A Tribute to Camille Kostelac-Cherry, Esq.
“
Camille Kostelac-Cherry has
taken the Pennsylvania Dental
Association through organizational
struggles, legislative battles and
administrative challenges over the
course of her 25 years with the
organization.
She has worked with dozens of
presidents, hundreds of leaders
and thousands of members to
ensure that PDA remains an
effective, growing force for patients
and dentists in Pennsylvania. She
has also distinguished herself as
a national leader in the area of
legislative policy and insurance
regulations.
On a personal note, Camille has
been a friend and a personal
mentor to me. We have bonded
over a series of life challenges
together and have managed to help
each other in times of duress.
I have also watched as she
extended her family touch to
other young people who needed
guidance, support, or just someone
to talk to.
Camille Kostelac-Cherry is
smart, tough, kind and fair. She
is a perfect role model for young
women and men who seek to
become leaders.
She was always ‘there’ for me and
I have no doubt that we will
remain colleagues and friends in
whatever adventures lie ahead.”
Peg Callahan-Kuskin,
McNees-Winter Group LLC
36
JU LY/AU GU ST 2019 | P EN N S YLVA N IA D EN TA L J O UR N A L
“
Camille has been a resourceful
leader for the PDA over these last
25 years. I came onto the Board of
Trustees in 1996 just a few years
after she was hired. I observed her
growth from an Executive Director
into a stellar CEO during the next
four years. A few years later, as
Speaker of the House and then as
President of PDA, I came to rely on
her input as I faced many decisions
and difficult situations.
Through her years as our CEO,
she guided many decisions by
the BOT. She was instrumental in
creating our position of influence
as PDA became the recognized
dental issues leader on ‘the hill.’ She
steered the major renovation of
our Harrisburg Central Office, and
recruited and inspired a great staff
that continues to work for all the
member dentists in the Common-
wealth of Pennsylvania.
Camille has been an asset to PDA
with her tireless work and has left
her mark on our profession. I wish
her and her husband, Judge John,
all the best in the years to come.”
Dr. Dennis Charlton,
PDA President 2011-2012
“
I want to start out by thanking
Camille for her 25 years of service
to PDA. I count it as a privilege to
have worked closely with her over
many of those years. Camille’s heart
has always been beating for the
benefit of the PDA. Her leadership
skills with the staff, her insights
into what is best for PDA, her long
range planning, and her negoti-
ating skills will be missed. As we
prepared budgets and planned
for the future, Camille was always
insightful with possible solutions
for challenges that arose.
With PDAIS, her wisdom has helped
us form the organization and
guided us to an organization with
tremendous potential for growth
to serve the insurance needs of our
members and provide non-dues
income into the future as we face
financial challenges.”
Dr. Samuel Selcher