Bite-Sized Chicago: A CDS Podcast

In this episode, staff members Amanda Lovell and Jessie Eisner-Kleyle discuss the new and improved CDS podcast, as well as what's new at the Chicago Dental Society, a recap of the 2026 Midwinter Meeting, and what's to come this year and beyond. You don't want to miss it!

In this episode, Rachel Schafer, Director of Marketing and Communications at CDS, chats with us about her tenure with the Chicago Dental Society, how communications have changed over time, and her secret to having a healthy work-life balance.

Longtime CDS staff member, Joanne Girardi, chats with us about her tenure with the Chicago Dental Society and how members and fellow staff members have become like family.

In this episode, we talk with CDS Secretary Dr. Victoria Ursitti about women in dentistry and the challenges she faced in her career.

In this episode, Dr. Scott Tomar, a professor at the University of Illinois Chicago's College of Dentistry, discusses the recent attacks on fluoridated water.

In this episode, we interview longtime Chicago Dental Society staffer, Lisa Girardi, who talks about our annual Midwinter Meeting.

In this episode, we talk with with Kristen Weber, Executive Director of the CDS Foundation, about the organization and its need for volunteer dentists. This podcast was recorded at the 2025 Midwinter Meeting.

In this episode, we take a look at the 2025 Midwinter Meeting and talk with CDS members Dr. William "Bill" Hamel, Dr. Kevin Patterson, and members of the dental hygienist community.

Dr. James Benz, the Director of the Dental Residency Program at Advocate Illinois Masonic Hospital in Chicago, talks about the program's new clinic and gives his opinion about how the dental and medical landscapes are shaping up.

Forensic Dentist Dr. Edward Pavlick talks with CDS Staff Writer Joseph DeRosier about his experiences working as the lead forensic dentist, where he helped identify victims of serial killer John Wayne Gacy and the 1979 American Airlines Flight 191 crash that killed 273 people near O'Hare International Airport.

Lindsay Wagahoff, Director of Governmental Relations at the Illinois State Dental Society, chats with CDS Staff Writer Joseph DeRosier on efforts in Springfield to help promote and protect the profession of dentistry.

Dr. Cheryl Mora, Director of Scientific Programs at the Chicago Dental Society, gives a sneak peek of the upcoming 2025 Midwinter Meeting.

In this episode, dental industry expert Robert Affleck talks with us about how younger dentists can become practice owners, and he gives some advice to dentists nearing the end of their career about selling their practice.

We talk with the Chicago Dental Society's New Dentist Representative on the Board of Directors, Dr. Sara Imtiaz, about her career journey and her suggestion for a permanent Board committee the focuses on early career member dentists.

Chicago Dental Society member Dr. William "Bill" Simon talks about his 40-year career, the power of mentorship and organized dentistry, and how those elements combined can help younger dentists.

The Chicago Dental Society's CEO, Heather Nash, looks back at her first year as the association's leader and talks with CDS Staff Writer Joseph DeRosier on what projects are possible in the future.

Joining us, we have Ben Frank from the Chicago office of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Chicago) on some of the stressors experienced by those in the dental profession, the signs that intervention might be needed, and what steps to take to get help for yourself or for others.

Dr. Bryan Laskin takes time during the 2024 Midwinter Meeting in Chicago to discuss his take on the future of dentistry, how AI is shaping that future, and offers some different views from Episode 7's guest. This is the second episode of a two-part series, so we hope you'll listen to both!

In this episode, CDS is on-site inside the Podcast Lounge at the 2024 Midwinter Meeting. Staff Writer Joseph DeRosier talks with VideaHealth CEO, Florian Hillen, about the impact of AI in dentistry. This is the first episode of a two-part special series. In the next episode, we'll talk with Dr. Bryan Laskin and get his take on the subject.

In this episode, we talk with Geoffrey Baer, WTTW TV personality and the Keynote Speaker at the 2024 Midwinter Meeting, which is set for Feb. 22 - 24 at McCormick Place West in Chicago.

In this episode, we talk with CDS Membership Committee Chairman, Dr. Ben Youel, on the relationship of younger dentists to the Midwinter Meeting and organized dentistry in general.

CDS Staff Writer Joseph DeRosier talks with financial fraud expert and frequent Midwinter Meeting speaker, Susan Gunn. Learn how dental professionals can prevent themselves from being victims of embezzlement and what to do if you suspect a crime has already taken place.

Dr. Cheryl Mora, CDS Director of Scientific Programs, gives us a sneak peek into some of the outstanding features of the 2024 Midwinter Meeting, planned for Feb. 22-24 in Chicago.

In this episode, we talk with UIC College of Dentistry administrator and educator Dr. Darryl Pendleton about diversity in dental school and the future of dental education.

In this episode, CDS Staff Writer Joseph DeRosier sits down with management expert David Burkus. He gives us his insight into hiring and employment challenges facing the dental industry.