Crimson & Gold
 |
Alumni Profiles |
Alumnus Documents Native Health
 Capt. Alan Dellapenna |
The Transfer Act of 1954 moved the health program for AIs from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to the PHS. The history project was inspired by a study funded in the first IHS budget. “At that time, the first IHS director, James Shaw, a PHS physician from Yale, Mich., set aside funds to do a study and report to Congress on the status of Indian health. The report was published with a gold-colored cover and became commonly referred to as the Gold Book,” explained Dellapenna.
Dellapenna visited Ferris last October to meet with Jack Fleming who is now vice president of Ferris’ Emeriti Association and discussed his and the University’s involvement with IHS. Fleming outlined how he developed a close working relationship with the IHS environmental health program, becoming interested in Indian health issues in the early 1960s from the reports of poor health problems Indians were experiencing.
“He took his family on a series of trips to the Navajo reservation to do volunteer work, said Dellapenna. “After he came to Ferris he drew on his IHS contacts to place interns and entry level staff with the agency. He also served as a consultant to the agency. I found that Ferris grads were well prepared for the challenges of Indian health work. I feel fortunate to have had the training I received at Ferris. It was a real honor to have the opportunity to visit with professor Fleming again and discuss his work with the Indian Health Services and his influence on the environmental health profession.”
Background on Indian health history, links to historic photos and a PDF copy of the new Gold Book executive summary are available at http://dcp.psc.gov/ccbulletin/articles/IHSHistory.htm.
Alumna Among Nation’s Top Dental Hygienists
 Lori Totten |
As a finalist, Totten traveled to Beverly Hills, Calif., for a four-day trip whose highlights included meeting with top executives from the dental field including “Extreme Makeover” star and Discus Dental co-founder Dr. Bill Dorfman.
During the California portion of the BreathRX Hygienist of the Year competition, Totten and the other finalists were interviewed by top dental professionals and had “speed-dating” style interviews with editors of Modern Hygienist and representatives from the American Dental Hygienists’ Association.
The finalists also took part in media interviews and screen tests for a Discus Dental commercial. Totten’s wardrobe included both professional and formal attire accessorized with more than $15,000 of diamonds and pearls selected and provided by Trent Almassian of Almassian Jewelers in Grand Rapids.
More than 500 dental hygienists throughout the United States applied for the prestigious honor. The judges were impressed by Totten’s 22-year commitment to excellence in patient care and her embrace of spa therapy, digital dentistry and the new cosmetic technologies.
“I have been able to work in a practice where I am respected and challenged to be the best I can be,” said Totten, who has worked for Tom Lambert D.D.S. in cosmetic and restorative dentistry in Grand Rapids for the last 15 years. “My Dental Hygiene degree from Ferris has provided that opportunity for me. I feel blessed that my training and education has helped me be successful in my career.”
Totten and her husband, Jeff (T’85) met while members of the Ferris marching band. They have three children: Kala (14), Zachary (16) and 18-year-old Nicole who begins her studies at Ferris in this fall.
Modern Hygienist published articles featuring Lori’s achievements in its October and November issues.
Advanced Molding Solutions Expands
 Matt Jacobs, owner and president of Advanced Molding Solutions, along with AMS employees, cuts the ribbon at the company’s newly expanded Grand Haven facility. |
“My goal is to continue to grow Advanced Molding Solutions into a solid west Michigan business, as well as to further new product innovation and development,” said Jacobs. “I’d like to help people with new product ideas to create unique business situations that allow me to grow.”
To that end, Jacobs is also a partner in Klever Innovations, a business venture producing safety box cutters. The disposable cutters are designed not only for safety and ease of use, but to reduce damage to packed products. Jacobs used one of the cutters to slice the ceremonial ribbon.
On hand for the ribbon cutting was Jacobs’ father-in-law Fred Howting and former Ferris Board of Trustees member Jack Bates. At first, Jacobs didn’t know that the Bates of Bates Industrial Park where AMS is located was the same man that Howting knew as a Ferris student in the 1960s.
“I was one of the many Vietnam Vets who had to take Fred’s class in order to get through English at Ferris. He was monumental in helping veterans,” said Bates.
“The guys still call me, write and send pictures,” said Howting. “They were really good guys and good students. I remember one guy who, in the middle of a test, said he couldn’t do it and walked out. That Saturday, I had him come over to my house and take the test. He did very well.”
Bates has a unique perspective on AMS’ growth, with the company being in the same location where Bates & Associates began. “It’s been fun to watch Matt grow,” said Bates.
AMS produces plastic components for the furniture and automotive industries, plus such specialty projects as wheelchair parts. More information is available at www.molding-solutions.com.