JBLM DENTAC Leadership

Colonel David R. Maxwell

Commander, Joint Base Lewis-McChord Dental Activity

Colonel David R. Maxwell is a native of Holly Springs, MS and a 1996 graduate of Alcorn State University. He was awarded the Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from Meharry Medical College in 2005. Colonel Maxwell completed a General Practice Residency at Metro Nashville General Hospital in 2006. He served as the Director of Dental Services at the Martin Luther King Family Clinic located in Dallas, TX from 2006-2009 until he established a private practice, Maximum Smiles Dental Center, which he operated as CEO/Owner Dentist in Rockwall, TX.

Colonel Maxwell has been a proud member of our Armed Forces since joining the Mississippi Army National Guard at the age of 17 as an M60A3 Armored Tank Crewman. His service has taken him to Tennessee where he served as a Medical Service Corp Officer, while he was a student at Meharry. In 2009 as a member of the Texas Army National Guard; he deployed as the Brigade Dental Surgeon for the 56th Stryker Brigade, 28th Infantry Division, to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During that deployment, he was awarded the Combat Medic Badge (CMB) for his actions under fire of the enemy. His Professional Military Education include the Officer’s Basic Course, Captain’s Career Course, and the Army’s Command and General Staff College.

Colonel Maxwell is a graduate of the Army’s 2-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program, where he was also awarded the master’s degree in Oral Biology from Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). COL Maxwell recently received an appointment as an Assistant Professor at USUHS. He currently serving as the Commander of U.S. Dental Health Activity- Ft. Sill as well as the Chief Academic Officer (Dean) for the 1-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program, and Chief Dental Officer (CDO) Reynolds Army Health Clinic. COL Maxwell is married to his college sweetheart, the former Yvonne P. McIntosh who is also a graduate of Alcorn State University and they have two beautiful daughters, McKelvie and Gabrielle. McKelvie is currently a third-year dental student at Meharry Medical College, and Gabrielle is a sophomore at Tennessee State University. COL Maxwell considers himself a servant leader and considers it a privilege to lead our Nation’s most precious asset- its sons and daughters!

First Sergeant Cristina Simkins

Senior Enlisted Advisor, Joint Base Lewis-McChord Dental Activity

First Sgt. Cristina Simkins assumed responsibility as the Senior Enlisted Leader of the Joint Base Lewis McCord Dental Health Activity on Nov. 13, 2023. She is originally from Arizona. She enlisted in the United States Army in October 2002 and attended Basic Training/Advanced Individual Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. She had a break in service after her first enlistment and served in the Army Reserve until August 2007, when she came back onto active duty as a Dental Specialist. First Sgt. Simkins’ previous assignment was as a Senior Operations NCO (CUOPS/FUOPS) at Medical Readiness Command, East G-3/5/7, Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

First Sgt. Simkins’ assignments include Administrative Specialist, 501st Support Group, 19th Theater Support Command, Camp Red Cloud, South Korea; Administrative Finance Specialist, I Corps, Fort Lewis, Washington; Dental Specialist, 7229th MSU, Fort Lewis, Washington; Dental Specialist, 202nd BSB, 4BDE, 2ID; Dental Specialist, DENTAC Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, NCOIC/Training/Ops NCO, DENTAC Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Drill Sergeant, Company C, 3rd Battalion, 10th Infantry, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Training/Operations NCO/ Senior Enlisted Leader DENTAC Fort Eustis, Virginia; and Senior Operations NCO (CUOPS/FUOPS), Medical Readiness Command, East, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She has deployed to FOB Warhorse, Iraq, and supported Exercise Balikatan in the Philippines.

First Sgt. Simkins’ military and civilian education include Basic Leader Course, Advanced Leader Course, Senior Leader Course (commandant’s list), Master Leader Course (commandant’s list), Company Commander/First Sergeant Pre-Command Course, Force Management Orientation Course, 70H - Health Service Plans/Operations/Intelligence Security/Training Course, Drill Sergeant Academy, Master Fitness Trainer Course, Master Resilience Training & MRT Medical Course, Battle Staff, SHARP Foundation Course, Digital Training Management System Course, Dental Management Development Course, Equal Opportunity Leaders Course, Unit Prevention Leader Course, Field Management of Chemical/Biological Casualty Course, Field Sanitation Team Certification Course, Combatives Level 1 Course, and Combat Lifesaver Course. First Sgt. Simkins earned her Associate of Arts General Studies degree from Hawaii Pacific University and her Bachelor of Science degree in Healthcare Management from Park University.

First Sgt. Simkins’ military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal (1 Silver OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2 Silver OLC), Meritorious Unit Commendation, Sergeant Audie Murphy Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (5th award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 4), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency, and Norwegian Foot March Badge.