Board of Directors

Greta is a Registered Dental Hygienist employed with WV Health Right of Charleston, on the mobile dental unit. She has her public health permit and has been an active member of the WVOHC for 3 years now.

Dr. Whitaker serves as Chair of the Department of Diagnostic Sciences where his main duty involves supervision of the Urgent Care Clinic. He is certified by the American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, a specialist member of the American

Association of Endodontists and an associate member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Before arriving in West Virginia, Dr. Whitaker served as the Director of the Arkansas Office of Oral Health and was primary lead in the development of the State Oral Health Plan.

Prominently recognized as a strong business leader in Raleigh County, Jeff began his career in Health Care Administration at Beckley Health Right in 2002. His strong and diverse business background led the BHR Board of Directors to approach him to help rescue the struggling free health clinic. Soon he became the CEO of the operation, beginning the most challenging, yet rewarding, endeavor of his professional life.

Jeff is also recognized as a strong advocate for Free Clinics throughout West Virginia and has long served as President for The West Virginia Association of Free Clinics. In addition to his professional career, Jeff is a devoted husband and father of four, and has been active in many civic groups, organizations, and churches throughout the years.

Marcia Brand, PhD, completed more than 20 years of service for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services, where she serves as Deputy Administrator since 2009. Marcia is credited with bringing exceptional leadership, organizational skills, commitment to quality and common sense to her work.

Marcia is known as a “tireless champion” for oral health, leading efforts to better integrate oral health care and primary care as well as for being a “fierce supporter” of better health care in rural communities. Currently, Marcia serves as the Co- Chair of National Rural Health Association’s Foundation, and Co-Chair of the Health Workgroup of the Appalachian Funders Network.

In addition to serving the dental community through professional development opportunities, Dr. Michelle Klenk served as Department Chairperson of the BridgeValley Community and Technical College Dental Hygiene program for a total of 24 years. She completed 3 years of service on the West Virginia Board of Dentistry and also continues to serve as a dental hygiene member/examiner for the Commission on Dental Competency Assessment/Western Regional Examining Board.

She serves as the District VI representative to the American Board of Dental Examiners. Her American Dental Association appointments include service on the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination Test Construction committee and as a site visitor for the Commission on Dental Accreditation. She is a past-president and active member of the West Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association.

Dr. Homburg is a graduate of WVU School of Dentistry and employed as the Dental Director at Cabin Creek Health Systems. She also serves as a Dental Officer with the rank of Major in the WV Air National Guard and as a clinical assistant professor/rural site preceptor for the WVU Dental School. She has been a member of the WVOHC for over 5 years and actively worked on the adult benefit legislation efforts.

Jordan has been a member of the Aetna Better Health of West Virginia team for 10 years. In his role he has worked to make an

impact on the health needs for southern West Virginia by partnering with community organizations. These partnerships have helped disseminate resources and health information to the population, including the new Medicaid Adult Dental Benefit. Jordan also serves the state in his personal time.

He works with 4-H youth across West Virginia at summer camps and during monthly meetings/activities. He organizes feeding programs for families in Mercer County while school is not in session and partners with the Mountaineer Food Bank to do food distributions across the state. Jordan is a graduate of Concord University and hopes to continue helping West Virginians live happier and healthier lives.

Claire is a Health Program Officer at the Pallottine Foundation of Huntington, which supports innovative health and wellness initiatives across 20 counties in West Virginia, Kentucky, and Ohio.

In this role, Claire collaborates with nonprofit organizations to support the development and implementation of a wide range of health-related programs and services, including projects aimed at providing oral health care and education for students, seniors, individuals in recovery, and rural communities. Claire’s previous experience centers on advocacy and supportive services in higher education, home visitation, and residential treatment settings. She holds degrees from Marshall University and is privileged to call West Virginia her adopted home.

Gina Sharps is a graduate of West Virginia University obtaining a B.S. degree in 1993 and a Masters of Public Health degree in 2012. She has worked in both private and public sectors of the dental profession over the span of thirty years and currently serves as the Executive Director with the West Virginia Oral Health Coalition. On a national level, Gina sits on the National Rural Health Association, Oral Health Initiative Task Force along with acting as the Co-Lead Consultant for the National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety’s Dental Hygienists Liaison Project.

Gina is a past president for the West Virginia Dental Hygienists’ Association and the dental hygiene member on the West Virginia Board of Dentistry. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with her doggies.