Elenora Woods D.D.S. - Founder And President
Elenora Woods was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN. A proud mother of three children Megan 18 yrs old, William and Autumn (twins) 12 yrs old, Dr. Woods is a Graduate of Chattanooga High School. She received a Bachelors Degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in Biology and Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Tennessee Memphis. Dr. Woods is licensed in the state of Tennessee where she currently owns and operates two practices, one in Jasper and the other practice in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She has been in private practice for over eighteen years as sole proprietor. Dr Woods is a true trailblazer as the developer and owner of the Bonny Oaks Professional Office Suites where she maintains one practice and trains students to become registered Dental Assistants in the State of Tennessee.
Founder and Director of the E.W. Professional Career Training Center, a Board Certified Registered Dental Assistant Program, Dr. Woods inspires and motivates young women and men to rise above their odds as she trains them to become registered Dental Assistants as well as assist them in finding employment with livable wages.
Dr. Woods’ vision continues to inspire her and to help others with dental needs beyond her practice. She founded the non-profit Dental Angel Fund Foundation. This foundation focuses mainly on children and adults of uninsured, indigent, disabled and underserved communities. The foundation focuses on meeting financial needs for critical and emergency dental care in communities most vulnerable to hardships.
Dr. Woods is very active in her community. She is the Chairperson of the Southeastern Regional Health Council Dental Concerns Committee, a member of Marion County Health Council, a Member of the Marion County Chamber of Commerce, Member of the American Association of University Women, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, the National Association of Executive Women, Member of Jack and Jill of America Inc., member of Pi Omega Graduate Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the American Dental Association, the Tennessee Dental Association, and the Chattanooga Area Dental Society where she serves on the Board as the Minority Representative. Dr. Woods also served as Past Advisory Board Member of the Dental Care Mobile Project of the Ronald McDonald House and Erlanger Medical Center Program Director which was responsible in securing a Dental Care Mobil for underserved populations in Tennessee. She also served as Dental Director at Chattanooga College of Medical Dental and Technical Careers where she wrote, developed, and implemented their one year Dental Assistant Program.
Dr. Woods also served two successful terms as Financial Treasurer for the Tommy Brown Legislative Campaign in which her legislature was successful and Representative Tommy Brown continues to serve as Legislature for the Tennessee General Assembly.
Dr Woods has also received numerous civic awards and honors including:
· 2009 Pierre Fauchard Academy Award (honor bestowed on less than 8% of dentists nationally)
· 2008 Outstanding Citizenship Award for Hamilton County
· Academic Excellent Award for E.W. Professional Career Training Center for Hamilton County
· Trailblazer Award for the Hamilton County
· Endorsements from the Alton Park Development Corporation for the Dental Angel Fund Foundation
Casandra Wideman - Vice President And Treasurer
Casandra F. Wideman is the Executive Director of the E.W. Professional Career Training Center. She also serves on the board as Secretary of the Dental Angel Fund Foundation. She was born and raised in Chattanooga. She graduated from Chattanooga High School in 1984.
Casandra entered the U.S. Navy upon graduation from high school. Proudly serving as a member of our nation’s armed forces, she established a stellar career. She received recruit training in Orlando Florida and started her Navy career in the area of information technology. Some locations for her duty assignments included San Diego, CA, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and Norfolk VA. While assigned to Fleet Implementation and Development Team, she was selected as Chief Petty Officer where she attended Chief initiation and training. As a member of the Fleet Implementation and Training Team, she was responsible for the proper training of junior sailors at sea and civilian personnel on board military installation in the proper use of naval communications equipment. Additionally she was responsible for the command of over 60 military and civilian personnel in the areas of physical fitness and professional growth training.
Casandra also served as a Recruiter during her time in the Navy. In that role, she was awarded “Recruiter of the Year” for the Southeast Region. Less than 10% of national Navy recruiters receive the honor each year.
Chief Casandra Wideman retired from the Navy in 2007. Her background in recruiting, problem solving, and project management help shape and support the goals and vision E.W. Professional Career Training Center.
Chief Wideman’s personal awards include: Rookie Recruiter of the Year 1999-2000, Recruiter of the Year Award 2000-2001, Navy Commendation Medal (four awards), Navy Achievement Medal (six awards), Enlisted Surface Warfare Insignia (ESWS), Enlisted Air Warfare Insignia (EAWS).
Heather Carden - Secretary
Heather Carden was born and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She is a graduate of Girls' Preparatory School having received the Patsy Williams Scott Service Award, for exhibiting service to G.P.S., and advanced placement in art. While at G.P.S. she was also a member of the National Beta Club, for excellence in scholastic achievement and Aeropagus, a literary society in which she served as Vice -President. She is also a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, having received a Bachelor's of Arts degree in English. She is an RDA and CP and is currently employed as a dental assistant. Her interest in art began at an early age and was encouraged by her parents and art teachers, both at the Bright School and at G.P.S..While at G.P.S. she was chosen by the noted and internationally known art critic, Clement Greenberg, to participate in the 1989 Artstravaganza exhibition. She has written for and illustrated articles for SHINE brightly and Sparkle magazines since 2002. In March of 2008, a newspaper article in the Ooltewah-Collegedale Community News was written about her folk art sculptures. She has used her sculpting techniques and love of whimsical art in her work for the Dental Angel Fund Foundation. She is now the featured artist for the Dental Angel doll, which depicts dolls of various ethnicities and expressions. These dolls will become a treasure and increase in value over time since there are only a limited number of each series that will be created by the artist.