09 Jun
by Derrick Vander Waal
SIOUX CENTER – Dr. Kenneth F. Tjeerdsma desired the opportunity to return to northwest Iowa where he grew up to serve patients.
SIOUX CENTER – Dr. Kenneth F. Tjeerdsma desired the opportunity to return to northwest Iowa where he grew up to serve patients.
Dr. Kenneth Tjeerdsma |
He will get that chance.
Dr. Tjeerdsma will serve as the new dentist and dental director at Promise Community Health Center in Sioux Center. His tentative start date is July 1.
He is excited for the opportunity.
“The people at Promise Community Health Center are very friendly and welcoming and care about meeting the medical and dental needs of those in Sioux County and beyond, particularly those who are underserved,” he said.
Dr. Tjeerdsma graduated Siouxland Community Christian School in Sioux City as the valedictorian in 2006. He earned his bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Creighton University in Omaha, NE, in 2010. He completed his dental training at Creighton University Dental School in May.
Here are his reflections as he prepares for his role at Promise:
Q: How did you originally become interested in going into the dentistry field?
A: I remember looking at different professions and the kind of traits that would be needed to do well each one. I thought that my temperament and skill set fit dentistry, and after shadowing a few dentists, I was excited about the idea of becoming one.
Q: What particular aspect of dentistry interest you the most?
A: I enjoy interacting with patients and educating them about proper dental care while serving their dental needs.
Q: What are you most looking forward to as you start your dentistry career?
A: I look forward to practicing everything that I’ve learned in dental school in a real world setting.
Q: What are your overall thoughts about starting your dental career at Promise CHC?
A: I think that Promise CHC is a good place to start. Promise has solid leadership and will allow me to gain more experience in management skills as well as honing my dental abilities.
Q: What do you hope you can bring to Promise CHC?
A: I hope to bring high-quality dental care along with a good work ethic and a positive attitude.
Promise Community Health Center, headquartered in Sioux Center, is the only Federally Qualified Health Center in the far northwest corner of Iowa. To learn more, visit www.promisechc.org.
MORE ABOUT DR. TJEERDSMA
Dr. Kenneth F. Tjeerdsma is the son of the late Dr. Kenneth A. Tjeerdsma and Melissa Tjeerdsma of Sioux City. He has an older brother, John, of Tulsa, OK; a younger sister, Elizabeth, of Sioux City; and a younger brother, William, who will be enrolling at Dordt College in Sioux Center in the fall.
He enjoys following sports, politics and current events and is an active member in his church, Cornerstone World Outreach in Sioux City.
He plans to relocate to Sioux County as he begins his dental practice.