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Going Places. Here at Home: Jessica Wilke

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Dr. Jessica Wilke

This is one in a series of articles highlighting the latest generation of innovators making a difference in our communities.

 


Dentist finds fulfilling career and personal connections in rural setting

 

By Audrey Posten, Times-Register

 

Growing up in Monona with well-known local dentist Dr. Mark Fohey as her dad, Dr. Jessica Wilke admitted a career in dentistry was always at the back of her mind. But it wasn’t until her undergraduate time at the University of Northern Iowa, where she discovered business courses weren’t as fulfilling as she hoped, that she took a serious look at the profession.

 

“One of those early summers I came back, I worked for the [Family Dentistry Associates of Monona] office, just doing stuff up front. The thought was, ‘I’m going to work there and get some business experience,’” Wilke shared. “Then I found myself being more interested in the clinical portion of it. It just struck me: ‘This is what I want to be doing.’”

 

Wilke finished up her business major—as well as a biology major—before moving on to dental school at the University of Iowa. She graduated in June 2014 and moved back to Monona not long after.

 

“My husband Jake and I were like, ‘Do we go somewhere else and have an adventure first and then come back?’” she recalled. “But when I started to think dentistry was what I wanted to do, part of that draw was that I wanted to come back to this area, near my family. I really liked my upbringing here and wanted to raise a family in that similar environment. This was a job I knew I could have a good, big career but still live that small-town lifestyle.”

 

Now, nearly seven years later, Wilke doesn’t regret the decision. The 33 year old splits her time between the Family Dentistry Associates of Monona and Waukon Dental offices, encountering something new every day.

 

“New cases come up, and there are always surprises. I just love dentistry,” she said. “It resonates with me.”

 

Wilke described her career as a combination of art and science.

 

“I get to use my science knowledge and my brain, but it’s also a lot of hands-on and building things—fixing teeth—and making things look really nice,” she said. “Aesthetic or front tooth cases are probably my favorite thing to do.”

 

Getting to perform a wide variety of procedures and provide full care are among the advantages of rural dentistry, Wilke noted.

 

“Cities tend to get so saturated. There are so many dentists and so many specialists,” she said. “Here, we get to do more.”

 

“This office is also unique versus some rural offices in that we’ve really stayed on the cusp of the newest technology and kept up with modern techniques and equipment,” she added. “Even in the time I’ve been here, we’ve upgraded technology and I’ve learned new things I didn’t know in dental school.”

 

Those aren’t the only advantages. Wilke said being familiar with the community has made it easier to build a practice and develop relationships. Although she and her dad don’t actually work in the same office at the same time, he’s also been a key resource for advice as well as knowledge about the business side of the dental practice.

 

“I came out of dental school knowing how to be a dentist and that’s really good,” Wilke said, “but I really didn’t know a lot about all the extras like running the business and how you manage staff and insurance and scheduling. He’s really kept me involved in the decision making.”

 

Wilke intends to someday be an owner in the practice, a goal she’s working toward now. 

 

“That will be exciting to step into that realm. I’m more than ready for it,” she remarked.

 

Rural dentistry has allowed Wilke to become more involved in the community too. She’s served on the Monona Chamber and Economic Development, Inc. Board since 2016, has been involved with the Monona Community Visioning Committee and helped plan and fundraise for several projects, including planter boxes and street banners in the city’s downtown as well as a playground at Gateway Park.

 

“It’s been a good way to learn more about the community, and it’s nice to get to know other business people in town and know what’s going on with new businesses,” she shared.

 

Returning to the community after living in cities has given Wilke a new perspective on her roots.

 

“It’s different seeing things as an adult and as a working person, versus how you saw it as a teenager. Now, having kids and working here longer, it’s even different than how I saw it 6.5 years ago. You get into a different role,” she said. “I have two little kids, so I spend a lot of time hanging out with them. We go to the parks and on the trails, and it’s safe. I really appreciate that as an adult more than I would have as a teenager.”

 

“MFL MarMac is also a cool school,” Wilke added. “Big enough that we are competitive in things, but small enough you can really be in any activity and get to know people. Looking back on my own upbringing here, I think my favorite thing was that I go to do everything: sports, music, theater, student council. I’m really excited for my kids to get to have that experience too.”

 

She hopes other northeast Iowa natives—or transplants—see those same benefits. 

 

“I think people get this idea, especially when you go away for awhile, that the city is so awesome because there’s so much to do,” Wilke said. “That is true to an extent, but I don’t miss the chaos and strangers everywhere.”

 

Many local small towns have pushed to keep growing, adapting businesses and creating jobs for young professionals. Wilke said that offers the best of both worlds, giving people not only good careers but more secure, quieter family lives too. 

 

“And we’re certainly not lacking for things to do either,” she quipped. “What would we do differently if we lived in the city? Probably nothing, except I’d sit in my car in traffic for a lot longer. We also might not know as many people as we do, because you get to know the community more in a small town like this.”

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