Tammy Hines followed an unusual path to her career in the field of dentistry.
Two decades ago, Tammy was a stay-at-home mom with two kids and a neighbor who began taking dental-assistant classes in Adrian. Tammy agreed to accompany her neighbor to class and quickly made a discovery.
“I got real interested in dentistry,” said Tammy, a Vandercook Lake resident who works as a dental assistant for the Center for Family Health. “I like smiles.”
After becoming certified in radiation and taking x-rays, Tammy worked for several years as an assistant in a private dentistry practice. Thirteen years ago, she took a job at the Center for Family Health, and she has never regretted moving to a community health center.
“It makes you feel good to go home at the end of the day and know you did something good for someone,” she said.
Tammy works at the Northeast Health Center, a school health center where many patients are children. “We take kids from the classroom to help parents who are not able to bring them to a dentist,” Tammy said. “You get really close to your patients and the parents.”
Michelle McCormick, School Health Center Manager for CFH, said Tammy listens to patients and tries to line up resources or services if they have needs beyond dentistry.
“Tammy is an excellent dental assistant, and she is always so helpful and friendly,” said Michelle. “She wants to make sure patients are connected to the resources they need and she will go the extra mile to make sure she can help them get connected. “
Away from work, Tammy loves to crochet, especially blankets for her two grandchildren. She is married and the mother of a police officer in North Carolina and a registered nurse in Grand Rapids.
Tammy is proud to be part of a team whose mission is to open doors to health care for all.
“I’m just one person, but I work with awesome people,” Tammy said. “We all look out for each other and we’re all on the same page: We want to help others. That’s why I love it here.”
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