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August 21, 2007

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By Kristen Wright, Associate Editor

When dentists retire from practicing, they often say they'll miss their patients. We hardly hear anyone, however, say that they'll miss the Savage beasts. But then again, Dr. Rhonda Savage has treated polar bears, monkeys, and lemurs. There was also an agreeable aardvark, a splendid snow leopard, and a weighty walrus at 3,700 pounds.

The volunteer dentist for eight years at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, Wash., has also owned two practices for people patients.

"I practiced in Gig Harbor, Washington, until February 28 of this year," Dr. Savage said. "Then I had my third rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder. I am no longer able to practice clinical dentistry. In April, I contacted Linda Miles and became the CEO of Linda Miles and Associates in July."

One of Dr. Savage's goals is to be an internationally renowned dental consultant and speaker.

"I've known Linda for many years and had one of her consultants, Char Sweeney, work in my first practice in 1993 to '94," she said. "I want to continue the legacy of Linda L. Miles and Associates. I want to be a positive influence and facilitate changes in dental practices that will make dentists' lives less stressful, more organized, more profitable, and lots of fun."

Dr. Savage and her husband of 10 years, electrical engineer Jim Stephens, own 25 percent of the 20,000-square-foot building that houses her former dental office. Her office was 2,800 square feet with 1,400 active patients. The building's co-owners are Dr. Lisa Block, a pedodontist; Dr. Joe Bordeaux, an orthodontist; and contractor Gordon Rush.

Before Dr. Savage entered dentistry, she worked typical high school jobs in Ketchikan, Alaska. She babysat, cleaned houses, worked as a waitress and short-order cook, and also spent two summers in a salmon cannery. At 17, she began as a dental assistant. At 20, she transitioned to a dental office administrator before leaving for college at age 22.

"After being a dental assistant for four years and a front office person for two years, I found I really loved working with patients," she said. "I liked learning something new every single day. After five years, though, I was starting to get a little bored and knew I wanted to do more with my life, especially in the field of dentistry."

She said that it might surprise people that she wasn't a good student during her first two years in high school.

"When I went to college, I had to relearn all my math and science," she said. "The first year of college and the first year of dental school pretty much sets your grade-point average as you accumulate so many credits that it's difficult to change your grade point."

She advises women entering college and dental school to work "really, really hard" during those early years.

"College and dental school are about your determination to jump the hurdles set in front of you," she said. "Sometimes the big picture is scary. Just focus on the hurdle in front of you, jump it, and move on."

Despite her initial academic trouble, Dr. Savage graduated summa cum laude from Seattle University in 1985 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. In 1989, she graduated with honors from the University of Washington School of Dentistry.

"I entered the U.S. Navy right out of dental school and had rotations in oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics," she said. "I worked one on one with the specialists in each of these fields. I was active duty during Desert Shield/Desert Storm and spent my last year with the Marine Corp in Camp Pendleton, California."

After that, Dr. Savage opened her first practice. She practiced 13 years in University Place, Wash., before selling in 2003. That's when she built her most recent office. Her retirement from the clinical side of dentistry, however, doesn't mean she'll slow down. She's the president of the Washington State Dental Association, which has 3,800 members.

Her other leadership positions include having been the first female president of the 114-year-old Pierce County Dental Society, an American Dental Association delegate, and a member of the Board of Directors for the Washington Oral Health Foundation.

Dr. Savage serves on the executive committee of the PRECEDENT Research group, supported by an NIH grant to develop and implement clinical research into general dental practices.

This summer, she began her first year on the admissions committee for the University of Washington School of Dentistry.

"I've been an affiliate clinical restorative faculty member for the third- and fourth-year students at the UW SOD for many years but have not been teaching for the past four years because of my time commitments with the WSDA," Dr. Savage said. "In my community, my home was on the Gig Harbor Garden Tour to raise money for adult literacy. Several weeks ago, I gave a talk on leadership at the Gig Harbor High School. I've also been involved in the local Chamber of Commerce and I've supported a Little League team for 10 years."

When she's not a work, Dr. Savage enjoys all the water perks of living on Puget Sound, plus gardening, reading, playing the piano, and watching her 16-year-old daughter, Kaitlyn, play soccer.

"She is an excellent student and a terrific soccer player. She's a talented goalkeeper and hopes to play college ball," Dr. Savage said. "Jim has two grown sons — both married — and three grandchildren."

Dr. Savage's most prized accomplishment is being a mother to a beautiful daughter, she said.

"A close second is my marriage to Jim," she said, "and third is the honor of being the president for the Washington State Dental Association."

Get to Know Her!

What are you reading? I'm reading multiple books, always. Right now, I'm reading Sidney Poitier's "The Measure of a Man," James Bradley's "Flags of our Fathers," and "The Marketing Gurus" by Chris Murray.

Favorite Web site? www.entrezpubmed.com gives me the latest publications in dentistry.

Favorite comfort food? Chicken, mashed potatoes, and apple pie!

Favorite hometown restaurant? The Green Turtle Restaurant in Gig Harbor, Washington: seafood linguine with a white sauce

Who would you interview? Eleanor Roosevelt. She was a powerful, confident yet humble woman of great influence. At her memorial service, Adlai Stevenson asked, "What other single human being has touched and transformed the existence of so many?" Stevenson also said that Roosevelt was someone "who would rather light a candle than curse the darkness."

Favorite vacation spot? My home. It's on the Puget Sound with no bank waterfront with a sandy beach and a swimming pool just feet away from the saltwater.

Where do you go to escape? Down to the water and out on the dock.

How long have you been a member of AAWD? Several years. I was a member many years ago after graduating from school. I rejoined after meeting Dr. Stephanie Houseman, your incoming president. I've always been a tremendous supporter of women in dentistry, which is the mission of AAWD.

What are you known for? I'm known for honesty and directness. I'm hard-working, ethical, fun, and have a positive attitude toward life in general and in my dental practice.

E-mail Dr. Savage:
rsavage@harbornet.com

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