By Deb Kroon,
Staff Writer
For some people a new year will bring small changes, while for others the changes will be substantial. 2018 will bring a big change for Dr. Carl Hallum, DDS. After being Adrian’s only dentist for forty and one-half years, Carl is going to hang up his white coat and his binocular loupes. He has decided he has improved enough smiles over the years and is going to try something new – retirement.
Dr. Michelle Skaff, DDS is starting off 2018 by making one of the biggest changes to date in her life. Graduating from Creighton University, living and working in Omaha, NE population 408,958, Michelle decided to move to Adrian, MN population 1223, buy a house and take over Dr. Hallum’s practice.
Carl and his wife Anita moved to Adrian after Carl finished school and bought the dentistry practice from Dr. Christian Weibler in July of 1977. After raising two sons, Jeremy and Ryan here in Adrian, the Hallums decided to stay. Forty years later, they’re still living in Adrian and are ready to start a new chapter of their life. Anita retired about a year ago and has been busily enjoying every moment and now Carl will join her. I asked Carl what he was going to do with time on his hands. He said, “For years I’ve envied the guys who had Wednesdays off and could golf all day. Now I am going to join them.” Sporting a big grin he went on, “I might even sit on my front steps and watch the world go by, maybe with an ice cold drink in my hand!”
Beginning on Monday, January 8, you will see Michelle’s face in the dental office. Adrian Family Dental will begin it’s turn taking care of Adrian’s smiles. Adrian Family Dental is part of the Family Dental group that is owned by Dr. Christopher Dickes, DDS and is based out of Sioux Falls, SD. Adrian is the fourth office to be added to the group. Dr. Dickes has an office in Sibley, IA; Yankton, SD and Sioux Falls, SD.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Michelle last week, along with an associate, Demetri Sengos. Demetri is the manager of all the offices and is also a dental hygienist. I asked if we’d be seeing him in the Adrian office and he said occasionally as manager, not as a hygienist, unless he is needed.
Talking to a widely smiling Michelle, you could tell she is very excited about serving the Adrian area. “I had thought it would be great to have my own business some day. When this opportunity opened up, I didn’t hesitate. I was thinking-how could she be so excited to move from a city as large as Omaha, to a town as small as Adrian. I needed to probe deeper. “My grandparents live in Winnebago, MN,” she said. “I do have experience with small towns. My parents and my two sisters all live in Sioux Falls, so I am familiar with this area.” She continued, “People have been so nice to me. No one knew who I was, but they were very friendly anyway. A few have even stopped by my house when I was outside and welcomed me to Adrian. I want to be more of a part of a community than you could be in Omaha. I want to work where there is a need for a dentist. I am really excited to start.”
Michelle and Demetri both promised to keep things pretty much as they have been. Michelle said that all the staff will be staying to work with her. The business hours will remain 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and the phone number will remain the same, 507-483-2101. She also added that they will be looking at extended hours one day a week, but for now everything will remain the same.
“We look forward to continuing dental care in Adrian, MN and look forward to meeting you and assisting with your dental needs and concerns. I would like to personally thank Dr. Hallum for allowing us to continue his legacy and provide top quality care to the Adrian community,” stated Dr. Christopher Dickes, DDS.
A big welcome to Dr. Michelle Skaff, DDS and good luck with your new venture!
Speaking for myself and I’m sure for Adrian, a big thank you to Carl and Anita for the years of dedication to our dental care here in Adrian. Also, we wish him well as he retires and pursues some of his hobbies that have been on hold.
So as you’re driving by Carl and Anita’s house, don’t be surprised to see Carl sitting on the front steps, ice cold drink in his hand. Congratulations Carl!
