Join five amazing ASDA alumni who will share their experiences across all facets of dentistry: residencies; specialties - pediatrics; associateships; private practice ownership; and non-traditional careers - military. Hear how they made their decisions and how ASDA played a role in those opportunities.
LaJoi Wiggins, Virginia Commonwealth University Pediatric Dental Resident, 2020
- "LaJoi E. Wiggins, and is currently a PGY-1 Resident at Virginia Commonwealth University Pediatric Dentistry Program where she is pursuing a Masters in Science in Dentistry, a certificate in pediatric dentistry, and a certificate in neurodevelopmental disabilities. She completed her dental school education in 2017 at East Carolina School of Dental Medicine in where her love for ASDA began. Immediately following graduation, she started a 1- year GPR program at Oklahoma University’s Medical Center where she had the opportunity to train at both OU Children’s Hospital and the OKV Veteran’s Affair Hospital.
She is no stranger to organized dentistry as her past leadership experience includes: 2015-2016 ASDA District 4 Trustee, where she was appointed to serve on the National ASDA Council of Membership and the 2016 ASDA Delegation to the ADA House of Delegates. Locally, she was a student trustee to North Carolina Dental Society and First Delegate to ECU ASDA’s Chapter."
Aruna Rao, DDS, K.O.A.LA. Dental Care, LLC, St. Could, Buffalo, Baxter, Minnesota, Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Clinical Adjunct Faculty, U of Minneosta School of Dentistry
- Dr. Rao is a practicing pediatric dentist in St. Cloud, MN in a small group specialty practice. She holds a bachelors in Biomedical Engineering and DDS from the University of Minnesota in 2012, and went on to receive her pediatric specialty certificate from the University at Buffalo in 2014. She began in ASDA as a class rep and re-ignited the Legislative Grassroots Network at her chapter at the University of Minnesota. She was appointed as the Vice-Chair of the LGN (currently known as the ADPAC Student director) and currently serves on several councils, committees and advisory roles at the Minnesota Dental Association (the NDC, Membership, district past-president). She will also attend the ADA HOD as an alternate delegate this Fall. Dr. Rao is also clinical adjunct faculty at the University of Minnesota and is the current president of the School of Dentistry Alumni Society. She lives in Minneapolis with her pet rabbit, Pierre, and fiance and is excited to finally be getting married next May!
Dr. Becky Warnken, Marquette '13
- Dr. Becky Warnken graduated from Marquette University School of Dentistry in 2013. During her time at Marquette, Becky served as Marquette ASDA President and was member of the 2012-2013 ASDA Board as the District 7 Trustee. She served as the Chair for the ASDA National Leadership Conference in 2015. Becky is currently a member of the Florida Dental Association Committee on Continuing Education and Conventions and is the 2021 Program Chair for The Florida Dental Convention. She also serves on the Florida West Coast District Dental Association’s New Dentist Committee. Becky maintains a multi-location practice in Tampa, Florida. When she is not practicing dentistry, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and their two boys.
Adam C Shisler, DDS., M.S.D. Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
Kyle Luis Larsen, DDS, National Health Service Corps Clinician
- Dr. Larsen is a graduate of the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. While in dental school, he held various positions within ASDA including President of Colorado ASDA and District 9 Trustee for the 2015-2016 school year. He is a National Health Service Corps Scholar and currently works for a community health clinic in rural Colorado. He is currently the president of the Southeastern Colorado Dental Society.