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Alumni Profiles
ALUMNI ON THE FRONT LINES
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DR. MORVARID MOINI
CLASS OF 2003
Pediatric Dentist Expanding Melbourne Practice
Article reprinted with permission by Shawna S. Lucas, Space Coast Living Publisher Typically, a patient falling asleep during a health examination is more cause for concern than celebration. For pediatric dentist Dr. Morvarid Moini, DMD, MPH however, it was a signal to take her dentistry career in a different direction. “All of my adult patients were so relaxed that they fell asleep during treatment while I was in dental school. It made me think about how I could best channel that skill and that’s when I decided that I wanted to pursue pediatric dentistry,” she said.
SCIENTIFIC STUDY + CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the pediatric dentistry residency program, taken after graduation from dental school, immerses the dentist in scientific study enhanced with clinical experience. This training is the dental counterpart to general pediatrics, and trainees learn advanced diagnostic and surgical procedures along with:
• Child psychology and behavior guidance • Oral pathology • Pharmacology related to the child • Radiology • Child development and growth • Management of oral-facial trauma • Caring for patients with special health care needs • Sedation and general anesthesia • Dietary and nutritional counseling
“With kids, there’s so much fear around the treatment, that arises from the unknown and lack of trust, and that was something that intrigued me,” she said. Morvarid grew up in Brevard, attending Indialantic Elementary, Holy Name of Jesus and Melbourne Central Catholic schools before graduating and heading off to college. After attending dental
Office images supplied by Dr. Morvarid Moini
school at Nova Southeastern University and pediatric dental residency at Tufts University, she decided to come back to the Space Coast to contribute directly to the community where she was raised.
Good thing for us, Brevard is listed as a shortage area in a number of medical categories, including pediatric dentistry, mental health services and oncology services. Morvarid, who tells her patients to call her Dr. M&M, hopes her work will help ease the burden a bit. “There is definitely more need than can be addressed at this time, but we will do our part,” she said. Her office is located in the central part of the county, on Sarno Road, and currently sees about 100 patients on the three days the office is open: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. “We are here to progress to a full-time schedule as our patients need us,” she said.
PREVENTION IS KEY
“We can see kids as early as their first tooth, but definitely by their first birthday,” she said. Prevention is key. We treat if we have to, but really the goal is to keep them out of treatment with prevention. Our goal is to make the process fun and easy by giving the patients a sense of control. We say ‘You are my boss. Raise your hand if you have a question and give me a thumbs up if you’re ok.’” Ensuring patient comfort and working to build trust is critical to reducing the fear factor that children often experience with a pediatric dentist. We try to keep visit times short - no more than 20 or 30 minutes, because we understand they are children after all, she said.
Pearl Pediatric Dental is located at 2261 Sarno Road, Melbourne. For more information, call 321-499-2660 or online at PearlPediatricDental.com
Kelli Kalisik, afternoons spent with Senora Ralph practicing Kelli is a strong supporter of non-profit Melbourne Central for the Florida State Spanish Conference. organizations within the greater South Bend Catholic (MCC) “Senora was one of those teachers who was community. Most recently serving as vice Class of 1999, tough and pushed you to do better, but you president on the board of directors for Forever has always loved knew it was because she cared. She wanted to Learning Institute (FLI), an organization that learning. From see you achieve your full potential and was provides lifelong learning opportunities for her first day of supportive when you had done your best.” seniors in the community. “FLI is really an kindergarten, As president of the National Honor Society incredible organization. In its 45th year of through high (NHS), one of Kelli’s favorite activities existence, FLI offers more than 100 courses school and was coordinating volunteer service projects a semester that are taught by an all-volunteer college, and now with other members and adviser Sue Rauch. faculty. The organization provides senior with a career in “Participating in these activities reinforced the members of our community with intellectual higher education, need to be highly organized and prioritize my stimulation, social interaction, spiritual the pursuit of responsibilities. Developing these skills in high reflection, and physical activity.” scholarship remains school provided a framework for success in KELLI KALISIK an intrinsic part of her life. Although college and beyond.” Kelli has held positions on the board of directors for the Friends of the Snite Museum CLASS OF 1999 more than 20 years “MCC instilled in me strong values of of Art and the Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph have passed, she has community and servant leadership. The NHS Valley. Serving on the board of directors for often thought about the significant role MCC pillars of scholarship, leadership, service, and the Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley, played in her personal development, as well as character continue to guide me.” It is with these the third largest of 266 Notre Dame Clubs the lifelong friendships and lasting memories values in mind that Kelli has become a leader in worldwide, Kelli helped to award over $3 that were forged during these formative years. her profession and her community. million in undergraduate scholarships to local students during her 12-year tenure. She was “I am extremely grateful that my parents Kelli began her career at the University of Notre the 2015 recipient of the Notre Dame Club believed strongly in a faith-based education Dame in Academic Services for Student Athletes of St. Joseph Valley Award of the Year for her and provided me with exceptional before transitioning to a role in Audit and dedication and service to the club. opportunities.” Enrolling at MCC, Kelli knew Advisory Services. However, it wasn’t until Kelli she would be challenged in the classroom and entered the financial aid profession in 2010 that Kelli holds a bachelor’s degree in business surrounded by academic excellence. “I enjoyed she truly found meaning and connection in her administration from the University of Notre the learning environment at MCC. The small role and with the University’s mission. As senior Dame and a master’s in higher education classroom size and rigorous course offerings associate director of financial aid operations, administration from the University of meant I had the opportunity to fully engage in Kelli is involved in all aspects of the financial aid Michigan. Kelli resides in Granger, Indiana my education. Our teachers were dedicated to process. The University of Notre Dame meets with her husband, Rob Cole. In their spare our success and always available to help.” 100% of every student’s demonstrated financial time, they enjoy golfing, traveling, and Notre need, awarding $155 million in need-based Dame football. For Kelli, attending MCC was much more scholarships to undergraduate students. “The than just the academic preparation she would work of a financial aid professional is more receive. She knew MCC was committed to challenging and intellectually stimulating than the formation of the whole person – the you might imagine. But what is most rewarding mind, body, and spirit – and that was equally about this profession is helping students make as important as the learning that would take their dream of attending the University of Notre place in the classroom. As a Hustler, Kelli Dame a reality.” was a member of the volleyball and golf teams, as well as active in numerous clubs and As a financial aid professional, Kelli has honor societies. Kelli fondly recalls the many presented at national conferences and serves on various committees with College Board, an organization of more than 6,000 member institutions and organizations, dedicated to connecting students to college success and opportunity. “In working with College Board, I am able to represent the needs of the larger financial aid community as well as champion national initiatives related to access and equity in higher education.”
