NSU CDM Lasting Impressions Spring 2019

24 | COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE ALUMNI Impressions When Jordan Harper, D.M.D., CDM class of 2014, isn’t at his Niceville Family Dental office in Niceville, Florida, he often can be found in the air behind the controls of his Cirrus SR22TN aircraft. Harper has flown much-needed supplies to an area 50 miles east of him in the Florida Panhandle, which was devastated by Hurricane Michael in 2018. Harper is a member of Operation Airdrop, a nonprofit organiza- tion whose members fly their small airplanes into disas- ter areas to deliver critically needed supplies, such as medication and hygiene products. Harper’s practice immediately donated toothbrushes and toothpaste. Cash and material donations piled into both his office and that of his wife, Cayleigh Benny Harper, Psy.D., a private practice neuropsy- chologist in Niceville. Harper has loaded up to 400 pounds of supplies at a time, flying to Apalachicola near ground zero to drop them off. He’s kept a hangar full of supplies to make ongoing runs as needs change to deliver items, such as clothing and bedding. “Those people were living in a disaster. There were limited road openings because trees were piled up. There is a massive need for items,” he said, adding he is still making deliveries as the area continues to recover. Community involvement and practicing dentistry are all in a day’s work for Harper. Soon after graduating from the CDM in May 2014, he started training for his pilot’s license, earning it in August 2014. Although he never served in the U.S. military, Harper is the honorary commander for the 58th Fighter Squadron based at the Eglin Air Force Base. He interacts with the Air Force pilots who fly the F-35, “the latest and greatest fifth-generation fighter jet,” Harper noted. He was recognized for his work as a dentist and as a community activist when he was named the Florida Dental Association’s (FDA) 2018 New Dental Leader of the Year. “I was beyond thrilled and very honored to be recognized,” said Harper, who added that the award also was given for his volunteer work, including free dental work on behalf of Mission of Mercy. CAREER CHOICE Harper decided on his dental career when he was in high school and began helping a dentist scan medi- cal records as that practice went digital. When he took breaks from scanning, he’d watch the dentist complete a filling or crown. It ignited a passion within him to pursue dentistry, because he loved working with his hands. He also discovered that patient relationships made coming to work fun. “I have some of the coolest patients,” Harper added. “They’re a big motivation. I get to check up on them every six months and help them. I recently saw a patient when I went out to dinner. We chatted for a long time about trips he’s taken and some I’ve taken. A lot of my patients are more like friends and family than patients.” In his role as chair of the FDA Council on the New Dentist, Harper said debt is the new dentist’s most Reach for the Alumnus Combines Passions to Provide Disaster Relief BY CAROL BRZOZOWSKI Clouds ALUMNI IMPRESSIONS