Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

September 16, 2009, Page 2

Transcribed by Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon

Ribbon-cutting ceremony held at Dental Center

Neillsville Mayor Diane Murphy cuts the ribbon to the Marshfield Clinic Neillsville Dental Center alongside many of those involved in bringing the dental center to Neillsville during a celebration and dedication held Friday, Sept. 11, 2009. The dental center opened for patient care Aug. 10, 2009.  (Photos by Peter Spicer/Clark County Press)

By Peter Spicer

A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday, Sept. 11, for the Marshfield Clinic Neillsville Dental Center, which is in partnership with Family Health Center of Marshfield, Inc.

Family Health Center of Marshfield Director Greg Nycz was the master of ceremonies at the celebration and dedication, attended by many of those involved in bringing the dental center to Neillsville.

Nycz praised many involved with the project, including Miron Construction, for completing the project quickly. 

Nycz recognized dental center staff for treating patients.  “[Staff] are doing some incredibly hard work,” said Nycz.

The dental center was the result of “true bi-partisan efforts,” said Nycz, who credited Senator Russ Decker and Representative Scott Suder, who was not able to attend due to preparations for deploying to Iraq with the Wisconsin Air National Guard.

The dental center took four years of hard work by both the Republican and Democratic parties, said Suder’s Chief of Staff Luke Hilgemann.

State Senator Pat Kreitlow attended the ceremony and stated the center is part of the solution to solving the problem of dental care access.

The dental center took teamwork and cooperation, said Kreitlow. “This is one great day for the community,” said Kreitlow.

Nycz praised Neillsville Mayor Diane Murphy for her efforts to bring the center to the city. “[Murphy] was always there for us,” said Nycz.

The dental center is a place for those who don’t have access to dental care, said Murphy.  Meeting dental needs is the most important reason for the dental center, said Murphy.

“That’s what it is all about,” said Murphy, who also urged those in attendance to remember those who died from the terrorist attacks Sept. 11, 2001.

Nycz credited Neillsville’s Memorial Medical Center (MMC) for its efforts.  “We could not be here today if it weren’t for Memorial Medical Center,” said Nycz.

MMC CEO Scott Polenz praised Nycz for using intelligence and perseverance to help bring the center to Neillsville. “[Nycz is] an extraordinary human being,” said Polenz.

Others who spoke at the ceremony included Department of Health Services Secretary Karen Timberlake, USDA Rural Development State Director Stan Gruszynski, Wisconsin Board for people with Developmental Disabilities Executive Director Jennifer Ondrejka and Marshfield Clinic President and CEO Dr. Karl Ulrich.

Neillsville Dental Center offers general dentistry services, including preventive, restorative, operative, prosthodontics, endodontics, diagnostic, oral surgery and emergency care.

A ground breaking ceremony was held May 11; the dental center opened for patient care Aug. 10.  The dental clinic, located on three acres of property at 8 Boon Boulevard, is approximately 10,856 square feet; five dentist and five dental hygienists are part of the approximately 30 staff members at the dental center.

Grants are pending to help fund two dental clinics in Oneida County similar to the Neillsville center that may soon open, said Nycz.

The center serves all patients, regardless of ability to pay or insurance status.  A Dental Financial Assistance Program is available for those with limited income.

For more information, call Marshfield Clinic Neillsville Dental Center at 715-743-1900.

An education room is part of the Marshfield Clinic Neillsville Dental Center, which opened for patient care Aug. 10.  Many attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, Sept. 11, toured the dental center.

Additional Articles:

Neillsville Dental Clinic (15 Oct. 2008)

Ground Breaking (13 May 2009)

New Dental Clinic (22 July 2009)

3 Dentists Join Dental Clinic (2 Sept. 2009)

Dental Clinic Dedication (9 Sept. 2009)