A fond farewell to Jamie Mitchell, DMD

After 34 years of practice in Monticello, I will retire from daily practice at the end of June. My wife Suzy and I moved to Monticello immediately following graduation from dental school at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston in June of 1990. We were able to purchase the practice of Dr. Tom Brady and joined his practice in July 1990. The relationship we had with Tom and his wife Betty and their family has been one of the greatest joys of our time here. The staff we have had through the years and the relationships we have with our patients has been the other great joy of being here. A small town practice was my dream and being your dentist here in Monticello has been that dream and so much more. We had our children here, raised them here and watched them fly out of the nest from here and now they thrive in the bigger world. Our dreams have all come true thanks to the love and support we have been given by Monticello and Jasper County.

We will continue to call Monticello home. I look forward professionally to working part time at the Dental College of Georgia, finishing up my term as the President of the Dental College of Georgia and supporting Dr. Lipham and my other dental community as needed. I also look forward to taking on my special new role as a grandfather in July.

Suzy and I prayed for many years about what the profession calls an “exit strategy.” God heard our prayers and answered them through Dr. Tyler Lipham. Tyler joined us over 3 years ago and has come to love Monticello as we have. He brings youth and enthusiasm to the practice, but also a great respect for treating the patients here as I have tried to treat them for the last 34 years. You are in good hands folks. He is our beloved third child.

Our staff will remain with Dr. Lipham and we are so very thankful for that and for them. Shannon Roper and Kristi White are the best hygienists around. Beverly Williams gracefully fills in for them as needed. Assistants Angie Lane, Emily Mooney and Mallory Kelly will keep Dr. Lipham on track with great ease and professionalism and will be there for you as well. My beloved assistant Angie Bennett will stick by my side and embrace retirement along with me. I’m going to try not to need her to help me with my hobbies and chores at home! Our front office team of Jessica Kelly and Kathy Sanvidge will continue to make the whole thing work. Kathy has made it work for over 26 years and is really the glue that holds it all together. We never imagined we’d find someone as capable as Jessica Kelly to work for us, but we did! We are so very thankful for this great team and all that they and their families means to us! Speaking of families, Brandon Williams is the third generation in his family to maintain the inside of our facility and he is the unseen but truly vital member of our team we are grateful to. Eliza Lou, Johnnie Bell and Gloria taught you well!

This is a fond professional farewell to dental practice in Monticello as we have known it for 34 years. This is a heartfelt thank you to a community that has loved us well. Suzy will still be keeping an eye on things at the office some along with teaching at the gym and volunteering among with things. And oh yeah, that grandmamma thing! Look for me in my new garb of work clothes and duck boots. I’ll be the one smiling.

Sincerely,

Jamie Mitchell, DMD

Suzy Mitchell