The Aspen Group Recognized Among Top Learning and Development Teams at 2026 OnCon Icon Awards

Recognition highlights TAG's investment in team members at every stage of their careers and its work to break down barriers to care

CHICAGO, Nov. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Aspen Group (TAG), one of the largest health care support organizations in the United States, today announced that its Learning & Development (L&D) team has been named a Top 10 Learning & Development Team by the OnCon Icon Awards. Honorees are chosen by public vote, with industry peers and the broader professional community deciding who earns a place. The recognition reflects how widely TAG's approach to learning and development is valued inside its network and beyond.

"Breaking down barriers to care starts with the people who deliver it. At TAG, we invest in the growth of every team member, from their first day through every step of their careers, because when people have the tools and support to grow, patients benefit." said Katie Stangel, vice president of learning and development at TAG. "We're proud that so many people recognize the work our team does every day."

The Aspen Group University (TAG U) is the foundation of that work. In 2025, TAG U offered 97 continuing education (CE) courses, and 4,721 individuals, including 1,475 dentists, participated in at least one. Those learners were issued more than 47,700 continuing education units (CEUs). Alongside onboarding, clinical development, leadership coaching and hands-on education, these programs give team members room to build skills, pursue their goals and grow into new roles. These programs enable doctors and clinical teams across the network to rely on TAG U to support consistent, high-quality patient care.

"The Aspen Group University supported me from the day I joined the Aspen Dental network through becoming a practice owner, with someone in my corner at every stage in my career," said Whitney White, DDS, Aspen Dental practice owner in Las Vegas. "Now as a part of TAG U's mentorship program, I can be that person for my colleagues, so more clinicians have the confidence to grow and more patients can get the care they need."

Learning at TAG also reaches the communities its teams serve. At the TAG Oral Care Center for Excellence (OCC), clinicians receive advanced clinical training while underserved individuals in surrounding communities receive free oral care. That work is one part of TAG's five-year, $100 million commitment to expand access to care for underserved patients, which also includes community partnerships, local office initiatives and signature programs such as Aspen Dental's Day of Service, held Nov. 7^th at participating offices.

Breaking down barriers to care has been central to TAG's work from the start, and that work depends on the people who deliver it. Through TAG U and its broader learning and development initiatives, TAG is helping build a stronger, more confident team prepared to meet the evolving needs of patients.

About The Aspen Group (TAG)

The Aspen Group (TAG) was built on the idea of bringing better health care to more people. Headquartered in Chicago, TAG supports independent health care practices operating more than 1,400 locations in 46 states through five consumer healthcare brands: Aspen Dental®, ClearChoice Dental Implant Center®, WellNow Urgent Care®, Chapter Aesthetic Studio℠ and Lovet Pet Health Care ℠. TAG invests in its team members through The Aspen Group University (TAG U), providing clinical training, leadership development and career advancement opportunities across its network. For more information, visit teamtag.com.

SOURCE TAG - The Aspen Group