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Everyone all smiles over completion of dental clinic
Nevada Daily Mail
From the time the Smiles Clinic was just an idea in his wife's mind, to the time when the hollowed-out Tweten Building was acquired, to now, when all that is left to do is roll out some insulation over the suspended ceiling, Don Nelson has been there ready to do whatever was needed to see Denise's idea become a reality.
While presenting Nelson a plaque of appreciation on Thursday, Ann Carlos, executive director of Area Community Health Emissaries, the organization that runs the Smiles Clinic and three other Medicaid approved dental clinics like it said no matter what happens in the other clinics, she doesn't have to worry about Nevada.
"I don't know what we'd do without him." Carlos said of Nelson. "No matter what we need, Don will take care of it."
Nelson, who is retired from 3M, acted kind of like the contractor for the job, which began in May of 2010 after enough donations to acquire a building and begin building a dental clinic were finally raised. He did much of the work himself with volunteer labor, but hired out critical services like electrical, plumbing and some drywall work.
Nelson put hundreds of hours of his own time into the construction and more than a little of his own money into the project. As a 3M retiree, Nelson qualifies for a funding match, meaning 3M will donate $250 to a charity for every 25 hours of time donated by the employee.
Nelson figured his hours of service at the clinic resulted in more than $1,000 in cash donations from 3M.
"if I could do the work and get them some money, it's a good thing," Nelson said.
What Nelson helped create is a fully functional dental facility with four separate procedure rooms. The clinic is the only facility for 50 miles in any direction that will see Medicaid patients. Other Smiles Clinics are in Neosho, Carthage and Anderson.
Dr. Bob Couch sees many of the more than 300 monthly patients. He, too, has been at the clinic since the beginning. Couch said he considers Nelson "my friend."
What started out to be a clinic for low income children has metamorphosed into a clinic that sees children and adults and takes a variety of payments including Medicaid and other forms of coverage. The Smiles Clinic has two dentists on staff and employs six assistants and administrative personnel.
"This whole place wouldn't be here without him," said Nelson's wife, Denise, who called him "my partner" and expressed great pride in what he had done to make her idea become a reality.
For Nelson, that part was easy.
"It was kind of fun" he said, noting that he's going to miss being there.
His plaque "will go in a place of honor" in the couple's new home when they move to Tulsa in a couple of weeks.
Nelson said he will give a heads up to a couple of friends who may be willing to fill in for him and help with some of those little bugaboo problems after he leaves.
The plaque doesn't quite thank Nelson enough, Carlos said.
"There's nothing we could do to thank you enough for what you've done here," she added.