ensures that his ‘family practice’ lives on i · 2017. 10. 2. · eight rented motorbikes to...

20 | October 2017 OKEECHOBEE THE MAGAZINE

If you've ever met or been treated by Dr. Jim Tenniswood, you know he is a laid-back, quiet man — generally. But now you're going to know the true Jim. He plays the trombone; he’s a daredevil; he loves motorcycles, airplanes and scuba diving; and he’s a devoted family man. Though retired, he says he really misses “doing the actual dentistry.”

Jim has earned the title “Dr.”, however; again, here you will learn about the man, Jim, not just the doctor, and his family. We’ll also discuss the employees of this 55-year-old business, which now boasts five family members who represent three generations — Jim; his son and daughter-in-law; and his granddaughter and her husband.

Jim grew up helping his dad do cement work while also raising rabbits to sell. He said, “Just before I went to college, my mother said I would study dentistry. But as a kid, I didn't like to go to the dentist — it hurt.” He did three years of pre-dentistry at Michigan State Uni-versity, then went on to the School of Dentistry at the University of Michigan for four years.

It was at Michigan State that he tried out for band and met Pat. He didn't waste any time asking her out. They married soon after and, this past August, celebrated 61 years of marriage. He did make the band roster and played with Michigan State until he went to dental school. Daughter Cheryl was born while he was studying there.

Dr. Jim at high school graduation.

Dr. Jim and Pat Tenniswood.

www.OkeechobeeTheMagazine.com October 2017 | 21

By Raye Deusinger Photos by Sandra Pearce

Jim Tenniswood’s family members — and some longtime employees — carry on his tradition of excellence. If only they

could do something about his daredevil behavior …

y

Retired Okeechobee Dentist

Jim Tenniswood Ensures That His

‘Family Practice’ Lives On

‘I hope in 20 years that we are still known as

a “family practice.”I love the relationships

that we have with our patients.’

~ Dr. Mark Tenniswood

22 | October 2017 OKEECHOBEE THE MAGAZINE www.OkeechobeeTheMagazine.com October 2017 | 23

Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. While stationed in California, he worked as an Army dentist for two years. Part of the time, he worked with Dr. Otis James, a dentist who happened to be from Okeechobee and was also stationed in coastal Monterey.

The Tenniswoods were from Michigan. Nevertheless, when Jim left the Army in 1962, he, Pat, Cheryl, and son Mark, who was born in California, came to Florida, looked around and decided to settle in Okeechobee. He was confident and never doubted that this would be his lifetime career. (His mom had predicted correctly.) Three months later, he opened an office in what is now the Regions Bank building on Park Street.

He hired two young women — Marcia Wagner and Gwen Marsh. Marcia began her relationship with the Tenniswood family by babysitting “Little Mark.” She tried college but didn't stay. So, at 19, she needed a job. Jim hired her and trained her as a dental assistant. She began working for him in 1969 and is still there, 48 years later. Throughout the years, she has remained the primary lab worker and has taught many others, including, much later, Jim's granddaughter Jenna.

Gwen began in 1970 as a dental assistant, a position she held for 13 years. But if you are, or were, a Tenniswood patient, you’ll remember her more as the lovely lady who then worked out front, answered the phone and handled your paperwork to perfection. Gwen lived way out in Basinger, about 17 miles away, and needed money to pay for her daughter, Tammy, to go to kindergarten.

At the time, Gwen said she needed the job only until Tammy was out of kindergarten. But, she recalled, “44 years later, it was the office joke that I was still there because Tammy was still in kindergarten.” She left in 2014 for family reasons.

Being the longest employed, Gwen and Marcia have told some stories about the “daredevil boss” who, on motorcycle trips with his son, had to be reined in by Mark. Mark's first motorcycle was a tiny “bike.” They had just moved into their present home on Eighth Avenue. Theirs was the most recent house built on the street.

At that time, though, much of the rest of the area was still vacant land because it was part of a large community then

Left and below: Dr. Jim in Key West.

From left: Jack Forde, John Boak, Dr. Jim, Keith Walpole, Dr. Mark and Kevin Rucks.

