Jan Thomas

Age: 58

Employer: Fort Wayne Dental Group

Month and year hired: January 1987

Current job title: Dental hygienist

First job with the employer: Dental hygienist

Most challenging job with the employer

: Thomas finds that discerning the needs of her patients is the most challenging aspect of her job – recognizing that each individual has different dental, emotional and financial needs. As a hygienist, Thomas recognizes the ability to make her patients feel comfortable in the dental environment.

Why the employee stayed so long: She developed such a good rapport with fellow employees and patients. The flexibility the practice offered also made raising a family possible.

Why the employee is an asset to the employer: Thomas is an asset to the practice because she is first and foremost committed to her patients and then to professionalism and knowledge of dentistry. Thomas’ accomplishments have been: past president of Isaac Knapp Dental Hygiene Association, Chairperson for Professional Development Committee for the State of Indiana, Started and implemented the sealant program for financially disadvantaged children for which she received the Outstanding Dental Hygienist for Community Service Award for the State Dental Hygiene Program.

Books currently reading: “In the Garden of Beasts” by Erik Larson

Hobbies, interests outside of work: Book club, working out, bicycling

How many years until employee retires: Thomas said she is “too young to even think about it.”

What the employee would like to be doing in retirement: Travel and volunteer work.