Leadership

MDA Officers

Dr. Alejandro Aguirre

President

Phone: 763-458-3564

Dr. Aguirre graduated from Universidad Nacional de Mexico in 1987. He is a 1992 graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry’s endodontics program. In 1997, he earned his U. S. dental degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, where he also taught. Dr. Aguirre has served in numerous positions on all three levels of our tripartite. He currently serves on the MDA’s Membership Committee and is the Minnesota Mission of Mercy State Lead, a position he’s held since 2012. In 2017 he was the recipient of the MDA President’s award.

Dr. Scott Wagnild

President Elect

Phone: 218-736-4000

Dr. Scott Wagnild graduated in 1989 graduate from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Following his graduation, he spent three years in a hospital-based general practice residency program at the Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He has practiced in Fergus Falls for more than 20 years and has served on several MDA committees and as a West Central District trustee. Dr. Wagnild enjoys outdoor activities, early morning exercise at the YMCA, restoration projects on his old house, and volunteering in his community.

Dr. John Noack

First Vice President

Dr. John Noack earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from St. John’s University in 1990 and then went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree with honors from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1994. Immediately after dental school, he was awarded an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency in the United States Air Force where he received additional training in all aspects of dentistry. After his residency, he served a 3-year active duty tour in Germany before returning to Northfield, MN. Dr. Noack holds memberships with numerous professional organizations. He enjoys all facets of general and cosmetic dentistry with a particular interest in helping sleep apnea and phobic patients. Dr. Noack is married to Jean and they have three children. He is passionate about baseball and enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Dr. Aruna Rao

Second Vice President

Phone: (320) 253-8380

A 2012 graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, she continues to serve the MDA as chair of the Membership Committee, and has been a past member of several other MDA committees. She currently practices full-time as a pediatric dentist at her practice, K.O.A.L.A Dental Care and also works part-time at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry as a clinical adjunct faculty member. She is a member of the West Central District Dental Society, of which she is a past president and for which she has served as a delegate to the MDA annual House of Delegates meeting. Dr. Rao is a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, earning her specialty certificate from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Rao was selected for the 2018-19 class of the American Dental Association’s Institute of Diversity in Leadership, where she further honed her leadership skills.

Dr. Loren Taple

Treasurer

Phone: 651-687-0789

Dr. Loren Taple graduated from the University of Minnesota School Of Dentistry in 1989. He then completed a residency in Advanced General Dentistry at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Taple has served as an adjunct faculty to the University of Minnesota’s School of Dentistry. He is a past president of the Saint Paul District Dental Society and has and served on several MDA committees throughout the years.

Dr. Stephen McDonnell

Speaker of the House

Email: mcdonnellsn83@gmail.com

Dr. Steve McDonnell earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Minnesota. He has been very active in the dental community throughout his career, providing free dental care at the Union Gospel Mission dental clinic, serving as president and trustee of the St. Paul District, as well as holding several dental education leadership positions with the MDA and ADA. In 2009 and 2012, Dr. McDonnell received Outstanding Service Awards from the MDA and the St. Paul District Dental Society. He has also devoted much time and talent serving as a volunteer and leader in various community and church organizations.