at the University of Louisville, worked as a GP for a few years, and then completed her Pediatric residency at the Children's Hospital of Buffalo. Since she didn't get enough snow in Buffalo, she thought she'd give Alaska a try.
She stayed in Alaska for 20 years and has numerous adventures to share with others in both Dentistry and dog mushing.
Christine and her pack of huskies moved to Green Bay, Wisconsin in the summer of 2019, but she will continue to work in Alaska's remote villages on a part time basis.
Christine started as the Alaska Board Rep to the WSPD in 2005. She served as President, VP, and spent many years as the Secretary. When the position for an Executive Assistant was developed within the WSPD, Christine pursued the opportunity to further serve organized dentistry.
She is here to facilitate communications between individual state chapters and the District. Please contact her with any questions or concerns.
Don Schmitt graduated from the University of the Pacific Dental School. He completed his residency in Pediatric Dentistry at US . Don is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. For many years, Dr. Schmitt has served on the faculty at the University of the Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry. Dr. Schmitt has served as treasurer and on the executive committee of the board of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Schmitt is an active member of the Danville Rotary and serves on the Danville Rotary Foundation Board. When he's not seeing patients, Dr. Schmitt can often be found with his family, including their dogs and cats, at their home in Alamo. The family enjoys snow skiing, along with playing and attending sporting events. Dr. Schmitt also coaches his son's basketball, baseball, and soccer teams.
Job Titles:
- Certified Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Edee Lin is a board-certified Pediatric Dentist, receiving her certification from Oregon Health and Sciences University. Before that, she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri-Kansas School of Dentistry and completed her residency at Baylor University. Before practicing as a pediatric dentist, Dr. Lin practiced general dentistry for six years in Dallas, Texas. Dr. Lin is a native of Taiwan and speaks both Taiwanese and Mandarin fluently. When she is not in the office, she enjoys international travel ballroom dancing, the Symphony, and the Arts.
Dr. Ella Saeed completed her undergraduate studies at the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) in human biology and earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from University of California San Francisco (UCSF). She continued to complete her Pediatric Dentistry residency at University of Southern California (USC) and Children's Hospital Los Angeles, where she specialized in the care and treatment of infants, children, adolescents, with emphasis on patients with special health care needs.
Dr. Saeed is a board-certified pediatric dentist practicing in the San Francisco Bay Area in private practice and an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCSF School of Dentistry. She currently serves as the President of the Alameda County Dental Society and Board Director for the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry (CSPD).
Dr. Saeed speaks Arabic fluently and when not practicing dentistry, is an avid runner and hiker.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Vice President
Dr. Harlyn K. Susarla completed her undergraduate education at Wellesley College, obtained a Master of Public Health from Boston University, and was awarded her D.M.D. from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. She completed residency training in pediatric dentistry at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.
As a board-certified pediatric dentist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), Dr. Harlyn, (as she is known to her patients), is an advocate for children's oral health and has a strong commitment to service. She is a past president of the Washington State Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the New Diplomate Representative for the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a consultant on both the AAPD Council on Scientific Affairs and the Committee on Early Career Pediatric Dentists, a delegate for the Seattle King County Dental Society, a fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, as well as a member of the medical staff at Seattle Children's Hospital, the Washington State Dental Association, the Northwest Pediatric Dental Study Club and the Harvard Odontological Society. She has also published numerous book chapters and articles in the peer-reviewed medical and dental literature.
In her spare time, Dr. Harlyn enjoys spending time with her husband and two young daughters, attempting various culinary endeavors and traveling.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- AAPD Western District Trustee
Dr. Jacob Lee received his D.D.S. from the University of Toronto. He completed an internship at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and earned his diploma in pediatric dentistry at the University of Toronto. He was a faculty member at Loma Linda University and has served as director of the graduate program in pediatric dentistry at the University of Minnesota, chairperson of pediatric dentistry at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco and the dental director of the Children's Dental Health Clinic. Dr. Lee also served as director of the USC pediatric dental residency program at Miller Children's Hospital, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.
