Michael LeBlanc (D.D.S. '03, PEDO '05)
President, Dental Alumni Association
Originally from El Paso, Texas, Michael LeBlanc graduated from UMKC with his D.D.S. in 2003. LeBlanc went on to complete a two-year pediatric dental residency at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. He was very active in dental school, both academically and clinically. In 2003, he received the Pierre Fauchard Award for Clinical Excellence as well as the prestigious Arthur Iwersen Award for Excellence in Pediatric Dentistry.
LeBlanc is board-certified, a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society, former president of the local Fifth District Dental Society and former chair of the ADA New Dentist Committee. He is also a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, a member of the American Dental Association and a member of the Kansas Dental Association. He is fluent in Spanish and has volunteered with various dental missions in Venezuela and Mexico. Locally, he has participated in volunteer events for the TeamSmile organization and the Kansas Special Olympics.
LeBlanc practices in Prairie Village, Kansas, at LeBlanc and Associates Dentistry for Children. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth. They stay busy with their daughter, Mia, and son, Aidan. LeBlanc is looking forward to his term as president of the UMKC Dental Alumni Association.
AlexMarie Gomez (B.S.D.H. '22)
President, Dental Hygienists' Alumni Association
AlexMarie Gomez was raised in a small town in Southwest Kansas. She entered the field of dentistry in 2014, spending six years working as a CDA before returning to college to pursue her bachelor's in dental hygiene. While at UMKC, Gomez served as the Dental Hygienists' Alumni Association (DHAA) student liaison where she first recognized the importance and power of a strong alumni organization. Since her graduation in 2022, Gomez has worked full time in both general dentistry and periodontal specialty private practices.
"I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be part of the UMKC DHAA, first as a student and now as president of the organization," Gomez said. "It has been inspiring to see the life changing work this organization has done through awarding scholarships to students, calling public attention to matters of concern in the dental profession and providing a supportive and collaborative forum for UMKC dental hygienists, past, present and future. I will continue to work toward maintaining a vibrant DHAA board and welcome any interested alumni to contact me for information about the various ways to serve."
Crystal Walker (D.D.S. '04, PEDO '06)
Chair, Dr. Roy J. Rinehart Foundation
Crystal Walker grew up in Northwest Arkansas, where she realized she wanted to be a pediatric dentist in the sixth grade. She graduated from UMKC in 2004 with her D.D.S. and immediately began her pediatric residency. Walker made her home in Wichita, Kansas, where she currently lives with her family and owns a pediatric dental practice.
Beyond her clinical practice, Walker is actively involved in several professional organizations. She is a fellow of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy, all prestigious honors.
Walker is also engaged in broader dental and health-care communities as an associate member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and active member of the American Dental Association, Kansas Dental Association, Wichita District Dental Society and Southwest Society of Pediatric Dentists.
Walker served as a Rinehart board member for seven years before starting her term as chair. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge along with a passion for service.