World Class Leadership and Commitment to Culture Drives Success

Pat Bauer, President, CEO and DeAnn McClain, EVP, COO

Heartland Dental Leaders, Pat Bauer, President and CEO and DeAnn McClain, EVP and COO share their leadership journeys.

With more than 50 years of combined experience at Heartland Dental, the nation’s largest DSO, Pat Bauer and DeAnn McClain are an unmatched leadership pair. As members of the company’s Senior Leadership Team, Pat and DeAnn drive strategy for the organization and ensure they stay true to their doctor-led culture and support model in all aspects of the business.

Early Years

Pat grew up in a large family with 15 siblings. After watching his father work in healthcare, Pat knew he also wanted to build a career in the industry. For Pat, the important thing was establishing a career helping people, and he has done exactly that. Pat gained experience working with people from an early age and has continued to build these skills over the years.

DeAnn, on the other hand, grew up in Hidalgo, IL, a tight-knit community where people take care of each other and help when they can. Her parents, a teacher and a farmer, instilled in her a strong work ethic and a love for the land. Her roots in Hidalgo taught her the importance of looking out for one another, and she has carried this spirit into her professional journey, where she is committed to building a compassionate and supportive community throughout the organization.

A Pivotal Career Moment

Pat and DeAnn joined the company at different junctures in their personal career journeys.

Pat had a chance meeting with the company’s Founder and Executive Chairman, Rick Workman, DMD, in an elevator at a dental convention in 1995. Fast forward a few years later, as Dr. Workman’s vision truly began to take flight. Pat stayed in contact with Dr. Workman’s team, and in 1997, the team said, “We need someone like Pat Bauer,” so Dr. Workman asked Pat if he knew anyone just like him to join his management team.

Pat simply responded, “What about me?” Pat joined the com- pany as the Chief Operations Officer in April of 1997, was named President in 2009, and transitioned to the Chief Executive Officer role in 2015. “I knew when I met Rick that our paths would cross again, and when he reached out about a role on the leadership team, I knew it was an opportunity that would change the course of my career and provide me opportunities to make a lasting impact,” reflected Pat.

In 1996, DeAnn, a recent college graduate, scheduled an interview for a role at a dental office outside of Effingham. Later that day, she accepted an accountant role, not in a dental office but at Workman Management Group, which would become Heartland Dental the next year. At that time, the company had under 20 support office team members and supported 8 dental offices.

With its original leadership team in place, the company quickly grew, from supporting 8 dental offices in 1997 to 32 just a year later. Today, the company supports more than 1,700 dental offices across 38 states and the District of Columbia.

As DeAnn aptly puts it, “Our journey here is a testament to the transformative power of dedication and shared vision.”

Continuously Learning And Growing

Over the years, DeAnn has held many roles within the organization, eventually landing in field operations, and learning the inner workings of a dental office. Today, DeAnn leads the field and clinical operations team. Her deep knowledge and background allow her to connect the dots from the support office, field, and the supported dental office.

As a leader, DeAnn has worked alongside Dr. Workman and Pat, who consistently supported her and believed in her strong leadership qualities and unique insights. “There have been times when I have been the only female in a board room, but even on those occasions, I knew that Dr. Workman and Pat were my constant champions and were going to support my contributions. We have created an environment that is, at its core, open, welcoming, and fair,” she shared.

“Pat has always believed in me and – at times – pushed me in situations where I doubted myself, all the while ensuring I was set up for success. Because of Pat’s exemplary leadership, I often find I’m driven to live up to the great example he has set.”

As CEO, Pat is responsible for the oversight and management of the company’s activities, and his daily routine includes quite a bit of listening and talking to people. “As a leader, it’s crucial for me to connect with people and stay in tune with everything unfolding within the organization. Achieving this requires proactively setting aside time for reflection and thoughtful contemplation, both of which are pivotal to my success as a leader.”

Pat also has a passion for personal and professional growth, for himself as well as every supported doctor, leader, and team member. “Continuing education is an integral component of our doctor-led culture and support model,” shared Pat. Earlier this year, the company launched Heartland Dental University, elevating its continuing education offerings.

Supporting Doctors And Commitment To Culture

Education is one of the many components that underscore the company’s commitment to living its culture. And anyone will tell you, everyone has a role in living the company’s culture every day.

When it comes to dedication to the company’s mission, vision, and core values, Pat strives to set the tone at the top. “When team members and supported doctors see my commitment to our culture and being nice to each other, they realize the expectation to live the values is a reality,” shared Pat. “You have to be nice to work here. Bottom line.”

DeAnn has seen many changes, but one thing remains constant: the company’s dedication to providing supported doctors what they need, so they can focus on patient care and an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement. “Part of our focus as the support team is to constantly monitor our external environment and think about ways we can solve for the complexities that our supported doctors may encounter,” shared DeAnn.

And gratitude fills DeAnn’s heart for the career she has built and the opportunity to make an impact on so many people. “We get to do this every day!”

Both Pat and DeAnn are remarkable leaders who exude positivity and have left an indelible mark not only within the company but also on the wider dental industry.

Together, they form the bedrock of the company’s leadership team. Over the years, they have navigated challenges, implemented proven systems, and forged lasting relationships that stand as testaments to their dedication and the enduring strength of their company.

Pat Bauer has more than 40 years in dental and healthcare operations management. As President and Chief Executive Officer, he is responsible for the oversight and management of all operations and day-to-day functions of Heartland Dental. In his spare time, he is a certified instructor for the Advanced Achievement Leadership program with Dr. Gerald Bell at the University of North Carolina.

An original member of Heartland Dental, DeAnn McClain now serves as their Chief Operating Officer, leading the strongest talent in the industry as they provide world-class support to supported doctors, integrate new offices into the company’s supported practices, and create synergies between the clinical and operations side of the business.

Heartland Dental is the nation’s largest dental support organization providing non-clinical, administrative support services. What started from the entrepreneurial spirit of Rick Workman, DMD, with his single dental practice, has evolved into affiliating with over 2,700 doctors in over 1,700 locations across 38 states and the District of Columbia. The company is majority owned by KKR, a leading global investment firm. For additional information, please visit heartland.com or find us on LinkedIn.