Dr. Lee is a Diplomate and examiner of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. As a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, he has served as a member of the Council on Continuing Education, member of the research committee, member of the editorial board of the AAPD Journal, chair of the Graduate Students Research Awards Committee and coordinated the academicians meeting at the annual sessions.
Dr. Jessica "Jessy" Blanco graduated with her Doctor of Dental Medicine from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL May 2013. Dr. Blanco specialized in pediatric dentistry and graduated from Children's National Health Hospital and the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, DC in June 2015. Dr. Blanco is a Board-Certified Pediatric Dentist who has been practicing for seven years in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Yakutat communities.
Dr. Blanco loves her chosen field and believes in the importance of public service. She currently serves as president of the Alaska Dental Society (ADS). She is Alaska's Public Policy Advocate for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), a position she has held since 2016. Dr. Blanco chairs several annual public service and community events, including a yearly Give Kids a Smile. In 2020, Dr. Blanco was awarded the volunteer of the year award by the Alaska Dental society for contributions to her community and profession.
Dr. Blanco was born and raised in Miami, Florida, where she met and married her high school sweetheart Roly Blanco. They moved to Juneau, Alaska, in 2003 after Roly enlisted in the US Coast Guard. The Blancos fell in love with the Alaskan way of life. Their beautiful daughter Sophia Blanco was born in Juneau in April of 2006. After 20 years of military service, the Blancos retired from the US Coast Guard and made Juneau their home base. Outside of work, Dr. Blanco enthusiastically takes in all Alaska has to offer, enjoying boating, fishing, hiking, exploring, and snowboarding. Additionally, she teaches drop-in Zumba classes, where she is affectionately referred to as Dr. Zumba!
Dr. Lynn Fujimoto attended Washington University School of Dental Medicine and received her D.M.D. in 1979. She completed a post doctorate residency in Pediatric Dentistry at University of California, Los Angeles in 1981. She was in private practice for over 31 years at Pediatric Dentistry Associates in Pearl City, Hawaii .
In 2009 she became the Associate Director of the NYU Langone Pediatric Dentistry Program, Hawaii Site and in 2012 she transitioned to this position full time. Dr. Fujimoto has been involved in organized dentistry over the past thirty years, showing the ability to handle multiple tasks of private practice along with serving in volunteer organizations. She is currently a past President of the Hawaii Dental Association, has served as Secretary, Treasurer and member of the Board of Trustees and is President-Elect of the Honolulu County Dental Society. She is the President of the Hawaii Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and past President of the Western Society of Pediatric Dentistry and received the Lewis A. Kay Award from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in May 2015 for outstanding Leadership and Education.
Dr. Fujimoto has been awarded Fellowship in the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and the Academy of Dentistry International. Dr. Fujimoto has served on medical missions to Ecuador, Guatemala and the Philippines with the Aloha Medical Mission and on education missions to Zambia, Nepal and Sicily with Global Dental Ambassadors.
Dr. Mamiko Kuriya is a native of Tokyo, Japan. She has always wanted to be a pediatric dentist since she was six years old. She completed her dental school and a pediatric dental residency at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, where she also received her master's degree in pediatric dentistry. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She is an owner and a pediatric dentist at Ballard Pediatric Dentistry in Seattle, WA.
Dr. Nate Stevenson grew up in North Ogden, Utah, attended Utah State for undergrad, and graduated from Marquette University Dental School. He completed his Pediatric Residency at Schneider's Children's Hospital in New York City. After 10 years in private practice in Salt Lake City, Nate and his wife and 3 children moved to Big Sky Country and now call Great Fall their home.
Nate was always active in organized dentistry, serving as president of the dental school, and serving as the Utah board representative to the WSPD while he practiced in Utah. After a few years off the board while getting settled in Montana, Nate has rejoined the WSPD board as the Montana representative.
