If dentistry were simply about cleaning or whitening your teeth, that would be one thing. But for dentists Keith Suchy, Tom Sullivan, and Jim Sheldon, restoring someone’s smile is truly “worth its weight in gold.”
Anyone who has been a patient of Suchy, Sullivan, or Sheldon knows they are deeply committed to their patients and this commitment bleeds into the Westchester community. The roots of this story stretch back to the earliest days of their careers and the legacy of local dentists who came before them. It began with a shared vision and a series of serendipitous connections that would lead to decades of dedicated care in our community.
Drs. Keith Suchy and Tom Sullivan met during freshman orientation at dental school and quickly formed a bond as colleagues and friends. After graduation, they hoped to open a practice in the western suburbs but struggled to find the right fit. Their first break came when Dr. Sullivan met Dr. Sol Goldman from Loyola University. That connection led them to Dr. Bob Price, a long-time Westchester dentist preparing to retire. Dr. Goldman and his colleague, lab technician Tom Kowalkowski, formed a corporation called Somato and purchased Dr. Price's practice.
They offered the opportunity to Drs. Suchy and Sullivan to become associates with nothing more than a handshake—a testament to the trust and integrity of those involved. In 1982, the pair began practicing in a modest office with just two dental chairs. Over the years, they expanded both the practice and their team at their Highridge Parkway location.
Dr. Jim Sheldon’s story is strikingly similar to Suchy and Sullivan. Encouraged by the beloved local dentist Dr. Antolak (who practiced near the former Tasty Freeze), Dr. Sheldon pursued dental school, where Drs. Suchy and Sullivan were among his instructors. Fate intervened again when Dr. Sullivan needed a ride home one day—Dr. Sheldon gave him a lift, and a friendship was born.
That friendship led Dr. Sheldon to Dr. Bill Kort, and in 1989, he became an associate in his practice—again, sealed with a handshake. Dr. Sheldon went on to build a successful practice on Cermak Road while also contributing countless hours of service to Westchester. Drs. Goldman, Price, and Kort weren’t just professional mentors; they were community leaders who emphasized that practicing dentistry in Westchester also meant being part of the Westchester community. They encouraged their protégés to join the Westchester Chamber of Commerce and to get involved in civic life—and that’s exactly what they did.
Over the years, Drs. Suchy, Sullivan, and Sheldon have held leadership roles in the Chamber, Rotary Club, Westchester Baseball and Softball, their local parishes, and on the Police and Fire Pension Boards. They’ve volunteered locally at the People’s Resource Center and even participated in international missions in Honduras. Professionally, they’ve served in the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, and Chicago Dental Society. When Dr. Kort served as president of the Chicago Dental Society, he selected Dr. Suchy as his program chair—and when Dr. Suchy later became president, he tapped Dr. Sheldon for the same role. Their professional and personal bonds have grown stronger over the decades. For many Westchester residents, however, it’s their work with the Westchester Fun Fest and the Veterans Run that brings the biggest smiles.
Recently, the three dentists made their longtime collaboration official. With Dr. Sullivan preparing for retirement, Drs. Suchy and Sullivan sold their practice to Dr. Sheldon, combining their teams at the current location at the corner of Highridge and Roosevelt. Together, they now lead a staff of 14—many of whom have been with them for over 20 years, and some for as long as 36! The dedicated team includes Wendy, Lulu, Michelle, Deanna, Nicole, Dr. Albert, Carolyn, Jessica, Leah, Janet, and Drs. Arnashus, Lychyk, and Russo. The office also features an on-site dental lab to enhance care and service.
Westchester is truly fortunate to have professionals like Drs. Suchy, Sullivan, and Sheldon —people who have spent more than 40 years not only caring for our community’s smiles but helping shape the spirit of the Village itself.
Drs. Sheldon, Sullivan, and Suchy 1200 Highridge Parkway, Westchester, IL 60154
Phone: 708/562-4474
https://www.facebook.com/Sullivansuchydental