Dear valued patients and friends,
I am writing this letter to you all with love in my heart and bittersweet emotions. After great contemplation with my family, I am ready to announce my retirement. I have practiced dentistry for 42 years and found home in my Rancho Penasquitos practice for 20 of those years. I am incredibly proud to have seen my community through the doors of my practice. I have watched neighborhood kids become adults of their own, families grow, and I am eternally grateful that you all have trusted me with your dental health and have continued to support my local business over the years.
You all allowed me to live out my lifelong dream of becoming a leader in my community through dentistry and allowed me to show my children that anything is possible with hard work and incredible support from friends and family.
In recent months I suffered from bouts of Bell’s Palsy. While it left me with an improving facial imperfection, my ability to work was not hindered. I continued to do what I love to do, spending time with and taking care of my dental family. It took several follow up visits and numerous tests to find a possible origin of my bells palsy, and my family and I were struck with more dire news.
I was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer. I was quickly surrounded by a team of exceptional doctors to help guide my family and I to understand this disease and how to move forward. Within weeks I started both radiation and chemotherapy.
I would like you all to know that I am in good spirits and will fight through this.
Many of you have heard me speak proudly of my two daughters who have followed in my footsteps to become dentists themselves and I’m thankful to say they have both taken on the task of running the family practice.
Dr. Jenny received her dental degree from the University of California, San Francisco and then completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency working in a community-based clinic in Hawaii. Some of you may have had the pleasure of meeting her over the last few years and moreso recently in the office as I started to take time off for my health.
Dr. Kay received her dental degree from the Arizona School of Dental and Oral Health in Phoenix in addition to her Masters in Public Health simultaneously. She then pursued a General Practice Residency in several leading hospitals in New York City. She has been out there for a few years and is slowly making her way back to San Diego.
Just as I came into owning my own practice with passion and determination, my daughters have taken on the responsibilities with such excitement. I encourage you all to continue to support our family, and support my daughters, in this endeavor to continue the family business of providing exceptional dental care to our community.
I will do my best to keep you all informed on my progress as I fight this disease. Thank you for the continued prayers and good wishes.
All my love,
Dr. Evelyn Grace Neglerio
With Dr. Jenny (left) and Dr. Kay (right) early this past Sunday morning (7/11/21)