Worcester Business Journal

36 Worcester Business Journal | August 16, 2021 | wbjournal.com At 28 years old, Susienka opened her own dentistry practice, which now four years later has more than 1,300 active patients. Dedicated to providing family-oriented, comprehensive dental care, she has grown her practice by 30% over the past two years and hired a second dentist, despite being fully closed for almost three months during the pandemic. Susienka focuses an immense amount of energy toward advancing her training in complex rehabilitative and cosmetic dentistry to serve patients with challenging dental needs, such as missing and badly worn teeth. She has averaged more than 100 hours continuing her education annually. She was awarded a fellowship in the American Academy of General Dentistry last year, which requires 500 hours of continuing education and an exhaustive half-day examination, and is an honor shared with only 6% of dentists nationwide. As a small business owner who has spent 11 years in Central Mass., Susienka's practice sponsored the Cory's Crusaders 5K to fight childhood cancer, supported the Grafton Police Association's annual basketball tournament, and contributed to Sutton Youth Baseball. She mentors young dental professionals at schools in the area. - K.H. What Olympic sport would you be the best at? As former captain of WPI's swim team, it would have to be swimming (but don't tell my coach I haven't swam a lap since graduation!) What did you learn from the coronavirus pandemic? If I grow all my own food, maybe I won't have to go to the grocery store ever again. What Central Mass. activity should everyone try? Hike the trails, have a picnic, and see the abandoned railroad tunnel around Wachusett Reservoir. What life goal will you accomplish in the next 10 years? Since I was in high school, I have dreamed of being a dentist and having a blueberry farm. Time to start planning for the farm! Therese Susienka, DMD, 32 Founder, general & cosmetic dentist Pleasant Valley Dentistry, in Sutton Residence: Sutton Birthplace: Manchester, N.H. Colleges: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Boston University 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y Hacker has impacted the Worcester community both on the job and off. In his capacity at UMass, Hacker has been involved in a multitude of projects, including the fit-up of the $400-million Albert Sherman Center, the Mass. Department of Transportation and Veterans Affairs land transfer, and now the newest building on campus, the $325-million New Education and Research Building. When the coronavirus pandemic first hit, he was called upon to assist with the set up and management of public testing facilities, a distinction he is particularly proud to have as an essential employee helping to support frontline healthcare workers and vulnerable populations. When he's not working on projects at UMass, Hacker serves as the president of the board for ArtsWorcester. While at the organization, he was tasked with designing and overseeing the nonprofit's new $800,000 downtown headquarters project, as well as helping to lead the organization through the perils of 2020. Outside of the arts, Hacker serves as an election warden for the City of Worcester Election Commission, is involved in local politics, serves as a member of Worcester Box 4 Special Services Canteen, as well as an emergency incident volunteer. - M.B. What decade would you time travel to? 1950s/early 1960s - I love mid-century modern art and architecture, and retro cars, so this seems like a good time period for those things! What Central Mass. activity should everyone try? A visit to one of our many great museums or art institutions; we have so many hidden gems! No need to go to Boston for arts and culture! What message would you like to give your 10-year-old self? Don't worry if people think you're a little different; everyone is unique, and those qualities should be celebrated! Ryan Hacker, 31 Architectural & construction project manager UMass Medical School, in Worcester Residence: Worcester Birthplace: Worcester Colleges: Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Massachusetts Maritime Academy PHOTO/ERIKA SIDOR Tower Hill Botanic Garden, in Bolyston (Special thanks to Tower Hill Botanic Garden)

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