Michelle Parker likes to see people smile. As a dentist, she wants them to feel good about their smiles.
Parker is helping people do just that as a dentist with Trimble Dental in Menomonie.
A 2010 UW-Stout graduate, she joined the Trimble Dental staff in 2015 after graduating from University of Nebraska Medical Center, Lincoln, with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.
Parker earned a bachelor’s degree in applied science, predental, at UW-Stout. The program prepared her for applying to dental school, which she said was hard work. “If you really want something, you can achieve it. You just have to really work at it,” Parker said.
As a freshman in fall 2005, the River Falls native had no idea she would be a dentist 10 years later, working within walking distance of UW-Stout’s main campus in downtown Menomonie.
Starting as an undecided major she initially chose business administration, but after interning in an office setting she realized that what she really wanted was a career where she could work with people.
Bruce Trimble, DDS, believes Parker made the right career choice based in part on her interaction with patients. “It is fun to watch her with the patients,” he said.
Early in her academic career, Parker changed to applied science, predental, and as a sophomore began to intern off and on at Trimble Dental. The experience cemented her choice. She was able to see more of what a dentist does, and she liked what she saw.
A year into her career, she is happy about her choice. “Every day I get to see new faces and sometimes old, returning ones,” she said. “I like having the opportunity to build relationships with people.”
Parker and her husband, Jordan Buss, a 2008 UW-Stout graduate, live in Menomonie.
Through the applied science program, the university also offers preprofessional focuses on chiropractic, medical, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant and veterinary. Learn more at the B.S. Applied Science website.
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Michelle Parker takes a break at Trimble Dental in Menomonie, where she is a dentist.
