Dear Patients, Colleagues and Friends
It has been my great honor and privilege to have served you and your families for the past 35 years. After much careful deliberation and conflicting emotions, I have concluded it is time to retire from practice ownership and full-time clinical dentistry. Serving this community through providing relationship based preventative dentistry has been my passion and calling for years, and I have been so blessed by wonderful, long-term friendships with many of you. I am fortunate to have been part of a profession that allows the marriage of deep human connection and ever fascinating technical and intellectual challenges. This is my sweet spot, and it is hard to give that up. Unfortunately, after pushing through years of chronic pain, it is time I take care of my own health. I need to limit myself to offering my experience and mentorship to younger dentists and turn my attention to developing some of my many other interests, such as helping the underserved.
In this new chapter I am also blessed with knowing a competent, caring, and well-trained colleague Dr Janice Ko, who will be assuming the practice beginning May 21, 2024. I first met Dr Ko when she was a young patient in my practice who mentioned she was interested in dentistry. She became our intern for some time and became familiar with the operations of the practice and most importantly, the culture. Dr Ko went to UNC School of Dentistry and has been practicing dentistry in the area for years. What has impressed me about Dr Ko is her early enthusiasm for learning advanced skills, commitment to continual training and her gentle and caring manner. Dr Ko shares my commitment to compassionate, skillful care delivered with integrity. The wonderful team you all know well will stay on. I have been lucky to be assisted by these women that I have trained and cultivated over the years, and they will help with a smooth transition.
Thank you for the honor of knowing you all and sharing in your lives. I will genuinely miss seeing your smiles.
Dr Alicia Ramos
Dear Wonderful Patients of Dr. Ramos:
My name is Dr. Janice Ko, and it is my great pleasure to meet you through this letter. As you may have learned from Dr. Ramos’ letter, I am the new face that will greet you at your next visit. I first want to thank Dr. Ramos for trusting and choosing me as the new leader of her practice.
Twenty-three years ago, my family and I walked into this same building and also became Dr. Ramos’ patients. The excellent care we received for many years and this long-term relationship had a profound influence on my decision to pursue dentistry. Some of you may even remember me working as an intern at the office years ago. Even before starting dental school, I learned to appreciate many aspects of dentistry, from greeting patients on the phone to cleaning rooms and instruments, to chairside assisting, and most importantly, to fostering a patient-care-centered culture.
With such foundational experience, I earned my doctoral degree at UNC Adams School of Dentistry. Through many years of working with patients of all ages and from different backgrounds, I further developed my philosophy of practice: to always strive for the best possible care for my patients. My daily goal as a dentist is to become an even better dentist than I was the day before. Every year, I dedicate a significant amount of time to continuing education to build the best care system my patients deserve. I also completed rigorous training and now participate as an active alumnus at the world-renowned Kois Center in Seattle which provides the highest level of training in the latest advances in dentistry.
As much as I enjoy clinical dentistry, I truly find joy in building long-term relationships with my patients and team. My ultimate desire as a dentist is to be remembered as someone who truly cared for her people. I always strive to treat others the way I want to be treated. And I genuinely believe in a saying that behind every good dentist is a great dental team. I am greatly thankful that the same amazing team will be working by my side.
I appreciate you for taking the time to learn more about me. And I would love to invite you to be part of the next chapter in my journey and help me continue the legacy that Dr. Ramos and her team have worked extremely hard to build. Also, please join me in congratulating Dr. Ramos on her welldeserved retirement and exciting new season of life! I look forward to meeting all of you in person. In the meantime, please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Dr. Janice Ko
