Dr. Frederick Ballard
Bio:
Dr. Frederick Ballard was born and raised in Baltimore, MD, home of the Baltimore Ravens. After graduating from Milford Mill Academy, he joined the United States Army where he became a combat medic/dental assistant. During his time in the Army, he was stationed in Fort Riley Kansas, Camp Paige, Korea, and Fort Bragg, North Carolina, serving in the 82nd Airborne Division as a paratrooper.
After leaving military service, Dr. Ballard earned a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Once completing his undergraduate studies, he attended the prestigious Howard University College of Dentistry where he found his love for pediatric dentistry.
“During my senior year in dental school I was torn between endodontic and pediatric dentistry. Pediatric dentistry was the furthest thing from my mind until I realized that it was my true calling in life. It is truly a blessing that I found pediatric dentistry. Without this opportunity I would truly be incomplete.”
During Dr. Ballard’s two-year pediatric dental residency, Dr. Ballard met Dr. George Thomas, the Chairman of Howard University College of Dentistry’s pediatric dental program, who strongly influenced Dr. Ballard’s love of pediatric dentistry.
Five years ago, Dr. Ballard moved to South Jersey with his family. He took a position with a large dental group, where he sharpened his skills and learned to become the best pediatric dentist that he could be for his patients. Through the development of a special needs and hospital dentistry program, he was able to offer complete service to all his child/special needs patients to ensure they received the best treatment.
With a continued commitment to training and service, Dr. Ballard intends to serve his patients at Kool Koala Pediatric and Adolescent Dentistry with the latest and greatest techniques and materials, for the highest quality results. Dr. Ballard currently resides in Southern New Jersey with his wife Nia, daughter Jordan, son Mason, and their youngest son Raven. Spending time with family is his priority outside the office, but when given the chance, Dr. Ballard enjoys gardening, landscaping, and catching up with the Baltimore Ravens football team.
Quote: "Participating with Horizon aligns with our practice's mission of providing patient-centered, accessible, and affordable care. Horizon's commitment to improving health care outcomes supports our vision of delivering compassionate, comprehensive care to every patient we serve."
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A brand new policy that offers affordable Medicare Advantage plans with access to the Horizon Hospital Network and the Horizon Managed Care Network. Includes dental health benefits.
Horizon NJ Health Provider Newsletter
Professional Relations Representatives
Bonita Haines
NJ: Atlantic, Burlington, Bergen, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Salem, Hudson, Hunterdon, Warren
PA: Bucks, Delaware, Monroe, Northampton, Philadelphia, Pike
NY: Kings, Rockland
Phone: 1-973-953-9047
Email: bonita_haines@horizonblue.com
Virginia Rego
NJ: Essex, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union
NY: Bronx, New York, Orange, Richmond, Westchester
Phone: 1-973-941-2384
Horizon NJ Health Provider Field Representatives
Grace Marchese
Counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem
Phone: 262-946-4566
Email: grace.marchese@skygenusa.com
Tiffany Underwood
Counties: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, Warren
Phone: 973-699-7736
Meet Our Dental Directors
Commercial
Dr. Joan Monaco
Horizon NJ Health
Dr. Sam Wakim
Dr. Monaco's Bio
Joan Monaco, DMD, a student of Farleigh Dickenson University Dental School from 1987 – 1990, transferred to and graduated from UMDNJ – NJDS in 1991. Dr. Monaco was in private practice full-time and worked part time with the largest major insurance carrier before becoming full-time in-house in 2007. She left both private practice and the insurance industry to establish her own consulting firm until 2015 when she joined the NJDA as Director of Dental Benefits. Dr. Monaco currently oversees all dental operations for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey as the Director of Dental Operations under the Commercial Business Unit’s EXPAND line of business.
Dr. Wakim's Bio
Dr. Sam Wakim is the Dental Director for the Government Programs Division of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. He is a graduate of University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and earned a master’s degree in Dental Public Health from UMDNJ – School of Public Health. He is a staunch advocate for access to preventive services including sealants and fluoride to prevent dental decay and HPV vaccines to prevent oropharyngeal cancer in underserved communities. Prior to joining Horizon, Dr. Wakim served as Zufall Health Center’s Chief Dental Officer for 13 years. In addition to overseeing the dental department, Dr. Wakim established numerous initiatives addressing comprehensive health care needs. These included school-based education and screening programs, a dental residency program, on-the-job training initiatives, continuing education classes and integrated programs with the medical department. Before joining Zufall, he ran the school-based dental program at the Paterson Community Health Center and was the Dental Director for UMDNJ’s University Dental Center in Newton. He was named a Top Dentist by New Jersey Monthly Magazine, was recognized by the New Jersey Dental Association with the “Give Kids A Smile Pioneer Award,” and was designated a “Real Doc Hollywood” by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health.
Products are provided by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Horizon Insurance Company. Each company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The Horizon® name and symbols are registered marks of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. Communications may be issued by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey in its capacity as administrator of programs and provider relations for all its companies.
