Julie is a registered dental hygienist from Checotah, Oklahoma and a member of the Cherokee Nation. She attended Oklahoma State University where she earned her undergraduate degree in career and technical education and Tulsa Community College where she studied dental hygiene. In 2009, she moved to Katy, Texas when a job opportunity became available for her husband. While in Texas, she obtained her master’s degree in allied health education and administration from the University of Houston. She has practiced clinical dental hygiene in general and periodontal practice settings for over six years. She served as an instructor at Houston Community College teaching clinical dental hygiene, community dentistry, and dental hygiene care for three years. Cumulatively, she has over 15 years’ experience in the dental field.
At Southern Plains Tribal Health Board (SPTHB), Julie serves as the clinical trials coordinator for the Oklahoma Shared Clinical and Translation Resources Grant as well as the planning committee co-chair for the SPTHB/ Oklahoma Area Tribal Epidemiology Center Tribal Public Health Conference. She also serves as a grassroots representative for Oklahoma through DentaQuest Foundation’s Oral Health 2020 For All Initiative.
Julie lives in Edmond, Oklahoma with her husband Ray and son Miles. She enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, music, collecting vinyl records, and being outdoors.