BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
LAUREN MCNICHOLAS
Lauren graduated from Indiana University in Fort Wayne in 2008 with an Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene and earned her Local Anesthesia for Dental Hygienists Certification in 2019. She has been practicing in the Michiana area for over 14 years. Lauren is married and has two Wire Hair Fox Terriers. Her professional service includes serving two terms as President of the Elkhart/Goshen Dental Hygienists’ Association, a two-time delegate to the IDHA House of Delegates, has been a member of the ADHA since 2008, and served three terms as a member of the Indiana Hygienists of Indiana Political Action Committee. Lauren served as President of the Indiana Dental Hygienists' Association from 2021-2022 and is currently serving a second term.
Vice President
SHELBY RUDER
Shelby graduated from the Indiana University School of Dentistry Dental Hygiene program with her Associate's degree in 2017 as President of her hygiene class. She then completed her Bachelor's in Public Health Dental Hygiene in 2020. She is now a representative for Biolase, starting in September 2021, and a clinical hygienist since 2017. She has been involved with the IDHA and ADHA, and now, as a rep, is able to attend various conferences around the US to help spread information on laser usage for hygienists. She is passionate about her career as a dental professional and strives to make lasers the standard of care for hygienists across the nation.
Shelby is now serving on the Board of Directors as Vice President; she is very excited to work with the IDHA for the Annual Conference in 2023 and 2024, and help re-ignite our passion for dental hygiene and expand our community
Treasurer
HEATHER WALDRON
Heather graduated from IUSB with an Associate's degree in Dental Hygiene in 2004 and then returned to finish her Bachelor's and graduated in 2013. She is currently finishing her certificate for Community Dental Health Coordinator online at Catawba Valley Community College in North Carolina and also scheduled to finish her Master's degree in Healthcare Innovation from Arizona State University online in July 2023. Heather has practiced clinically since 2004. She has a history outside the clinic in Revenue Cycle Management and has worked closely with oral surgery offices to improve systems. Currently, she works as an adjunct faculty at Ivy Tech from 2020 and teaches Community Health which has a special place in her heart. On top of all that Heather works as an oral health consultant with Summit Managed Solutions working with clients to improve oral health strategies that utilize community outreach to bring services to Hoosiers. She has been part of the association on and off since graduation but has stayed committed since 2020 and served as the Northwest Component Chair to get involved. Heather is currently our IDHA Treasurer, HI-PAC Treasurer,
and on the Legislative Committee.
Secretary
LYDIA SPENCER
Lydia is a 2007 graduate from the University of Southern Indiana's Dental Hygiene program. While practicing for 12 years as a clinician in Northern Indiana, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Services from USI, Master of Science in Dental Hygiene, and a Master of Public Health from MCPHS University, and certification as a Health Education Specialist (CHES). She is pursuing a Doctorate of Health Sciences through A.T. Still University. Her areas of interest include community health education and health promotion, and dental/medical mission work. Currently, Lydia is the Public Health Preparedness Coordinator for the Elkhart County Health Department. Lydia has participated as a component delegate during several IDHA Annual Conferences and is enjoying serving on the Board of Directors as Secretary.
Trustee at Large
SHIRLEY BOOTZ
Shirley graduated in 1997 from Indiana University Northwest with an Associate of Science in Dental Hygiene. She then graduated in 2012 from Indiana University South Bend with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and completed a Master of Science in Education in 2018 at Indiana University Bloomington.
Shirley is currently the Dean of Health Science, Public Affairs and Social Services at Ivy Tech Community College, South Bend. She has a background working in general and pediatric dentistry.
I have held several positions in the Indiana Dental Hygienist’s Association including the South Bend Chapter President, Northwest Component Chair, and Alternate Delegate.
I have two children and five grandchildren, I enjoy spending time with family, hiking, baking, and reading.
ADHA 3 Year Delegate
MADISON SHUEE
Madison graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in Community Health and then went on to graduate from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene. After graduation, she moved to Indianapolis and has been working in the same private practice for five years. Throughout her time as a dental hygienist, Madison has enjoyed developing relationships with her patients and teaching them about the importance of dental health. She is passionate about explaining the impact oral health has on the entire body. Madison considers herself to be an oral health coach and wants all of her patients to leave the office learning something new about oral hygiene habits and feeling confident in themselves and their smile.
CENTRAL OFFICE
Executive Director
DANIELLE DODSON
Danielle attended Indiana University- Bloomington and then transferred to the Indiana University School of Dentistry where she graduated with her Associate of Science in 2013. After graduation, she moved back to her hometown in Southern Indiana, and has been a hygienist at the same office since. While practicing she completed her Bachelor of Science in 2015 at IUSD. Danielle loves clinical hygiene, but also has a passion for education and travels the Kentuckiana area as a professional educator for Waterpik. Her profession is very important to her and she is currently serving as the Executive Director for the IDHA. She and her husband, Zach, have two young children and love to cheer on their Indiana Hoosiers!
