Five questions, five answers from women who make a difference
Dr. Barb Mousel
Who do you credit as your mentor? In Illinois, my first mentors were Eleanor Bushee, Jane Selbe, Elaine Stuebner, and Jackie Cresswell. Jackie gave me my first job as a first-year dental student. It was to organize a meeting at Loyola Dental School. Nationally, Kathy Kell, June Warren Lee, and Gerri Napierski walked beside me as I negotiated through the organization. Kathy Kell asked me to be the finance chairwoman for AAWD, and I was successful and still use the skills I learned.
What do you think is your greatest strength and worst weakness? How have they helped you? I work hard and finish the tasks I take on. My weakness is not saying no to multiple projects, and I talk too much. Oddly enough, the talking gets people to ask you to do stuff.
If you were to create a book liner jacket for yourself, what would you write? “The author lives and works in Chicago. She has worked as a certified assistant, registered hygienist, and dentist, and is currently in private practice. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Chicago Dental Society, is chairwoman of the Illinois State Board of Dentistry, and secretary-treasurer for the Illinois section of the American College of Dentists. Dr. Mousel is a past president of AAWD and an examiner for CRDTS and NERB.”
What three words describe you? Outgoing, enthusiastic, determined.
What would be your message to dentists of the future? You have chosen a wonderful, fulfilling profession that will enrich your life in many ways. It will provide you with gifts that you have yet to imagine. It will keep your spirit alive and growing each day.
