Meet Our Team

Thomas is a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University and Loma Linda University where he received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. Thomas currently practices at Del Mar Family Dentistry. After traveling to Nicaragua for 10 years to provide dental care to underserved communities, he launched Cura Coffee and Cura Smiles in an effort to not only provide sustainable economic support to the local farming community but also sustainable dental care to those farmers and their families. Thomas and his wife, Tara, reside in San Diego with their two children, Owen and Stella.

Janet Simpson RDA, CDA has been working in dentistry for over 17 years. She has a clinical background in general and pedodontic offices. She earned a Bachelors of Education degree from SDSU in 2008. In 2010 she began teaching dental assisting at the community college level. In 2016 Mrs. Simpson became a registered provider of continuing education, presenting courses at dental conventions and online. Janet is thankful for the opportunity to serve and work alongside the wonderful volunteers at Cura Smiles Dental Clinic. Janet enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, scuba diving, and walking her puppy Cozy.

Darlene is a Registered Dental Assistant with Extended Function (RDAEF) in the state of California. Darlene has worked in all areas of dentistry for nearly 40 years. She has also been involved in various dental missions both domestically and internationally. She also enjoys non dental missions with her church including volunteering at the boulder shelter for the homeless, home building projects in Tijuana, orphanage clean up and restoration in Mexico. When she isn’t working in dentistry Darlene enjoys cycling, finding treasures to fix up and resell, and walking with her dog Lucy.

For the past 41 years, Bill has served as an attorney practicing commercial real estate and business law. During that time frame, he has represented several multi-million dollar companies, and he has appeared before the United States Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Bill has served on a number of other nonprofit corporations, including Via International (Chairman Emeritus), Optimist of Point Loma (current President), and is also on the board of directors of two nonprofits he incorporated that focus upon PTSD and TBI - Physician Advocates for Veterans and Operation Engage America.

Jordan is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and has been practicing as a specialist for the past ten years. In 2015, Jordan became adjunct faculty at Point Loma Nazarene University and teaches a one-unit elective course entitled “Serving Through Healing: An Introduction to Health Professions.” He is also dedicated to mission work and has served on dental outreach teams in Kasigluk, Alaska, Haiti, Montserrat, Belize, Vietnam, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Jordan and his wife, Mandy, have a three year old daughter, a newborn son and a dog named Carmen San Diego.

Ryan Burger is from the Philadelphia area with Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. At a young age, he began developing a solid work ethic and gravitated towards helping people through the family business of grocery services. Currently, he helps navigate business strategies to optimize sound financial planning and retirement success with 20 years of experience in the dental industry. His unique business interests and skill set includes co-developing medical properties as well as guiding dentists and physicians into real estate ownership. Ryan is involved with his Church and neighbors to make his community a better place. He thoughtfully balances time with his wife and three daughters. He is down to earth and has great energy that spreads positivity. He truly cares for his clients and thrives to see them on a winning team striving toward excellence.

Cecilia Farfán oversees the center's research and policy engagement activities at UC San Diego's Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies covering security, migration, democracy and CaliBaja. She plays a pivotal role collaborating with the center's partner organizations, academics and policymakers to position USMEX as a gathering point for timely discourse and analysis of pressing issues facing Mexico and the bilateral relationship. Farfán is an expert on organized crime and female participation in criminal groups, and co-founded the Mexico Violence Resource Project, an online platform providing analysis and resources for journalists and policymakers on violence and organized crime in Mexico. In addition to her formal academic initiatives, Farfán has consulted for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the Organization of American States and the United States Institute for Peace. Farfán received her doctorate in political science from UC Santa Barbara, her master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and her bachelor’s in international relations from the Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM). She has been a recipient of several research fellowships including the Fulbright Program, the UC Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation and Mexico’s National Council on Science and Technology.

Eli oversees strategy and operations for McKinsey & Company's diligence program. In this global role within the Firm's Ethics & Compliance function, he works to evolve and scale the way in which the Firm forms a perspective on risk exposure across economic, geographic and political factors. Prior to moving back to San Diego, he spent approximately 10 years living and working in the Middle East between Cairo, Egypt and Dubai, UAE as a risk management consultant supporting multi-national companies expand their operations across the region. Eli holds a Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University and BA in Political Science from PLNU. When he is not analyzing risk, he is most likely doing something with his (and Cecilia's) German Shepherd, Pax.

Paul A. Champlin graduated from SDSU receiving his accounting degree in 1977. Paul has been a certified public accountant for the past 44 years in San Diego developing his accounting and tax practice. He is actively involved at his church using his accounting skills and serving in many different ministries showing compassion and mercy toward those in need. He is also on the board of directors of a Christian nonprofit campgrounds and conference center. When not involved with the accounting practice or busy at church, Paul enjoys reading, traveling, and cheering on the Aztecs and Padres.

Dr. Sara Choung's interest in chemistry was sparked in high school and she went on to study chemical engineering at MIT and UC Berkeley. She discovered her love of teaching and mentoring undergraduate students during graduate school. After doing research at Argonne National Laboratories, she started her teaching career at PLNU in 2004. While Choung taught various chemistry courses, she also served as department chair of chemistry for five years and pre-health advisor for 13 years. As the Director of Health Professions Advising, she now advises and mentors undergraduate students who plan to attend health professions schools.