Kelly Balch Jobe | Celebrating Generosity

Celebrating Generosity

Kelly Balch Jobe | Ursuline Class of 2001

Kelly is a Pediatric Dentist based in Sunset Hills. After attending Ursuline, she went on to the University of Missouri at Kansas City (UMKC) for dental school. Afterwards, she continued her education with an additional two residency rotations in pediatrics at Children’s Mercy Hospital, also located in Kansas City. Once complete, Dr. Jobe and her husband decided to return home to practice and raise their family. She has been among the ‘Top Dentists’ chosen by peers and featured in St. Louis Magazine for the past four years. We asked her about her Ursuline experience, and why she chooses to give back to Ursuline today.

1. Kelly, tell us about yourself.

My family and I live here in St. Louis. My husband, Jeff, is a structural engineer and I am a pediatric dentist. We have two kids, Peyton (8) and Jackson (6). Both kids are busy with soccer and baseball/softball and the occasional other sport thrown in there. We love to spend time outside on the water, with friends and take vacations.

I opened a new private practice, Kids Smiles, located in Sunset Hills in 2022. I worked with a great team of engineers and designers to bring my vision to life. Having a great team, a clear budget and defined timeline were so important to our success. We look forward to growing into our space and providing technologically advanced care to those we serve.

My office is limited to pediatrics and offers comprehensive care for kids from ages 0-18 years of age. The office is full of natural light, fun colors and entertainment for the kids. We are able to offer preventative and restorative care, along with interceptive orthodontics. We partner with a great group of anesthesiologists to provide comfortable care for kids with lots of treatment needs or special healthcare needs.

2. How do you feel your Ursuline experience prepared you for college and your career?

Attending Ursuline was excellent preparation for college and beyond. Ursuline offered opportunities for academic and personal growth in a supportive environment. With a variety of classes and options for increased depth into them, I was able to arrive at college with knowledge of where my strengths and interests aligned. The A/B schedule of days also prepared me for the college academic schedule where your day and commitments are unique to you. That aspect only increases as you get into your career and handle your day and responsibilities based on what is needed from you.

The values of community and service as cornerstones of an Ursuline education have become important parts of each stage of my life. Whether it was college and making new friends, dental school and new classmates or a new position and colleagues, connection to community has made each of these more impactful. There are many paths to choose in life, but I’ve found that the one that helps benefit the lives of people around you also has the same effect on your own life.

3. Why is financially supporting Ursuline important to you?

I’ve always considered the relationships, education and opportunities I received at Ursuline to be building blocks of my life. I still talk to multiple friends I made at Ursuline daily. I’m so thankful for the confidence and experiences it provided me. I hope I can help to provide those for other young women.