Leadership

MDA Officers

Dr. John Noack

President

Phone: 507-645-5264

Dr. John Noack earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from St. John’s University in 1990 and then went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree with honors from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1994. Immediately after dental school, he was awarded an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency in the United States Air Force where he received additional training in all aspects of dentistry. After his residency, he served a 3-year active duty tour in Germany before returning to Northfield, MN. Dr. Noack holds memberships with numerous professional organizations. He enjoys all facets of general and cosmetic dentistry with a particular interest in helping sleep apnea and phobic patients. Dr. Noack is married to Jean and they have three children. He is passionate about baseball and enjoys spending time with friends and family.

Dr. Aruna Rao

President Elect

Phone: 320-253-8380

A 2012 graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, she continues to serve the MDA as chair of the Membership Committee, and has been a past member of several other MDA committees. She currently practices full-time as a pediatric dentist at her practice, K.O.A.L.A Dental Care and also works part-time at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry as a clinical adjunct faculty member. She is a member of the West Central District Dental Society, of which she is a past president and for which she has served as a delegate to the MDA annual House of Delegates meeting. Dr. Rao is a Board-Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, earning her specialty certificate from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Rao was selected for the 2018-19 class of the American Dental Association’s Institute of Diversity in Leadership, where she further honed her leadership skills.

Dr. Loren Taple

First Vice President

Phone: 651-687-0789

Dr. Loren Taple graduated from the University of Minnesota School Of Dentistry in 1989. He then completed a residency in Advanced General Dentistry at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Taple has served as an adjunct faculty to the University of Minnesota’s School of Dentistry. He is a past president of the Saint Paul District Dental Society and has and served on several MDA committees throughout the years.

Dr. Nathan Pedersen

Second Vice President

Phone: 218-263-8381

Dr. Nathan Pedersen earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. John’s University before completing his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Throughout his career, Dr. Pedersen has been actively involved in organized dentistry. He is a past trustee for the Northeastern District and has served on several MDA committees.

Dr. Alejandro Aguirre

Treasurer

Phone: 763-458-3564

Dr. Aguirre graduated from Universidad Nacional de Mexico in 1987. He is a 1992 graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry’s endodontics program. In 1997, he earned his U. S. dental degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, where he also taught. Dr. Aguirre has served in numerous positions on all three levels of our tripartite. He currently serves on the MDA’s Membership Committee and is the Minnesota Mission of Mercy State Lead, a position he’s held since 2012. In 2017 he was the recipient of the MDA President’s award.

Dr. Brandon Ulstad

Speaker of the House

Phone: 320-598-7433

Dr. Ulstad is a graduate of Saint Olaf College and earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Minnesota in 2001. He currently practices in Madison, Minnesota.