Member Voices Dr. Mounika Faleban Member since 2015
Mounika Falemban, DDS has been a Suncoast member since 2015. She became a member after hearing great things from her colleagues about Suncoast. Since there was a Suncoast branch located near her dental practice, it was a convenient choice for a financial partner. As a child, Dr. Falemban loved going to the dentist. The kindness of those childhood dental appointments made her want to be a dentist. Then while in dental school, she found her true inspiration in her professor, Dr. Nathanael Salako. Dr. Falemban followed her dream and became a pediatric dentist, opening a small office called Kid Zone Dentistry in Gibsonton. She is dedicated to her young patients, providing oral healthcare to the kids in her community. But when the pandemic began, Dr. Falemban’s business faced challenges. She stopped taking any salary so she could pay her staff. With changing health guidelines, the cost of personal protection equipment, and operating under reduced hours due to social distancing and staff health considerations,
Rob Kriete
Member since 1997 After spending 24 years helping students as a teacher, Rob Kriete wanted the opportunity to find ways to improve the teaching and learning conditions for Hillsborough County teachers, education support professionals, and students. In his role as president of the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association, he gets to do just that. (cont’d)
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Dr. Falemban turned to Suncoast for help with a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan. “I am so grateful to Ms. Kim Donnelly (a Suncoast Micro Enterprise Development Specialist) who was so kind and helpful in walking me through the process,” Dr. Falemban said. “I’m extending my gratitude to Suncoast for helping our small business survive the harsh year and keep us going to help the children of our community.”
