Chairman of the Board, UnifiedSmiles
Spirit of UDM: Alumn Achievement Award
2015
Bio:
Walter Knysz, D.D.S., ’75 successfully combined his knowledge of dentistry with his business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit to develop MIDA Dental Plans (“MIDA”), Great Expressions Dental Centers (“GEDC”) and UnifiedSmiles. Currently, he is Chairman of the Board of UnifiedSmiles and owner of Knysz Holdings, an international corporate development and strategic planning firm, which includes a real estate development arm, an award winning boutique resort in the Turks & Caicos, a French vineyard and a wine import and distribution company.
Dr. Knysz earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Wayne State University and his doctorate in dental surgery from the University of Detroit School of Dentistry in 1975. In 1982, Dr. Knysz founded MIDA and GEDC. Both MIDA and GEDC have been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of America’s fastest growing private companies. MIDA focused on providing high-quality dental services to individuals, businesses and unions in a managed care environment. The company was sold to Blue Shield of Pennsylvania in 1996.
Under Dr. Knysz’ leadership, GEDC, based in Bloomfield Hills, MI, successfully grew to more than 200+ dental offices in seven states with approximately $220 million in annual revenue. In 2008, Dr. Knysz sold a controlling interest in GEDC and remained very active in the business as a Board member until the sale of his remaining interest in 2011.In 2012, Dr. Knysz established UnifiedSmiles, a value-added dental resource organization that works with independent dental practitioners providing the resources to obtain exclusive purchasing power, networking, professional and staff development tools. He continues to develop the strategy for business expansion and leads the members of the UnifiedSmiles executive team.
A strong supporter of Catholic education, Dr. Knysz is a board member of Madonna University, Ave Maria University, the Catholic League and Thomas More Law Center. Dr. Knysz is managing partner of White Stork Capital, an international private equity firm specializing in health care investments in Eastern Europe and also serves on the dental board of Shore Capital Partners, a Chicago- based private equity firm that invests in health care related entities.
Distinguished graduate of the School of Dentistry, Dr. Knysz was honored with the Spirit of UDM: Alumni Achievement Award on April 17, 2015.
Citation:
Walter Knysz successfully combined his knowledge of dentistry with his business acumen and entrepreneurial spirit to develop MIDA Dental Plans, Great Expressions Dental Centers and UnifiedSmiles.
He is recognized for providing high-quality dental services in a managed care environment and for creating a dental practice management company that provided financial and administrative service to more than 200 dental offices throughout the country. Since founding UnifiedSmiles in 2012, he has provided independent dental practitioners with access to obtain exclusive purchasing power, networking, and professional and staff development tools.
His incomparable skills in strategic planning and corporate development led to the establishment of Knysz Holdings, which currently operates in three countries.
As an unwavering advocate of Catholic education, he generously gives his time and talents as a board member of Madonna University, Ave Maria University in Florida, the Catholic League and Thomas More Law Center.