dentist, paraglider, and cyclist david mcwhinnie
name
David McWhinnie (DDS ‘79).
making smiles brighter
A dentist for the past 27 years, he has a suburban Chicago practice
known as Smiles of Skokie.
why dentistry?
“I wanted to do something that was direct service to people.” McWhinnie considered becoming a doctor, but didn’t think he could remain detached in life-and-death situations. He also felt medicine in general was becoming too business-oriented. So McWhinnie settled on dentistry, which he thought would allow him more independence and control.
a life on the move
He is passionate about powered paragliding, which involves placing a motor on your back and using a parachute-like wing for lift.
the early bird gets the bagel
An avid cyclist, he rides with groups in the Evanston-Wilmette area several days a week, leaving home around 5 a.m. and traveling about 25 miles (with a quick bagel break). “It really gets the blood moving.” McWhinnie encourages others to get involved in cycling and uses his practice’s Web site to list riding groups (www.smilesofskokie.com/bicycling).
healthy mind, healthy body
“It’s important to be academically and technologically up to date, but you also have to be physically fit. Too many people don’t exercise. It’s difficult to do in these busy days, but you have to make the time.”
on mentoring
McWhinnie mentors pre-dental students at Loyola. “I introduce them to the world of dentistry and help them make sure they have their career goals straight.”
family life
He and his wife, Minda, have three children. Patrick, 28, will get married on New Year’s Eve; Jason, 25, attends the University of Colorado; and Erika, 23, is a Chicago interior designer.
favorite Loyola memories
“Dr. Gargiulo, Dr. Sandrik, and Dr. Smulson were my favorite professors. They were serious academically, but they also really cared about the students as individuals. I still stay in touch with them.”
keeping up with classmates
McWhinnie helped plan the Class of 1979’s 25-year reunion and
has used his practice’s Web site to communicate class information.
why Loyola still matters to him
“Loyola addresses the real needs of society and individuals. Academics without moral perspective doesn’t mean much. You have to educate by providing a good grounding and ethical foundation.”