Our Providers
Melinda M. Hochgesang, DMD (Dr. Mindy)
Dr. Mindy grew up in a rural area just south of Milan, IL. She graduated as the Valedictorian of Rockridge High School where she excelled as a high school cross country and track runner. After graduation she attended Indiana University at Bloomington, where she earned All-American honors in cross country, and also received her bachelor’s degree in biology with a minor in chemistry. She also received a certificate from the Liberal Arts and Management Program in the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University. In her second year of college, Dr. Mindy developed an interest in dentistry and decided to apply to dental school. She went on to earn her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Southern Illinois School of Dental Medicine in Alton, IL in 2009.
During her time at Indiana University, Dr. Mindy met her husband, David who also majored in biology. He went on to become a high school biology teacher and has served the Quad Cities community in this role since graduation. Dr. Mindy married David in 2007 and together they have built a beautiful family with their children; Hannah who was born in 2011, Natalie, born in 2013 and Grant, who completed their family in 2017.
Dr. Mindy is passionate about business ownership and dentistry and uses her platform as a dentist to educate and make a difference in her patients and the community. She often goes to schools and even presents to other medical providers about her special topics of interest. Dr. Mindy loves to connect with her patients and employees. She is proficient at placing esthetic crowns, fillings, removing teeth, and treating lip and tongue-ties. She views her local community as her mission field and is always looking for opportunities to serve those in need, taking action to fulfill needs that would otherwise go unmet.
Dr. Mindy has enjoyed owning dental practices with her brother and creating a family atmosphere amongst all employees. She prides herself in making both her practice and her family top priorities in her life and encourages the same for all team members. When Dr. Mindy has time for herself, she loves to run and has completed five marathons. She also enjoys mentoring other dentists and being involved with her children’s education. Dr. Mindy promotes reading and education however possible- at times even exchanging book suggestions with her patients! She is also a huge supporter of children and young adults looking into the field of dentistry and encourages interest in the field she, herself, is so passionate about!
Dr. Mindy can’t wait to see your smile!
Craig Peterson, DMD
Dr. Craig Peterson grew up in Milan, IL just outside of the Quad Cities. Beginning in high school, he excelled in science and went on to major in Biology at Augustana College. Craig graduated Salutatorian from Rockridge High School in 2005 and Suma Cum Laude from Augustana College in 2009. He then attended Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. It was during this time that he met his now wife, Lauren. They married in July of 2011. After graduating dental school in 2012, the Petersons moved to Racine, WI where Craig worked as a dentist at a community health center. There he had an incredible opportunity to serve patients from all walks of life and provide a wide variety of dental procedures. Lauren has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Drury University and, while living in Wisconsin, earned her master’s degree in social work from Loyola University Chicago. Lauren currently works as a counselor in the Quad Cities area with a focus on promoting healthy families and marital well-being.
In October of 2014, Craig and Lauren welcomed their first child, Eliana Rae Peterson. The following year, they moved back to the Quad Cities to partner with his sister, Dr. Mindy, and planted roots in the QC community. In 2019 the Petersons were blessed with adopting their son Cael Adam Matthew Peterson. Again, the very next year, in 2020 they had the surprise blessing of adopting their youngest daughter Virginia Irene Rose Peterson.
Alongside quality time with family, Craig enjoys running, hunting, and cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals, Denver Broncos, and Indiana Hoosiers. Craig and Lauren are active in their church community and currently lead the children’s ministry.
Dr. Peterson is proficient in and enjoys all aspects of dentistry. Over the years he has developed a passion for medical mission trips, providing dental care for those without access. He has served in this capacity on six different trips to Honduras.
Dr. Peterson looks forward to serving the community and meeting you!
Dr. Peterson looks forward to caring for you and your family.
Jacquelyn Murphy, DDS (Dr. Jackie)
Dr. Jackie grew up in Palatine, IL, but moved to Cedar Rapids, IA at 13. At a young age, she became an avid runner and swimmer. In high school, she enjoyed the health sciences and felt a calling to the medical field from a young age. It didn’t take her long to narrow it down to two potential career choices: veterinarian or dentist.
Ultimately, she knew she was too much of an animal lover and would end up with a zoo if she went that route, and genuinely loves forming relationships and helping people. She found after shadowing numerous dental offices in high school that this allowed her to not only relieve people of pain, give back to her community, and work with her hands, but also form those connections with patients that she values and cannot wait to continue to form more connections.
Following high school graduation in 2013, Dr. Jackie went to Luther College to study pre-dental as well as to swim for the team. After a successful career in swimming, a Biology and Liberal Arts degree with a chemistry minor, she graduated from Luther in 2017 and moved to Iowa City to follow her dreams of becoming a dentist.
Dr. Jackie graduated in the spring class of 2021 with the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. She soon married her best friend, Stephen, and quickly joined the Cornerstone Family Dentistry team as an associate dentist. One of the things she most enjoys about Cornerstone is the family environment and her ability to care for patients as if they were an extension of her own family.
Dr. Jackie is a respected member of the clinical team at Cornerstone Family Dentistry with a focus on general dentistry and frenectomies and loves seeing patients of all ages. You will quickly sense her dedication to your care and her commitment to make sure things are “just right” for each and every one of her patients. She is passionate about our local communities as well as fostering relationships with her future patients alongside Dr. Peterson and Dr. Mindy. She cannot wait to meet you!
Dr. Jackie looks forward to caring for you and your family.
