Steering Committee
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Guided by leaders across New York
Our steering committee brings together dental professionals, public health experts and community advocates from every region of the state - as of April 2026
Sherilee Callahan, RDA, BS, MPH Consumer/Advocate
Trina Rose Cutugno, BCPA
Consumer/Advocate
Sangeeta Gajendra, DDS, MPH, MS Chair Community Dentistry Eastman Institute
Michelle Kisiel-Cohen, DMD, MPH Director Medicaid Policy, NYSDOH, Office of Health Insurance Programs
Beth Krueger
Executive Director, NY Dental Hygienist's Association
Sally Lewis, CDA, RDH, MSDH, DHSc
Director of Oral Health Programs, HealthEfficient
Anthony Mendicino Jr., DDS
Chief Dental Officer, Finger Lakes Community Health
David Tepel, DMD
Director Oral Health Programs NYC DOH
Barbie Vartanian DePonte, BBA Director, Oral Health Advocacy and Policy, NYU College of Dentistry
Bridget Walsh
Senior Policy Manager, Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy
Melissa Wendland
Director Strategic Initiatives, Common Ground Health/FLPPS