Motorcycle trip with Joe Leyman and Jack Forde.

Dr. Jim and son, Mark.

‘My mother said I would study dentistry. But as a kid, I didn’t

like to go to the dentist.’ ~ Dr. Jim Tenniswood

‘He would get so engrossed working [the cows], he would act first and

then realize the danger.’~ Former employee Gwen Marsh,

referencing Dr. Jim’s daredevil side

24 | October 2017 OKEECHOBEE THE MAGAZINE24 | October 2017 OKEECHOBEE THE MAGAZINE www.OkeechobeeTheMagazine.com October 2017 | 25

under construction. Mark had a grand time cutting trails on his tiny motorbike in that area. Today, the community is built out.

Gwen, who has a ranch and raises cows, said Jim asked to come “work the cows.” “He came,” she said, “and while not exactly a daredevil, he would get so en-grossed working with them, he would act first and then realize the danger.” Both women said that Jim always considered his employees part of his family.

They also mentioned things never told outside the office, like his generosi-ty and compassion, as he was known not to charge someone who was going through financial difficulties; or about his donations made anonymously; or about paying the hospital bill for a man who was very sick and had few financial resources.

Another “long-termer” is Tammy Platt. Since 1979, she has served as a dental assistant, a receptionist and, today, sched-ules your appointments and checks you out when you're finished. She began right out of high school when her friend and

fellow student — Mark Tenniswood — told his dad about her bragging that she was No. 13 in her graduating class. Jim interviewed and hired her.

Okeechobee was a great place for the Tenniswoods. They could satisfy their passions for swimming, lobster diving (during season!), flat roads for his mo-torcycle and clear skies for flying. Jim has owned three planes. He recalled, “The first time I flew after getting my license, I took Pat and the kids and Grandma on a flight to the Keys. The whole way, Grandma sat in the back seat saying her rosary.”

Pat told of one “bike ride” when Jim missed a curve at Lock 7 on the north side of Lake Okeechobee, and they both went flying. He landed in the soft grass, unconscious. Pat, however, went sliding down the road and learned the hard way that road rash is no fun at all.

He and Pat joined the Methodist Church where they met many people with whom they have formed lasting friendships. One of those is Okeechobee Mayor Dowling Watford, who said, “Growing

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seat saying her rosary.’ ~ Dr. Jim Tenniswood

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up in the ’50s, we had to drive to Fort Pierce to the dentist. When Jim got here, he was young and modern, and we were thrilled to have a local dentist to go to. He showed compassion and caring, and we weren't used to that kind of treat-ment. He even made follow-up phone calls to make sure we had no problems.

“I had the double pleasure of living down the street from him. He would water ski on Taylor Creek. I never skied with him because I wasn't up to his caliber, but I'd always watch him. Today, we are both in the same church, where he is known for his support of and love for both his church and his Lord,” Dowling added.

Other “lifelong” friends are Judge Bill Hendry and wife Merle. They, too, got to know the dental side of Jim, but they also came to know his social side. They met at church where a small circle of members would gather regularly to have impromptu dinners or to go swimming.

Said Merle, “It didn't take much to start a party then. All you had to do was call and say ‘bring a dish.’”

Once, on a cruise to Nassau, Bahamas, church members Jack and Opal Wolff, Mary and Frank Platt, the Hendrys and the Tenniswoods had an adventure. The eight rented motorbikes to explore the countryside, though Jim was the only one who had ever ridden.

Judge Hendry said, “On a narrow road, traveling single file with Jim in the lead, we veered off across a beautiful green field. But it wasn't a field; it was a rich man's estate, and we got chased off. Re-turning to town, we came over a hill and rode right into a National Pride Day parade coming right at us. I'm proud to say, our friendship is still very strong.”

As their friendships grew, so did the Tenniswood family. There are now five grandchildren and two great-grandchil-dren. While Jim did not tell Mark he would go into dentistry, as Jim’s mother had told him, Mark did. Today, Mark and his wife Donna, a dental assistant; their daughter Jenna and her husband, Clifford Bryan, all work at Tenniswood Dental. Jenna and “Dr. Cliff ” recently graduated as doctors of medical dentistry (DMD). Ironically, Cliff ’s grandfather

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Dr. Jim, Pat and grandchildren.

