STAFF BIOGRAPHIES

Dr. Mirela Giurgiu, D.D.S., Acting Dental Director

Dr. Mirela Giurgiu joined Howard Dental Center in February of 2010 as Acting Dental Director. She graduated from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, School of Dentistry in Timisoara, Romania in 1998. After practicing in private practice in Romania for three years, Mirela moved with her family to the United States in 2001. They moved to Florida where Mirela worked as a dental assistant and a dental hygienist. Mirela and her family relocated to Colorado so that she could complete her studies to obtain a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS). Mirela graduated from the University of Colorado School of Dentistry International Student Program in December 2009.

Dr. Giurgiu’s professional goal is to work with underserved populations and is thrilled to have the opportunity to do just that at Howard Dental Center. Mirela, her husband and their two boys love living in Colorado with its beautiful scenery and outdoor opportunities.

Dr. Flaviu Oltean, D.D.S., Staff Dentist

Dr. Flaviu Oltean graduated from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine’s International Student Program in 2009. Originally from Romania, Flaviu practiced dentistry for three years in his home country. During that time, Flaviu was a resident in the GPR program in the Romanian military and had his own practice. After relocating to the United States, he worked for the University of Iowa in research and as a dental assistant. With that experience, Flaviu decided to return to school for his American Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree.

Flaviu’s experience with HIV and AIDS includes volunteering to treat institutionalized HIV positive children and other underserved populations while a dental student in Romania. Flaviu lives with his wife (who is a dental student) and their four-year-old son. His hobbies include traveling, skiing, hiking, fishing and reading.

David T. Zamboni, R.D.H., Dental Hygienist

David graduated from Community College of Denver in 1998 and has been a hygienist in private practice since then. He has extensive experience in soft tissue management programs. David has revamped our hygiene department in order to bring our patients to optimum oral health.

Mercy Diaz, EDDA, Chair-side Assistant

Mercy has been a dental assistant for over 30 years. She is fluent in Spanish. With her expanded-duties designation, Mercy is like having another 1/2 dentist!

Lydia Perez – Dental Assistant

Lydia graduated from Emily Griffith Opportunity School from the College of Health Sciences as a dental assistant in 2007. Her experience during a 2-month externship at Howard Dental Center, was educational as well as rewarding. Lydia wanted to give back to her community and liked the idea that Howard Dental is a nonprofit clinic benefitting the underserved. Because of her talents, she was offered a full time position after finishing the externship. Lydia enjoys working directly with patients and using her skills in assisting the dentists in chair-side procedures.

Jahida Didymus - Office Manager

Jahida, a Colorado native, has been an expanded duties dental assistant (EDDA) for 12 years. She graduated from Emily Griffith Opportunity School Dental Assisting Program in 1998, then received her Business Management degree from American Intercontinental University in 2008. Jahida's experience as a chair-side assistant enables her to know what is important in anticipating patient needs as well as managing the office. She looks forward to contributing to the improvement of the oral health of all of our patients, present and future.

Hazel Ann Harris - Medical Case Manager

Hazel is known as a longtime community activist. Her life purposes are to love, educate and serve. Hazel speaks to community groups, schools, and universities about human rights issues. Her extensive experience in program administration, case management, community outreach, and advocacy has enabled her to work with thousands of individuals from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

Hazel is passionate about HIV/AIDS work. As a case manager liaison, she facilitated communication and service coordination among Northern Colorado AIDS Project, Boulder County AIDS Project, and Beacon Clinic. She provided intensive and proactive case management in Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek and Gilpin counties.

Hazel received a BS from Knoxville College and a MAT from Smith College. She has held positions as a certified teacher, counselor, laboratory researcher and coordinator, and director of a learning center. Hazel is enthusiastic about working at Howard Dental Center, because it is a socially responsible agency of integrity and treats each patient with dignity.

Mary Salsich - Development Director

 
Mary has extensive experience in the nonprofit sector in addition to a varied career including therapeutic recreation, graphic and landscape design and real estate. She has worked in numerous Denver nonprofits developing, marketing and managing programs, implementing fundraising strategies and coordinating special events.

As a previous owner of a design firm, Mary parlayed her graphic design and marketing expertise to benefit the nonprofits with whom she has worked and volunteered. A graduate of the University of Colorado, she is currently working on her Master of Nonprofit Management from Regis University.

Ernest Duff, Executive Director

Ernie has worked for social change, social justice and human rights for over twenty-two years both at the grassroots and national levels. He first worked in New York with the homeless, mentally disabled and chronically ill, then in resettlement of political refugees and rehabilitation of torture victims. After moving to Berkeley, California, he headed up a national effort providing comprehensive services for exonerated former prisoners of the U.S. prison system.

In 2006, Ernie and his family relocated to Denver. He returned to torture treatment as Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Survivors Center. A minister and psychologist, Mr. Duff holds masters degrees from Yale University and the New School for Social Research. He lives with his wife and two daughters, and a dog in Centennial, Colorado.