PDA Annual Awards
The recipients of the PDA Recognition Award and the PDA Public Service Award received their awards on April 7 at the Board of Trustees Retirement Dinner at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, and were recognized during the Business Meeting held April 22 at Pennsylvania’ s Dental Meeting.
PDA Public Service Award – Dr. Kenneth A. Fetter
Outgoing president Dr. Herb Ray presented Dr. Kenneth Fetter with the 2017 PDA Public Service Award. The Annual Awards Committee selected Dr. Fetter for his charitable work treating the underserved in Chester County through creation and operation of The Grace Dental Clinic in Chester. The free clinic, open each Friday, has been operating for five years now.
Dr. Fetter’ s acceptance speech:
I want to thank members of the Second District Dental Association for nominating me for the 2017 PDA Public Service Award. And I thank the Awards Committee for selecting me for this prestigious recognition.
In 2009, my partner, Dallas Pulliam, and I were invited by a friend and patient to a golf outing at a local club. Not wanting to miss the opportunity to join friends for a nice day on the course, we accepted. As we met for drinks and dinner after the round, I met Foster Friess, I knew that he was manager of a local investment company, Brandywine Fund, and that he was a very active supporter of philanthropic causes. Our conversation quickly focused on the idea of creating an inner city dental clinic in Chester, Pa.
For a number of years I had attended a Bible study and had often thought of being involved in the mission field. When Foster asked if I would lead the effort to begin this clinic, he then said he would provide the funds to make it happen.
The clinic would be established as a part of World Impact, an urban ministry which had been in Chester and other U. S. cities. Through the effort and time given by many people and organizations, we converted an empty storeroom in the basement of the Frederick Douglas School into a modern two-operatory facility. We would call it the Grace Dental Clinic. When we opened the clinic for the first time on May 4, 2012, our mission was to provide basic dental care. However, another goal was to provide spiritual care as well. We hoped that we might change lives and subsequently help change the community.
Reflecting over these five years that we have been providing services, I believe that we are indeed having a local impact. In 2015, the professional soccer team, the Philadelphia Union, recognized us as Hometown Heroes for our contribution to the Chester community.
Around the same time, there was a change in the F. Douglas School and Grace Clinic management. As World Impact departed, Dr. Rev, Herb Lusk and his greater Exodus Ministry undertook leadership. The community development arm of his church is called People for People. I believe that we will have an even greater impact in Chester and the surrounding communities as we grow together.
This clinic effort has been one where many individuals have volunteered considerable time and resources. I am so thankful for all of them but I need to publicly thank Kathy Lee Chandler. She has been alongside me this entire experience and truly has been invaluable.
This opportunity to provide our skills has been special. It has stimulated my life to see how many people in need are receiving our care. God is truly overseeing this effort. I would like to conclude by reading a verse from Galatians 6:2. It says,“ Carry each other’ s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Thank you.
18 JULY / AUGUST 2017 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL