Mrs . Lana Dishler pins the past president ' s pin on her husband .
We decided to expand the conference to include the board of trustees and the newly appointed GTF . I had read Mary ’ s book and knew that she addresses the problems that most associations are encountering . The GTF came away from that conference with a framework of a governance model that appears to address the issues that we are facing . The GTF believes that if we adopt this model , we will become more effective , more efficient and will make the PDA sustainable into the future . I hope you will give careful consideration to its report .
My predecessors had been laying the groundwork for a legislative slam-dunk . We had been working on a bill that would require medical insurers to pay for general anesthesia when needed for children six and under as well as special needs adults . We also were working on a bill to get rid of the non-covered services clause being used in many participation contracts . Finally , we were trying to modify a mandatory malpractice insurance bill . Soon after I was installed as President , we had a great turnout for the Day on the Hill , our members participated in the e-mail alerts and wrote to their legislators , and we hit pay dirt . We were successful on all three bills . However , we are not resting on our laurels . We are active in having a bill introduced to allow patients to assign their benefits to their dentist , regardless of their participation status . We are trying to restore the funding for the Donated Dental Services program in which many of you are willing to volunteer your dental services . We just need the funding from the state to hire two social workers to screen and assign the patients . We are also trying to have the adult Medicaid services restored . We have been so successful with these initiatives because of our members ’ participation . Kudos go to the Winter Group for their advice and lobbying efforts . I hope you all will consider either making or increasing your contribution to the PADPAC . Without those contributions , we cannot go to fundraising events where we meet legislators and build relationships .
This year , Pennsylvania dentists will embark on a new , very exciting project : MOM-N-PA . This is a dental mission for the underserved . Under the leadership of our chair , Dr . Gary Davis , we have rented the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia . We will fill it with one hundred and twentyfive fully equipped dental units . Five hundred dentists and hygienists will volunteer their services to give free dental care to two thousand patients . This will go far in helping needy individuals . We will also educate the decision makers in the legislature about dentists ’ willingness to help the underserved . But , we need the state to be our partner . If you haven ’ t already volunteered for this project , please do so before you leave the Hershey Hotel . We hope to make this an annual event , perhaps moving it each year to a different locale in Pennsylvania .
I have enjoyed my year as President of this distinguished association . We have many members who give much of their time to make this a great association . I treasure the time I spent with them . We have a great staff led by our CEO , Camille Kostelac Cherry . I wish our incoming President , Don Hoffman good luck . And , if you will allow me a personal note … my beloved wife Lana has supported me throughout our marriage but most especially this year , and I will be eternally grateful to her .
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