About Us

Dr. Donald C. Summerlin was born on 8 January 1969 in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was raised in Cabot AR, and graduated from Cabot High School in 1987. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the USAF as a C-141 Loadmaster. In 1990 he separated from the Air Force to pursue a civilian career. He attended Arkansas State University - Beebe from 1995-1996 and University of Arkansas at Little Rock from 1996-1997 before entering dental school. He matriculated in the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Dentistry in 1997 and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree in 2001. In 1998 he was accepted for the U.S. Air Force Health Profession Scholarship Program (HPSP) and received his commission in January 1998. Dr. Summerlin is married to Diane; they have two daughters, Ella and Averie. Diane is a hometown native of Campbell Hill and a 1988 graduate of Trico High School.

Dr. Summerlin has an extensive background in the dental industry and in business management. Upon graduation from dental school, Dr. Summerlin was stationed at Little Rock AFB, AR, where he was the Deputy Flight Commander and Clinical Element Chief over seeing and supervising 7 providers and an ancillary staff of 40. He has completed numerous Advanced Education courses to include Operative, Exodontics, Enodontics, and Prosthodontics. These advanced courses and government service has earned Dr. Summerlin over 400 hours of dental continuing education in the field of General Dentistry.

Meet the Staff

Melissa Ripley, RDH, BS - Office Manager/Hygienist
Melissa earned her Dental Hygiene degree from SIU - Carbondale. She and her family, Eric(husband), Aaron(son) and Kalyn(daughter), reside on the out-skirts of the Murphysboro area.

Rachel Fager (Weil), RDH, CDA - Hygienist
Rachel earned her Dental Hygiene degree from John A. Logan. She is a 2002 graduate of Elverado High School and resides on the out-skirts of the Murphysboro area with her husband Kyle.

Jennifer Worthen (Camden) - Hygienist
Jennifer earned her Dental Hygiene degree from John A. Logan. She is a graduate of Murphysboro High School and resides on the out-skirts of the Murphysboro area with her husband Kye.

Samantha "Sami" Hagene (Kellerman) - Hygienist
Sami earned her Dental Hygiene degree from John A. Logan. She is a graduate of Picknyville High School and resides in the Picknyville area with her husband Scott and daughter Brylee.

Tina Orsburn - Assistant
Tina has over 17 years of dental assistant experience and has lived in the Cobden area her entire life. She is married to Rusty Orsburn and they have a daughter, Taylor.

L to R: Rachel, Tina, Sami, Melissa, and Dr Summerlin

Cosmetic & Family
Dentistry