Tenniswood family, from left: Dr. Mark, Donna, Dr. Jim, Kendyll Smith, Pat, Jenna and Cliff Bryan.


‘I loved working with my father and

learning from him.’~ Dr. Mark Tenniswood

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went to the same dental school, just two years behind Jim.

Mark worked in his father's dental lab before he went to dental school. He is a certified and licensed lab technician who studied cosmetic dentistry and liked it so much that he went on to further his education in Charleston, S.C., where he earned his DMD degree.

When the first office proved too con-fining, Jim bought property and built the current office, which became not just a place for dentistry but a place for learning. Two dentists, currently working in Okeechobee, began their practice in the Tenniswood building. Many young people received training there, also.

The dental lab that spurred Mark's in-terest is in the building adjoining the dental office. Technicians in the lab make crowns, bridges and other essential dental

corrections. In addition to providing general dentistry, the Tenniswood prac-tice offers cosmetic and restorative den-tistry for all ages.

“Up-to-date office procedures,” said Jim, “are efficient and dependable. But strange things can happen. Once, as I gave a patient — a very strong man — a shot preparatory to working on him, he reached out, grabbed my shirt, passed out and fell, spread-eagle, to the floor. With his grip on my shirt, I fell on top of him. Just then an ‘older’ lady walked by the door, quickly looked away and said, ‘I'm not supposed to see that.’”

Today, Mark heads the practice, which has 16 employees comprised of dentists, hygienists, lab workers and dental as-sistants; and the enterprise might soon expand again.

Above: Pat Tenniswood in front of office construction. Left: Pat, Mark and Cheryl.

‘When Jim got here, we were thrilled. He showed compassion and caring.’

~ Dowling Watford


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Mark is proud of his father and of his daughter. He said, “Dad never pressed me to go to dental school. I was a lab tech first and really enjoyed it. Then I realized the potential and value that was staring me in the face, but it wasn't until after I was married that I really consid-ered trying to go to dental school. My daughter was only 3 when I started; it was the best decision I ever made. I loved working with my father and learning from him. I now have been in practice 26 years. Dad retired in 2015.

“I tried not to influence Jenna toward dental school, although it was a dream of mine,” Mark continued. “With her love of show horses, she always talked of being a veterinarian, of which I would have been equally proud. It was during her senior year of high school that she worked part time for me and began to show interest in the field. By graduation, she was focused on dental school and stayed committed.

Dr. Mark and Jenna at graduation.

‘My family is proud of the 55 years we have served,

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“I hope in 20 years that we are still known as a ‘family practice.’ I love the relation-ships that we have with our patients, who started seeing my father and then have had me and are now being seen by my son-in-law, Cliff, and daughter Jenna. That is so cool,” Mark added.

They all feel the future is bright. Jenna explained, “In June, we began using digital X-rays. Once taken, the picture immediately comes up on the computer screen where the patient can see it; it helps educate and explain. Cliff is doing Invisalign to help re-contour teeth, and we’re now doing implants. We are already

doing porcelain crowns and have ad-vanced ways to deliver both oral sedation and the familiar nitrous oxide sedation.”

Cliff said, “I am honored to be part of a practice with such an established and responsible name. Everyone has been welcoming. I've been called 'Jenna's husband' by those who don't yet know me, and also ‘Dr. Tenniswood.’ That’s fine with me, because I'm the new guy who's learning from Jim and Mark.”

Jenna, Tenniswood Dental's youngest doctor, said, “My family is proud of the 55 years we have served, and continue to serve, our community. I am proud my grandfather started it. Being in this family is always exciting, and my husband and I are very proud to work here and be a part of Okeechobee.”

Dr. Mark and Donna Tenniswood.

Drs. Cliff and Jenna Bryan.

Family vacation in Key West.

Dr. Jim and Pat Tenniswood.

‘I am honored to be part of a practice with such

an established and responsible name.’

~ Dr. Cliff Bryan

863467-1545

ensures that his ‘family practice’ lives on i · 2017. 10. 2. · eight rented motorbikes to...

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