Dr. Richard Manwaring graduated with honors from the UCLA School of Dentistry in 2009 where he was inducted into the OKU Dental Honor Society. After practicing general dentistry for 4 years in Texas, he returned to UCLA to complete his specialty certification in pediatric dentistry. Following graduation, he moved with his wife and four children to the beautiful city of Twin Falls, Idaho, where he currently practices. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. In his free time, Dr. Manwaring enjoys traveling, testing new recipes in the kitchen, and playing percussion for the Magic Valley Symphony.
Dr. Ronal Hsu is a pediatric dentist who owns and operates Storybook Dental in Camas, WA. He and his wife Misty are happy parents of three sons and two daughters.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- President
Felicity graduated from the University of Pretoria with Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree, then
Job Titles:
- AAPD Western District Trustee
Dr. Jonathon Lee joined his father, Dr. Brian Lee, in private practice in 2000. After graduating with Honors from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, he completed his dual specialty certification in Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics at the University of California at Los Angeles School of Dentistry. As one of the few Dual Board Certified Pediatric Dentists and Orthodontists in the country, he enjoys both providing care for the kids and watching them grow up. Because of quality experiences, generations have trusted and enjoyed coming to Dr. Jon, so much so, that they return with their kids. When not in the office, you can find Dr. Jon cooking, cycling, or serving his professional state, district, and national dental organizations where he has served as the President of The California Society of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Haque earned her graduate degree from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine where she was granted the Oral Medicine Award. She then received her postgraduate education in Pediatric Dentistry from NYU Langone Hospitals. Dr. Haque has worked in both private practice and in academia. She was a Clinical Assistant Professor at University of Illinois Chicago where she was awarded the Master Clinical Fellowship from American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Due to her passion for increasing access to care for under-resourced communities and integration of oral health and systemic health, she pursued her Masters in Public Health through Harvard Chan School of Public Health. She was also selected to be the Joseph Henry Fellow in Minority Oral Health Policy at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Haque currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the Arizona Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a reviewer for the Journal of Dentistry for Children.
Mitch graduated from the UCLA School of Dentistry and earned his certificate in pediatric dentistry from
USC. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a Fellow of the American
I am a board certified pediatric dentist with practices in the Bay Area. I completed my specialty training in pediatric dentistry at UCSF and my dental degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. I hold privileges at Kaiser Oakland hospital, the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, and the Walnut Creek outpatient surgery center and teach the practice management course for the UCSF pediatric dental residents. I have served on the CSPD Board since 2016. In my spare time, I love using my creativity for crafts, music, and baking with my husband and two girls who brighten my life. I am an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, California Society of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, California Dental Association and Southern Alameda County Dental Society.
Natasha graduated from dental school at the University of Pennsylvania and worked as a general dentist at a grassroots non-profit clinic for children in Philadelphia for a few years. Once she realized that pediatric dentistry was her one true (career) love, she applied to residency and spent two wonderful years at the University of Connecticut.
Shortly after, she moved to Oregon with her husband because they share a love of the outdoors and nature, and an unwavering disdain for sunshine. Natasha spends the majority of her spare time indulging in her passion for organized dentistry and is deeply involved at the State level as public policy advocate and (now past) president of the state chapter, as well as at the District level as the representative for the state of Oregon.
The rest of her time is spent exploring her new hometown of Portland with her husband and trying to discipline her rambunctious dog.
Dr. Pardis grew up in Menlo Park, California, received her bachelor's degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and completed her doctorate of dental surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). She then advanced her training at UCSF's dual Pediatric Dentistry and Master of Science (MS) program.
Over the years, Dr. Pardis has held numerous leadership positions. At UCSF School of Dentistry, Dr. Pardis was student body president and academic Chief Resident. Additionally, she was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society, in recognition of academic excellence, strength of character, and professional integrity. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and an active member of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Dental Association, and California Dental Association. She currently serves as the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry (CSPD) Director at Large and liaison to the WSPD.
Dr. Pardis is in private practice in the Bay Area. When she's not treating patients, she loves traveling, baking, volunteering, and spending time with her husband and two kids exploring local playgrounds and cafes!
