Meet our team
Dr. Gary Morgan
Dr. John Waldron
Amy Bonjour-Cockman
Danica Burch
Dina Claiborne
Sonia Davis
Lisa Downs
Sharon Fields
Barbara Haggerty
Karen Hall
Lauren Huseman
Susie Mayerle
Fran Sleighel
Kim Stephens
Diana Wallace
Dr. Gary Morgan
Dr. Gary Morgan is a native of Kansas City and a graduate of Center High School. He served in the US Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician before returning to school. He majored in Biology as an undergraduate of UMKC and received his doctorate from UMKC School of Dentistry.
Dr. Morgan pursues continuing education to stay abreast of scientific research, as it impacts modern dental treatment. The aspects of dentistry he most enjoys are Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry and Orthodontic treatment with Invisalign. He belongs to the American Dental Association, Missouri Dental Association, and the Greater Kansas City Dental Society.
Dr. Morgan and his wife have two married sons, one granddaughter, and one very funny Jack Russell mutt, named Stanley. They enjoy travel, camping, bicycling, gardening and snorkeling. Dr. Morgan plays golf avidly and Dr. Morgan is a proud member of Rotary International through the Kansas City-Plaza Rotary Club.
Dr. John Waldron
Dr. John A Waldron Jr. was born in Colorado and raised in Mankato, Kansas. He received his undergraduate degree in Pharmacy from the University of Kansas. Dr. Waldron graduated from UMKC Dental School in 1977, then spent three years in Germany and one year at Fort Leavenworth in the US Army Dental Corps. Dr. Waldron has been in private practice since 1981. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Greater Kansas City Dental Society, Kansas City Implant Study Club, and Dentists for Oral Conscious Sedation.
Dr. Waldron stays current with advanced technologies of CAD/CAM CEREC Dentistry and Laser dentistry. His interests include digital dentistry, developing presentations through technology and building beautiful smiles.
Balancing professional, family, faith and health commitments has been his goal. Dr. Waldron is an avid basketball and soccer fan and enjoys reading and traveling with his wife, Barbara.
Amy Bonjour-Cockman - Treatment Coordinator
Amy Bonjour-Cockman was born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, and has two beautiful daughters, Gabrielle and Natalea. In 2011 she married the love of her life, Robert. Amy and Robert also enjoy spending time with their four legged family members, Bella, Gracie and Lilly! She enjoys fly-fishing, boating, playing in the ocean, and the autumn’s crisp morning air in the mountains. Amy began her dental career at age 19. She has spent her years learning through continuing education and challenging herself to grow, both personally and professionally. She acquired her EFDA in 2002 and has been a member of Dr. Morgan’s team 5 1/2 years. Amy strives to make your appointment a more comfortable and pleasant experience.
Danica Burch - Registered Dental Hygienist
Danica Burch graduated from UMKC with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in 2004. She has been working for Westport Plaza Dental for seven years. Danica grew up around dentistry. Her dad is a dentist and she started assisting for him when she was 13. Her grandfather is a dentist, as well as her aunt and uncle. Her mother and another aunt are dental hygienists, so her love of dentistry comes naturally. Danica is from a small town in southwest Missouri, but is starting to get the hang of the “big city”. In her free time she enjoys baking, playing volleyball, canoeing, reading a good book, and traveling. She visits her sisters in Florida and Oregon every chance she gets.
Dina Claiborne - Registered Dental Hygienist
Dina Claiborne is one of our fabulous dental hygienists. She grew up in the USSR and moved here with her mother in 1979. She has been with us for 25 years. When not helping patients with their oral health, she enjoys ballroom dancing, hiking, biking and just relaxing with a good book. In her words Westport Plaza Dental Associates is “home away from home.”
Sonia Davis, Registered Dental Hygienist
Sonia earned her dental hygiene degree at Wichita State University in 1997. Currently she holds both a Kansas and a Missouri license. She joined our team at Westport Plaza Dental in 2002. Her passion for dental hygiene is shown with each patient she treats in our office. Sonia has made her home in Kansas City for the past 14 years. She has two sons, Andre and Tre, whom she adores. Outside of her profession she enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband James, seeing a good movie and exercising.
Lisa Downs - Dental Assistant
Lisa Downs is originally from St. Louis. She and her husband transferred to Kansas four years ago and are thrilled to make this area their home. Lisa is an expanded function dental assistant and has been for almost 30 years. Beyond dentistry, Lisa is passionate about scuba diving, underwater photography, gardening, K.C. restaurants, K.C. jazz, Knuckleheads saloon, cooking and entertaining with family and friends, old movies and a good book.
Sharon Fields - Registered Dental Hygienist
“Brush and floss daily” is Sharon’s mantra as a hygienist for Westport Plaza Dental. Away from the office she is married to her husband, Jim, of Mr. Field’s infamous cookies fame. Her greatest joys are her husband, Jim, kids and grandkids. We must not forget her greatest friend, Kringle, a red doberboy.
