The Smiles Movement
Peggy Pendleton
Every good team has a quarterback, and The Smiles Movement looks to the man who founded this practice over 30 years ago, Dr. Jim Hisrich. He is a native Ohio guy with a deep abiding love for the Buckeyes! He went to dental school at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, and did a general practice residency in Seattle.
His first career was with the Indian Health Service, where he served six years, and was The Chief Dental Officer on the Navajo reservation at Tuba City. He transferred to the Portland area, where he met his wife, Cindy, who was the Nurse Practitioner at the Chemawa Clinic. When she moved to Arizona to go to graduate school, he also returned to Arizona and purchased a private practice, but after a number of years, he longed for the life he had once known working on the reservation.
He sold his practice and founded The Smiles Movement. Realizing the tremendous need for dental care among the children, he developed his mobile practice and realized this was more than a career; it is a vocation.
After a motorcycle accident, Dr. Hisrich no longer actively practices, but he is our quarterback and spends a considerable amount of time on the reservation maintaining quality control for the amazing organization he has created. He is very proud that The Smiles Movement is the only mobile dental practice recognized by the National Health Service Corps. He enjoys a close relationship with everyone on the staff and maintains close contacts with the Indian Health Service and the communities that The Smiles Movement serves.
Selina West
Cindy Hisrich has been married to Dr. Jim Hisrich for 38 years, and she is the biological mother of four children and one adopted child. Her primary career was that of a nurse practitioner. She went to undergraduate school in Colorado, and to graduate school in Tucson, Arizona. She met her husband, Jim, when he was the dentist at Chemawa, a large Native American boarding school, and she was the nurse practitioner.
She retired from her nursing career and assumed the responsibilities of managing The Smiles Movement twenty years ago. Her love for the children and affection for the members of the communities we serve stole her heart away from nursing. She is also a self-confessed fry bread addict, who can’t refuse an “Indian Taco” or fry bread with honey.
Her children are grown, and although she has three grandchildren, she loves to visit the dental units and interact with our young patients. Each time a young adult remembers Dr. Hisrich and her from the early days as “their dentist”, she flashes back to the memories of the formative years, and she can’t believe 30 years went by so quickly. She is also convinced this is not just a career, it is a vocation.
Dr. James Hisrich
Peggy Pendleton has been with The Smiles Movement for fifteen years, and has a remarkable knowledge of the practice that she utilizes daily. She is the go-to person for scheduling, getting the rosters out, and interfacing with the dentists and the schools they serve. She is instrumental in troubleshooting anything from scheduling issues to payroll.
She originally hails from the state of Utah, but has made Arizona her home for over thirty years. Outside the office, she enjoys horseback riding, hiking with her faithful canine companion, and spending time in Alaska during the summer.
Everyone enjoys Peggy’s soft spoken manner and her amazing sense of humor.
Meet the Administration!
Cindy Hisrich
Serving communities for over 25 years
Selina West has been with The Smiles Movement going on six years and she brings a variety of talents to the table. She has years of experience in dental offices, both in the front office and as a dental assistant. Her expertise in billing, dental assisting, dental supplies, and dental equipment make her an extremely well-rounded team member. We especially appreciate her flexibility and willingness to perform whatever duties are necessary, including trips to the reservation.
Selina is a very innovative person who comes up with great ideas. She enjoys her contact with the dentists and our dental assisting team.
Selina enjoys spending time with her five grandchildren, cooking, and traveling and exploring the beautiful state of Arizona.