Spotlight On…
Dr. Elizabeth Kutcipal
Our board president for 2019/20 is Dr. Elizabeth (Libby) Kutcipal, a maxillofacial surgeon with practice out of Ballard Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Seattle. Many of you had the opportunity to meet Libby at the 2019 Annual Meeting last March where she received the gavel from past-president Murray Jacobs. I emailed her a few questions for this month’s Member Spotlight. Here are her responses.
Why did you decide to become a maxillofacial surgeon?
I did a GPR at the University of Washington and had significant exposure to maxillofacial surgery. I took out more teeth in my first week of the GPR than I did in all of dental school. I knew it was where I was meant to be!
Do you engage in volunteer projects other than WSOMS?
I just returned from Nepal, traveling with a group called International Medical Relief. We provided care to many of the villagers along the Manaslu Circuit.
I also went to Vietnam a few years ago to provide care. It is amazing what can be done with so few resources! Around the holidays, I get my neighbors together to support some families through the YWCA.
Tell us about your family.
I live on a houseboat on Lake Union with my two dogs, Delilah and Lolo. They are truly my family. My mom is in Northern Michigan, where I grew up. My siblings are spread across the country.
What are your hobbies?
I have many hobbies. I like to work out, walk my dogs, hike, ski, travel, cook, boat, and the list goes on. To recharge, I plan my next adventure!
How did you end up in Seattle?
I came to Seattle for my GPR, then did my oral surgery training here as well. I left for a year, then came right back.
Do you have any big plans for the future?
I’m looking forward to a ski trip to Japan in 2020!
What do you hope to contribute by being president of WSOMS?
I hope to revitalize WSOMS and bring in some younger members!
Is there anything special or distinctive about you that WSOMS members may not know?
- I live in a floating home in Seattle and I have been active in the floating homes community.
- I used to ski race through high school and college. I still ski, but I’m way less competitive.
- I also like to backcountry ski. I hike up to ski down!