MEET STEPHEN J. MERAW, DDS, MS
Dr. Stephen Meraw received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Detroit Mercy, where he was Senior Class President and recipient of the Thurbor Alumni Award for Clinical Excellence. He then completed his Internship in Hospital Dentistry and Residency in Periodontics at the the top two medical institutions in the country, the Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Mayo Clinic, respectively. He also earned a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, and later a second Master’s degree in Health Care Management from Harvard University.
Dr. Meraw is a recipient of the Kramer Scholar Award, which is awarded each year to the top clinical Periodontal graduate in the United States from the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation. He is a Board Certified Specialist, also known as a Diplomate by the American Board of Periodontology, and has served on the faculty of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry for the past 16 years.
An active member of organized dentistry, Dr. Meraw has served in many leadership positions (below), as well as an active volunteer, consultant to the Veterans’ Administration, and published author.
- President, Michigan Periodontal Association
- Trustee, American Academy of Periodontology
- Trustee, Michigan Dental Association
- Past President, Bunting Periodontal Society
- Past President, Detroit District Dental Society
- Past President, Midwest Society of Periodontology
- Past President, Detroit District Dental Society Eastern
- Past Examiner, American Board of Periodontology
Outside of his dental interests, Dr. Meraw is a husband and father of three. He has coached baseball, softball and soccer, and is a regular runner & tennis player.
MEET ALEXANDRA B. PLONKA, DDS, MS
Dr. Alexandra Plonka completed her Residency and Master of Science in Periodontics at the University of Michigan, where she also earned her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees. She is a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. Prior to dental school, she worked as an engineer in medical device manufacturing. Her interest in dentistry was inspired by her grandfather, Francis P. Blake, DDS, who practiced in Grosse Pointe for over 25 years.
Dr. Plonka has been honored for academic and clinical excellence. While in dental school, she was recognized as the top first-year dental student by the dental honor fraternity OKU. She graduated in the top of her class, receiving the American Academy of Periodontology dental student award. As a periodontics resident, she received the Michigan Periodontal Association Outstanding Soft Tissue Case Award, the Benson Duff Scholarship, and the Graduate Periodontics Teaching Fellowship. Dr. Plonka completed her thesis project on periodontal bone regeneration, and published scientific articles on tissue engineering and dental implants. She is a member of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry periodontics faculty.
Dr. Plonka has served on several American Academy of Periodontology committees. She is a member of local and national dental organizations such as the Michigan Periodontal Society, Michigan Dental Association, Detroit District Dental Society Eastern branch, and the Macomb Dental Society.
Outside of periodontics, Dr. Plonka enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, running, skiing, cooking, yoga, and Michigan Football.
MEET Andrea Lopez-Torres, DMD, MS
Dr. Andrea Lopez-Torres was born in Lima, Peru and moved to the United States when she was 7 years old. She grew up with her family in Puerto Rico, where she completed her undergraduate education and received her Doctorate in Dental Medicine from the University of Puerto Rico, Medical Science Campus. To further her expertise, she moved to New York and completed a one-year General Practice Residency at Montefiore Medical Center. She received her Master’s degree and Certificate in Periodontics from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry and St. John Health. In this three-year graduate program she received training in diagnosis, treatment planning periodontal disease, soft and hard tissue grafting/augmentation and dental implant placement.
Dr. Lopez-Torres is a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. She is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association and Michigan Dental Association. She keeps up to date attending national and international conferences, and is eager to always provide the best treatment for her patients. She is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Outside of periodontics, Dr. Lopez-Torres enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends, going to the beach, traveling and cooking.