About Us

Paula Fischer, RDH

Administrative/Surveillance Coordinator

In the spring of 2002, Paula contracted with Rochester Primary Care Network (RPCN) to conduct oral health screenings on 3rd grade children in Western New York and collect data for the NYS Oral Health Physical Activity and Nutrition Surveillance Project. Two years later, she joined the TAC staff to coordinate the Project. She is also responsible for TAC’s day to day administrative tasks.

Paula has more than 25 years of dental hygiene experience and is an active member of the American Dental Hygienist Association (ADHA) on the state and local level. In 2010, Paula became the first recipient of the DHASNY Board of Directors Award for Extraordinary Volunteerism and Advancing DHASNY’s Mission. She currently sits on the steering committee for the NYS Oral Health Coalition and is co-director of the City of Batavia Youth Board. Ms. Fischer has an A.A.S. degree in dental hygiene from Monroe Community College.

Jacinta D. Watkins, DDS, MSPH

Assistant Director

Dr. Jacinta D. Watkins joined TAC in July, 2011 and brings more than ten years of organizational leadership experience to the team. She will lead TAC in carrying out its mission by participating in the NYS Oral Health Physical Activity and Nutrition Surveillance Project, Dental Health Certificate program and other community-empowering projects. As a dental and public health student, she organized numerous community events aimed at improving oral and overall health.

She was featured on the cover of the Howard University Magazine (Fall 2009), was the focus of an article in the American Dental Association (ADA) News (August 2009) for her health policy externship experience with the ADA, and has been recognized with several leadership awards, including the Pierre Fauchard Leadership Award and the Ida Simon Memorial Award.

Dr. Watkins is a member of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry and an advanced speaker with Toastmasters International. She received her doctor of dental surgery from Howard University College of Dentistry and master of science in public health from Tulane University. She completed a general practice residency in Bronx, NY and is currently a dental public health resident with the NYS Bureau of Dental Health.

Rachel Studley, MHA

Project Coordinator

As TAC Project Coordinator, Rachel works with her team to successfully plan and execute the NYS Oral Health Physical Activity and Nutrition Surveillance Project and Dental Health Certificate program, manage Web site content, organize events, and educate people across New York State on oral health care and disease prevention. In her role as project coordinator, Rachel brings creativity and business insight to help TAC achieve its mission. She also acts as the administrative support for the NYS Oral Health Coalition and participates in communications committee activities.

Prior to joining TAC, Rachel was at Catalyst Direct, working in direct marketing. Her areas of expertise include integrated marketing and copywriting, relationship management, market research, business development, and conflict resolution. While earning her master’s degree, she worked internships at Strong Memorial Hospital, St. John’s Home, and RPCN, which helped further her interest in the health care industry, and more specifically, public health. Rachel holds a masters degree in health administration from Roberts Wesleyan College and a B.F.A. in advertising design from Syracuse University.