Young Alumna of the Year Award

Susan Angel Meinerz, D.D.S., Arts ’09, Dent ’13
Wauwatosa, Wis.

As a pediatric dentist with her own practice, Wonderkind, Susan Angel Meinerz, D.D.S., sees success in terms of the good she creates. She aims for “good care for the families in my practice, good days for me, a good environment for my team to work in, and good laughs,” she says.

Susan adds that Marquette — where she earned both her undergraduate and dental degrees — nurtured her and motivated her to do good. “Whether through Marquette's many philanthropic organizations, the impressive and kind community that surrounded me, or the academics that offered a holistic sense of education,” she recalls, “good was all around.”

Susan met her husband, Max Meinerz, D.D.S., Arts ’09, Dent ’13, at Marquette, in a physiology class taught by Professor Emeritus Bob Fitts. Today, the couple has three small children ages 5, 2, and 6 months, “keeping the house quite busy, messy, loud and full of love,” she says.

In their D3 and D4 years, Susan and Max made life-changing mission trips to Guatemala with classmates to provide dental care to underserved patients. They returned annually for three years after graduation. Susan looks forward to returning “when our kids are a little older.”

For now, Susan enjoys the daily work of raising her children and growing her practice. “As pediatric dentists, we have a short but fun window to get to know our patients,” she says. “They change so much every six months, and it’s a joy to watch them and their families grow and change.”

Fun Facts:

Name Marquette faculty or staff members who had an impact on you.

In addition to Bob Fitts, who taught the class where Susan met her husband, Max, she highlights Brian Trecek, director of admissions, “for giving me a chance and letting me into the School of Dentistry,” and Brian Hodgson, department chair of General Dental Sciences. “He has helped guide and shape my path as a pediatric dentist,” she says.

Name someone (past or present) with whom you'd like to have dinner.

“Probably my Grandpa Angel. I’ve been told I’m a lot like him, but he passed away when I was 11 and too young to appreciate our similarities.”