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By Donna Thoma, [email protected]
ROSCOMMON– After more than 25 years in dentistry, Dr. Cheryl Mitchell is preparing to trade her clinical coat for quiet mornings by the river with a good book in hand. With plans to kayak the AuSable, travel widely, and spend more time outdoors, she’s stepping into a long-awaited retirement, one she set as a goal before age 55 and is now achieving ahead of schedule.
Mitchell and her husband of 21 years, Tim McCarthy, are ready to embrace the change. McCarthy retired in 2025 from the Crawford County Road Commission, and together they’re planning a spring trip to Hawaii, along with future visits to national parks, the Swiss Alps, and destinations across the U.S. and Europe. After purchasing a home in Roscommon last year, the couple has been busy putting on the finishing touches, including McCarthy’s “man cave” garage. Once winter fades, landscaping and gardening projects await, along with a growing “honey-do” list, Mitchell jokes the list is already well past 100 items.
Originally from Hadley, Michigan, Mitchell knew early on she wanted to pursue dentistry. She studied at the University of Michigan-Flint and Lake Superior State University before earning her degree from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1998, where she was the youngest female in her class. She soon joined Woodland Family Dental, building a career defined by long-standing patient relationships and community care.
The couple has four children, Dylan, Carter, Brandon, and Gracie. Their youngest, Gracie, will graduate from Roscommon High School this year and plans to attend Michigan State University in the fall.
Mitchell credits her ability to retire early to finding the right successor in Dr. Curtis Edens, who officially purchased Woodland Family Dental on January 9, 2026. Originally from rural Oklahoma, Edens has been practicing dentistry since graduating from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry five years ago. His passion for small-town care was inspired by a hometown dentist who mentored youth and gave back generously to the community.
Edens plans to expand services at the practice, including root canals and extractions, and hopes to introduce advanced technology such as panoramic X-ray imaging and digitally designed dental restorations. He and his wife, Ashlee, were drawn to the area’s natural beauty and strong sense of community. The couple, along with their four young daughters, enjoy outdoor activities like camping, fishing, and paddleboarding, and quickly embraced life in Roscommon.
For the next few months, Mitchell and Edens will work side by side as patients transition to the new ownership. Though she looks forward to retirement, Mitchell says it’s less about stepping away and more about stepping into something new. Still, she admits she’ll deeply miss the patients and staff who have become like family over the years.
