On a weekend in September, a pipe burst at NOVA Family Dental in Salmon Creek, devastating the dental practice, shutting it down; or so one would think. With determination not to let her staff and patients down, Dr. Kris went in search of a temporary office. Dr. Kris looked to her former mentor, Dr. Roger Wendel for advice.
To take you back 9 months, Dr. Kris was formerly an associate dentist for Roger Wendel at Wendel Family Dental Centre. After 20 years, Dr. Kris was ready to be independent and bought the Salmon Creek location practice from Dr. Wendel at the beginning of 2022. With excitement, innovative ideas, and ambition, she was destined to be her own boss and take this practice beyond the success it already was. NOVA Family Dental was morphed.
As an entrepreneur, Dr. Wendel remembers what it was like to start a business, nurture it to grow, succeed, and even experience a few setbacks of his own along the way. Dr. Wendel has been a pillar of the Vancouver community, celebrating his 50th anniversary as the owner and dentist at Wendel Family Dental Centre this year.
Seeing this set-back happen to a colleague, Dr. Wendel couldn’t stand by and watch. After evaluating and discussing the situation, the two came to an agreement that Dr. Kris would move NOVA Family Dental temporarily, while her office is being renovated, to the Wendel Family Dental Office on 40th Street. In a way, she was going back home. Being back at the 40th street location was a feeling of familiarity with staff and patients, making the temporary transition smooth.
In a society where everyone is out for themselves, Dr. Wendel seems to have chosen community over competition.
