Partnership preserves patient options for independent dentistry

by loywv

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Dr. John Walker Family Dental Care in Johnstown has a new name and partnership with Dr. Jesse Cooper.

The practice at 307 State St. is now Walker-Cooper Family Dental Care.

The two dentists entered a contract in June after Cooper graduated from dental school from the University of Pittsburgh.

Walker opened his practice in December 1991.

Cooper said he is learning from Walker’s experience, and Walker said he is learning from Cooper’s recent education.

“There are so many new things on the horizons of dentistry that Dr. Cooper brings to the table,” Walker said.

The partnership in an independently owned dentistry practice is a rarity at a time when dental school graduates, saddled with debt, often choose to enter corporate-owned dentistry operations, Walker said.

“Personally, I feel very fortunate,” he said.

“I’ve found someone who is going to continue working with me until I’m not working anymore, and my patients will then know him and trust him. It will be an easy transition at that point.”

Walker and Cooper are both alumni of Bishop McCort Catholic High School and have spent many years coaching sports at the school.

“I am from the area, my wife is from the area, and we have deep roots in Johnstown,” Cooper said.

Walker and Cooper have known each other for years, through coaching at Bishop McCort.

“I like the legacy he’s laid out in dentistry for the town and I’d like to continue that,” Cooper said. “We have a few years to work together and for me to learn the business side of things, and it means a lot to me that he is bringing me in to learn from him and carry on the legacy of his private practice in Johnstown. There’s not many left.”

Walker has upgraded his facility at 307 State St. in Southmont Borough with new technology in preparation for the new partnership.

“Every day we have patients from Somerset, Altoona, Windber. We even have people who come from Pittsburgh, because there is such a shortage of general dentists in the area,” Walker said.

“When I first opened, I think there might have been seven dentists, at least, in the surrounding mile or two area, and we are down to maybe three of us now. So it certainly has changed.”

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