Ms. Deesha Bhaumi Related Seminars and Products

Deesha Bhaumik, PhD, MS, is the Senior Health Policy Analyst at the Health Policy Institute (HPI) of the American Dental Association. Before joining HPI, she obtained her PhD. from the University of Michigan in Epidemiology and her MS in Biostatistics. At HPI, she leads both research and advocacy for various projects focused on dental policy. She is responsible for both quantitative and qualitative analysis. She keeps HPI informed and up to date on new oral health policy issues, particularly in Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act.

Mr. Ian Hedges Related Seminars and Products

Mr. Ian Hedges has served as the Director of Medicaid and Medicare Program Policy at the American Dental Association (ADA) since November 2023. Before his work at theADA , Ian served as the CEO of one of the largest free and charitable clinics in Wisconsin. In this role, he actively advocated for higher Medicaid dental reimbursement and student loan reimbursement for safety-net clinic dentists at the state level. In 2022, Ian also opened a brand new seven-chair safety-net dental clinic that included services for individuals with developmental disabilities. In 2023, he was awarded the Wisconsin Dental Association’s Pyramid of Pride Award for Community Outreach.

Mr. Jose Jimenez Related Seminars and Products

Mr. Jose Jimenez has served as the Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Professional and Ancillary Services (BPAS) Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) since June 2020. BPAS is responsible for many aspects of the administration of the Illinois Medicaid program for products and services provided by institutional, non-institutional providers, pharmacy, dental, DME, and transportation programs.

Jose came on board at the beginning of the COVID-19 public health emergency. Before BPAS, he managed sections of the Illinois Department on Aging. As the Supervisor for the Office of the Older American Act Services, Jose managed numerous grants and programs and oversaw a budget of approximately $100,000,000. Jose also served as the Division Manager for the Home and Community-Based Services for approximately four years. He represented the Department on Aging with public organizations, legislation, and regulatory agencies to ensure quality and compliance for the elder population in Illinois.

Jose received his bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Robert Morris University where he was also a star athlete on the soccer field. Jose and his wife, Sara, live in Springfield with their nine-year-old twin sons, Augie and Charlie, and their 6-month-old Aussiedoodle, Joy (JoJo).

Dr. Lisa Kearney Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Lisa Kearney graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, with a bachelor's degree in Molecular Biology. She then attended the University of Illinois College of Dentistry, where she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Dr. Kearney joined Erie Family Health Centers in March of 2007 and became the Clinical Director of Oral Health at Erie in August 2012. In this role, Dr. Kearney drives the clinical vision of the Oral Health Program at Erie. She strongly believes that healthcare is a human right and supports Erie’s mission to provide quality, affordable care to support healthier people, family, and communities.

Dr. Kearney is an adjunct faculty member of the University of Illinois, College of Dentistry, and enjoys working with the UIC dental students. Dr. Kearney serves on the Board for the National Network for Oral Health Access (NNOHA) and is a participant in the Policy and Advocacy and the Quality Committees for NNOHA. She is a member of the American Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society, and Illinois Primary Health Care Association, and serves on the Illinois State Dental Society’s Access to Care Committee. Dr. Kearney is a recipient of the Erie Family Health Centers Golden Toothbrush Award and the NNOHA John McFarland Leadership Award.

In her free time, Dr. Kearney enjoys running, biking, reading and spending time with her husband and two girls.

Dr. Katie Kosten Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Kosten is a native of southern Illinois and graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Biological Sciences from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2002. After graduation, she became a high school chemistry teacher and coach at Edwardsville High School. Knowing she still had a desire to pursue a career in healthcare, Dr. Kosten returned to dental school and graduated summa cum laude with her DMD degree from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in 2009. Early in her career, Dr. Kosten served as the dental director for a non-profit pediatric dental clinic while continuing to treat patients in private general practice. In 2016, she returned to SIU School of Dental Medicine as faculty, where she currently serves as the Director of Community Dentistry and Clinical Assistant Professor. She is in private practice at Foley Dental Group in Glen Carbon, IL and Baines Dental Wellness in Springfield, IL, both of which are complete health practices where she treats adults and children. Most recently, Dr. Kosten committed to furthering her knowledge in the area of nutrition and complete health by graduating from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in 2025.

Dr. Kosten is a member of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, and is a past-president of the Madison District Dental Society. She previously served on the ADA’s Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention. She is a member of the honorary dental fraternity Omicron Kappa Upsilon and was the recipient of the Illinois State Dental Society's 2017 William J. Greek Memorial Leadership Award. Dr. Kosten has been selected as a fellow of the American College of Dentists, the International College of Dentists, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.

Dr. Sharon Molitoris Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Sharon Molitoris is the Chief Dental Officer for the SIU Center for Family Medicine FQHC. She has practiced as a public health dentist since 2009 when she graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry. After graduation, she worked for three years with the Indian Health Service in Gallup, NM. In 2012, Sharon returned to central Illinois where she had attended undergrad at Illinois Wesleyan University and worked for the Logan County Department of Public Health’s dental clinic which was acquired by the SIU School of Medicine in 2015. Since that time, she has served as the Dental Director and now the Chief Dental Officer, overseeing their four dental sites in Quincy, Pittsfield, Lincoln, and Springfield, Illinois.

Dr. Molitoris has been a member of the Illinois State Dental Society since 2012 and has served as a committee member and most currently the chairperson of the Access to Care Committee. She is also an active member of the McLean County Dental Society and was awarded the Steve Doran President’s Award in 2021. In her free time, Sharon enjoys spending time with her husband Dustin and two daughters, vacationing and spending their summer weekends boating on Lake Shelbyville

Dr. Haritha Nallaparaju Related Seminars and Products

Dr. Haritha Nallaparaju is a general dentist working in public health dentistry. Her mission is to bring compassionate, accessible, and comprehensive oral care to underserved communities.

Haritha obtained her Master of Science degree in Oral Biology before earning her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree from Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in New Jersey. She is also an internationally trained dentist, holding a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree from India. She is an active member of several American dental organizations, including the American Dental Association.

When she’s not serving patients in the clinic, she is an avid book lover, passionate traveler, and dedicated yoga enthusiast. She also enjoys spending time outdoors and engaging in recreational activities that promote health and well-being.

Ms. Kelly Pulliam Related Seminars and Products

Ms. Kelly Pulliam is the Senior Public Service Administrator – for the Dental and Transportation Programs at HFS.

Kelly’s previous roles include Director of Provider Relations and Provider Field Representative at companies such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Dataquest, Avesis, and Liberty Dental Plan.

Over the past 23 years, she’s worked directly with plans and providers in the commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare insurance industries for both dental and medical.

Since 2007, Kelly has been learning the ins and outs of Illinois’ Medicaid Dental Program and is eager to answer any questions that may come up.