We’re excited to share highlights from the 2nd edition of our Legacy Ledger alumni newsletter which features two exceptional alumni who have impacted our community significantly.
Dr. Steve Nale (NAHS, ’67):A dedicated family physician for over 40 years, Dr. Nale has served as Chief of Staff at Floyd Memorial Hospital and played an active role in numerous community organizations. He continues to inspire with his ongoing involvement in music and education.
Dr. Dennie Jenkins (FCHS, ’79):
Excerpt from the October 2020 Legacy Ledger (Issue 2):
This column is intended to share with you some of the great NAHS and FCHS alumni and their contributions to our community, our nation and the world. In each newsletter, we want you to meet… or let us re-introduce you to… some special people whose education began with the New Albany-Floyd County School system.
In this, the second edition of this column, you will read about an extraordinary physician and a very special dentist. Each has done so much more than practicing his profession, devoting so very much of themselves to ways of making Southern Indiana the great place that so many of us cherish.
Introduction and profiles contributed by Rex Bickers, FCHS ‘70
Steve Nale earned a scholarship at NAHS, awarded by the Floyd County Medical Society and he went on to make its supporters proud by graduating from the University of Louisville (MD) in 1974. He has served patients as a personal physician (family practice) for over forty years, and as a leader in the local medical community for most of that same time span. He has served Floyd Memorial Hospital twice as Chief of staff and also eight years on the Board of Trustees, three years as Chairman. He has served on the U of L (School of Medicine) faculty, and subsequently in the same capacity for the IU School of Medicine. For over thirty years, Dr. Nale has been recognized for tirelessly serving on countless boards of directors, including the Riverfront Musicale Committee, Develop New Albany, the Riverfront Heritage Cultural Center Advisory Committee and the Floyd County Council for the Arts. He has also served as the official NAHS team physician since 1980. He earned the Physician Community Service award from the Indiana State Medical Association fully twenty years ago. Steve and his wife Sharon have three grown daughters.
We asked Steve: “What special opportunities did your years at NAHS provide to you and what impact has there been on your life, as a result?” He answered: “I played bassoon in the orchestra at New Albany and the Louisville Youth Orchestra. And I still do, as a bassoon player in the IU Southeast Concert Band.”
Upon graduation from FCHS, Dennis “Dennie” Jenkins attended Indiana State University earning a BS in Biology in 1983. He went on to earn his DDS from Indiana University School of Dentistry in 1988. Creating a unique dental experience with Designing Smiles in 1988, Dennie has created smiles for 32 years in Sellersburg. From 1999-2009, Dennie traveled the country teaching cosmetic dentistry to dentists from all over the world. Dennie remains active in the local dental community as a member of the SIDA, IDA, ADA, Spear Study Club and AACA. Dennie and his wife of 29 years, Jolie (FCHS 1987) reside in Floyds Knobs where they raised their two children, Devin and Gabbi. Devin (FCHS 2013) attended IPFW, playing golf while pursuing an MBA in Finance. He now resides in Sellersburg with his wife, Kassie (FCHS 2013) and daughter, Wrenley. Gabbi (FCHS 2016) is a Senior Softball player at IU where she is studying education. Dennie’s favorite hobbies include gardening, golf, and the travels required to chase his kids’ sports. Dennie and his family attend Northside Christian Church.
We asked Dennie: “How would you describe your high school experience?” He answered: “Floyd Central was a special place to attend both academically and athletically. I was so well prepared for college and beyond, shaped by those early years at FCHS. I would later get to coach softball at FC and I can assure you that Floyd Central is still leading the pack.”
Read the entire October 2020 Legacy Ledger (Issue 2).