Barbara Haggerty - Registered Dental Hygienist
Barbara Haggarty joined Westport Plaza Dental Associates in 2002. She earned an Associate of Applied Science degree from Johnson County Community College Dental Hygiene Program. Barbara loves caring for patients. She finds it rewarding working together with patients to maintain a healthy mouth, which benefits their overall health.
Barbara was born in Iowa, lived in Colorado Springs for a few of her teenage years before her family moved to Kansas City. She proudly served five years in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman with a specialty in surgical technology. Barbara is one of seven children and has seventeen nieces and nephews. Married to Darren Haggerty since 2002, they live in Olathe, KS with their super-hero son, Corey. She loves spending time with her large family, and really is a “kid at heart”. Some of her other interests include movies, reading, exercising, and volunteering at her church.
Karen Hall - Treatment Coordinator
“Welcome to Westport Plaza Dental Associates!” Karen has worked with Dr. Waldron for over ten years as a Treatment Coordinator. She is excited to be an Ambassador for and a liaison between our patients and the practice. Karen’s education is in classical music (Rockar! Stockar!) and has traveled in the United States, Europe, Scandinavia, and Mexico. She currently sings with the Kansas City Symphony Chorus and teaches private voice lessons. Art and technique usually go hand-in-hand, so this makes Karen a great fit for Dr. Waldron’s practice. Karen met her husband, Chuck, at a concert of love songs. He wants her to mention she has a dry sense of humor and loves puns. She enjoys family time with him, their grandchildren, her dear sisters, close friends, and their Musical Yorkshire “Terrorist”, Mademoiselle Coco Chanel. Her favorite past-times are reading and baking.
Lauren Huseman - Dental Assistant
Lauren Huseman was born and raised in Missouri. She is married to her prince charming, Derek. But the love of her life is Walter (her black lab). She has been a dental assistant for 7 years and is excited to be a part of the ever changing high-tech world of dentistry. Lauren lives in Kansas City, but her heart is in the mountains. She loves skiing, sitting by a fire, and enjoys, most of all, her family. She also enjoys going to Chiefs games and believes everyone should experience a football game at Arrowhead at least once.
Susie Mayerle - Registered Dental Hygienist, Hygiene Coordinator
Susie Mayerle is a native of Kansas City, Missouri and graduated from UMKC in 1978 with a degree in Dental Hygiene. After 29 years of clinical practice, she is now the hygiene coordinator for Westport Plaza Dental having been with the practice for a total of 19 years. Susie and her husband Ron celebrated their 25th year of marriage in September 2011. They have three children Michael, Meredith, and Max. When not in the office Susie fills her time by volunteering at Max’s high school, singing in the church choir, and just spending time with her family, dogs included!
Fran Sleighel - Dental Assistant
Fran Sleighel is an Iowa native and has lived in Kansas City, Missouri for 10 years. She started assisting in dentistry in 1998 and it has been true love ever since. She found her home here at Westport Plaza Dental in 2003 and is extremely proud of the quality of service provided to our patients. Our high tech office is a never ending learning field. Fran’s special man in her life is Spot, her dog. She thinks there is nothing better to come home to after a terrific day at work.
Kim Stephens - Dental Assistant
Kim Stephens is one of Dr. Morgan’s Dental Assistants. She has been an assistant for 36 years, 7 with Dr. Morgan. She moved from her home town of Wichita to Kansas on December 24, 1999. That date happens to be her wedding anniversary, soon to be 35 years. She met her husband, Dean, in 3rd grade and graduated together. Her daughter Rachel lives in Lenexa. Her son Austin is married to Hillary and they have two beautiful daughters, Charity 5 and Emi turning 2 in October. They are the joy of Kim’s life. Austin and his family live in Monett, Missouri.
When Kim is away from work, she plays tennis every chance she can. She participates in USTA Leagues and Ten Cap. She captains a Senior Women’s team as well. Kim loves to cook, swim, snow ski, ride bicycles, exercise, watch TV and movies. She also loves to play practical jokes and have a good laugh. Her favorite joke is to put water on Dr. Morgan’s seat. He comes into the room to work and he sits in the water! We all laugh and have Good times at WPDA.
Diana Wallace - Dental Assistant
Diana Wallace has made herself at home in many parts of the country before settling in Kansas City. She has been an assistant at Westport Plaza Dental since 1989. She is excited to be a part of a practice that embraces all that technology has to offer. She is very passionate about her job and loves her patients. She enjoys spending time with family and friends. Her hobbies include gardening, traveling and going to movies. She visits her brother in Hawaii as often as possible. Diana has two adorable dogs Lola and Kolo who enjoy long walks with her. Diana believes that laughter is good for the soul.