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Treasurer
Trisha Benton was born, raised and practices in Washington state and is proud to serve the Western Society of Pediatric Dentistry. She attended dental school at Tufts University and went on to complete residencies at both Boston Medical Center (GPR) and Boston University (pediatric dentistry). Committed to optimal pediatric oral health, she strides strengthen and support pediatric dentistry through its organizations. She has served in this capacity throughout her career and has most recently completed a rotation on the board of the Washington State Association of Pediatric Dentistry. She looks forward to continuing her service locally, regionally and nationally.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- President - Elect
Native to Alaska Dr. Rob was born and raised in Valdez along the beautiful waters of Prince William Sound. After graduation from Valdez High School he received his Undergraduate from Montana State University where he graduated Suma Cum Laude, with a degree in Biomedical Sciences. He then went on to receive his DMD (dental degree) at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, Oregon.
Excited to get back to Alaska he accepted a job at Aspen Dental Center, a Community Health Center where he was Dental Director and worked as a general dentist for four years. After organizing a mission trip to Honduras and working with many children there he knew he that he wanted to work exclusively with kids.
Prior to establishing his Pediatric Dentistry Practice, Dr. Rob completed extensive specialized postgraduate education in pediatric dentistry through Lutheran Medical Center. In his final year there he was distinguished by being appointed Chief Resident. He is now a Board Eligible Specialist in pediatric dentistry and enjoys sharing his knowledge with others.
When Dr. Rob is not practicing his passion for Pediatric Dentistry, he spends most of his time with his friends, family, and their two miniature schnauzers. He enjoys fishing in the waters of Prince William Sound, traveling to new places, and playing his favorite sport basketball.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Officers Team
- Secretary
- Secretary / Alberta, Canada )
Sarah completed dental school at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. After a year as a dental intern at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Sarah went on to complete her Pediatric Dentistry speciality as well as a Master of Science degree all at the University of Toronto. She then went on to complete a Fellowship in Special Care Dentistry in Melbourne, Australia with a focus on the genetic and medical variances in this population as well as trauma care.
Sarah returned to the Toronto area to work in a variety of clinical environments including being staff at the Hospital for Sick Children, staff at the University of Toronto, staff at the Bloorview MacMillan Centre (a centre for the care of children with genetic and acquired developmental defects) as well as practicing in private practice. These opportunities helped solidify a lifetime focus on education, research and a passion for the unique challenges experienced by the special needs populations. Sarah has always focused on the need to balance life and play so there was no shortage of mountain biking, triathalon competing and world travel.
Always interested in broadening her life experience, Sarah moved to Calgary to continue working in education, hospital and private practice settings 18 years ago. The move also allowed for an expansion of other interests which now also include road riding, photography, hiking (climbed Kilimanjaro in 2016) and an open mind to try almost any adventure.
Sarah has continued to increase her involvement with organized dentistry over the years which included becoming involved with the WSPD since 2011. She has served as the VP and President as well as being involved with numerous committees within the WSPD. Sarah will readily tell you……"The WSPD is the best organization that I have worked with. They have are the broadest thinkers and reasonable debaters, both which make it an outstanding organization to be involved with."
Thomas Tanbonliong is an Associate Professor and Clinic Director of Pediatric Dentistry and Dental Public Health at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. He received his dental degree from the University of the Pacific, School of Dentistry and pediatric dental training at Case Western Reserve University and Rainbow Babies and Children's Hospital following completion of a General Practice Residency Program at Metro Health Medical Center in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Tanbonliong is a Diplomate and a member of the exam committee of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Travis Neu is a Nevada native from the small town of Winnemucca. Growing up, he moved around the world, living in Colorado, Washington, and Bolivia. He received a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Nevada - Reno. Dr. Travis attended UNLV School of Dental Medicine, where he received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. He then completed a two-year pediatric residency program at UNLV, becoming a pediatric specialist. He is in private practice in Henderson, Nevada and he enjoys spending time with his wife and 4 children. He also enjoys running and has a healthy addiction to pickleball.