Improving organizations through leadership, research, communication, and systems thinking.
Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) | Master of Health & Human Services, Health Informatics (MHHS) | President, Cleveland Dental Hygienists' Association
My name is Katherine Antepara, and my career has been shaped by a simple belief: meaningful change happens when people are willing to improve the systems that affect everyday lives.
I began my healthcare journey as a dental hygienist after graduating from Cuyahoga Community College in 2015. Over the years, I worked with diverse patient populations, including children, older adults, underserved communities, and Spanish-speaking families. Those experiences reinforced the importance of communication, education, advocacy, and access to care. While I found direct patient care rewarding, I became increasingly interested in the larger systems that influence health outcomes and the barriers that prevent people from receiving the care they need.
Driven by that curiosity, I continued my education at Youngstown State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Applied Science in Allied Health and later a Master of Health and Human Services with a concentration in Health Informatics. Throughout my academic journey, I maintained a 4.0 GPA while balancing professional responsibilities, volunteer leadership, and family life.
My graduate research focused on the relationship between oral health and child development in Ohio, exploring how access to dental care, social determinants of health, and public policy influence educational outcomes and overall well-being. That work deepened my interest in public health, data-informed decision making, and the role organizations play in creating healthier communities.
Beyond my professional career, I am actively involved in leadership and advocacy through the Cleveland Dental Hygienists' Association (CDHA) and the Ohio Dental Hygienists' Association (ODHA). As President of CDHA, I have led initiatives focused on organizational sustainability, member engagement, digital communication, student outreach, sponsorship development, and strategic planning. I enjoy building systems, resources, and partnerships that help organizations operate more effectively and create lasting value for the people they serve.
Today, my interests extend beyond clinical healthcare into leadership, operations, research, education, website development, organizational support, and community engagement. Whether I am developing resources, coordinating projects, analyzing data, creating digital tools, or supporting organizational initiatives, I am motivated by opportunities to improve access to information, strengthen connections, and help organizations achieve their goals.
As a first-generation college graduate, bilingual English and Spanish speaker, healthcare professional, researcher, and volunteer leader, I bring a unique perspective that combines frontline healthcare experience with a passion for advocacy, continuous learning, and systems improvement.
Thank you for visiting my website. I invite you to explore my projects, leadership initiatives, research, and areas of interest as I continue to grow, learn, and contribute to the communities and organizations I care about.
