President-Elect: Christine Bethel, RDH, PHDH

Christine has been Registered Dental Hygienist for over 45 years. She graduated from Springfield Community College in Massachusetts.

Chris has been a strong supporter of ADHA since her membership in SADHA as a student. Her journey with IDHA began in the early 80’s, when she was a component trustee for the McHenry component. After living on the East Coast for several years, in late 80’s, Chris moved back to Illinois, and became a member of Fox Valley Component. Chris served in many roles including delegate to ADHA.

Chris has worked in St Charles for over 35 years at the same practice. Her passion has been working with the special needs and elderly patients. She also loves mentoring the recent graduates and new hygienist. She has volunteered at Tri City Health Partnership, which has been so rewarding and Chris has been able to make enhancements to the services she provides here, since getting her Public Health Dental Hygienist certificate. Chris believes we as hygienists need to be Life Long Learners!

Christine lives in St Charles with her husband, Scott. They have three grown children and two grandsons, that they love spending time with.

Immediate Past President: Lori McNamara, BSDH, RDH, PHDH

Lori has been a Registered Dental Hygienist for over 35 years, graduating from Loyola University of Chicago. Throughout her career, she has worked in clinical settings including private practice, pediatric, public health, and dental hygiene education.  

She became more involved in IDHA after finding her “tribe” of dental hygiene friends.  Lori's passion for oral health was renewed by attending annual conferences and component meetings. Most recently she was the chairperson of ILHy-PAC, the political action committee of IDHA. Her professional participation extended into the Access to Care Committee as well as the Legislative Committee.  

Lori believes that to advance our profession we need to start with EDUCATING our patients and the public about dental health, highlighting our extensive education

Treasurer: Tasia Walker, BS, RDH

Tasia Walker brings over 9.5 years of dedicated service to the field of dental hygiene, currently serving as Treasurer for Illinois Dental Hygienists’ Association. A proud graduate of Florida A&M University with a major in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Tasia returned to her hometown of Chicago to pursue her passion for dental hygiene at Kennedy-King College.  

As a dental hygiene professional, Tasia has not only excelled in private practice and Dental Service Organizations (DSO) but has also demonstrated outstanding leadership. Her commitment to excellence was evident during her tenure as the President of her dental hygiene class, and she was duly recognized with induction into the academic honors society, Phi Theta Kappa.  

Tasia's diverse professional background includes a notable role as the Lead Hygienist in a DSO-affiliated office. She now serves as the Practice Manager of a fun, millennial-run office in the northwest suburbs. Her expertise spans public health, private practice, and management, showcasing a well-rounded understanding of the dental hygiene landscape. Holding a Public Health Dental Hygiene Certificate, Tasia is deeply passionate about educating the public on the vital role dental hygienists play in society.  

Known for her enthusiasm and commitment to promoting oral health awareness, Tasia Walker continues to be a driving force in Illinois Dental Hygienists’ Association, contributing her wealth of knowledge and experience to advance the mission of the organization.

Secretary: Rahim Bharwani, BS, RDH

Meet Rahim Bharwani, a dedicated dental professional based in Glendale Heights, Illinois. Rahim embarked on his career after graduating from the College of DuPage's Dental Hygiene Program in 2016. He honed his skills as a dental hygienist in Colorado from 2016 to 2020, while pursuing a Bachelor's degree from CU Boulder.

In 2023, Rahim returned to his alma mater, the College of DuPage, as an adjunct dental hygiene instructor. Not content to stop there, he is set to embark on a new academic journey, starting a Master's degree in Higher Education Administration in January 2024. Rahim's passion for education extends further, as he plans to apply to dental school in the spring of 2024.

With a dynamic blend of clinical experience, academic pursuits, and a commitment to teaching, Rahim Bharwani exemplifies a multifaceted professional dedicated to the field of dental hygiene and higher education.