“
When I think of Camille, I will
always remember a wonderful
tradition in my life that she
started. In 2006 Camille and
her counterpart, the executive
director of the Puerto Rican
Dental Association, were talking
at a meeting of dental association
directors. Both are female, both
speak Spanish, so it was a natural
coming together. The annual
session of the Puerto Rican
Dental Association was held
every year in February in San
Juan. Why not, suggested the
Puerto Rican executive director
to Camille, promote the meeting
with Pennsylvania dentists? Get
them out of the cold northern
winter and transport them to a
beautiful, sunny, 80 to 85 degree
paradise with excellent continuing
education courses, fantastic hotels
and exquisite restaurants. Nancy
and I jumped at the opportunity
along with 15 or so of our fellow
colleagues. That year the meeting
was held at the Caribe Hilton Hotel.
I still remember going to dinner
with Camille and her husband,
Judge John Cherry, and John
declaring, ‘I need my pasta fix!’
The following year the number
from our state dwindled and
the meeting was transferred to
the beautiful new spectacular
Convention Center. Following
the lunch break during one day
of the meeting, I happened to be
standing behind a dentist of my
general age. We began to talk and
when he found out that I was from
Pennsylvania, he asked me if I knew
Dr Henry Bitar.
‘Oh, you mean Buzzy!’ I explained
that we were in the same dental
society and would be glad to give his
greeting to Buzzy. The doctor gave
me his card and I was startled at the
name. “You have the same name as
the Resident Commissioner (the one
non-voting member of the U.S. House
of Representatives). Dr Luis Fortuno
responded, “He’s my son!” We struck
up a friendship and the next year Luis
ran for governor of Puerto Rico and
was elected. The following year Dr
Bitar and his wife, Pat (my high school
classmate!) joined Nancy and me at
the February conference. Dr Fortuno
took the four of us to La Fortaleza, the
governor’s home/office in San Juan
where we met Governor Fortuno and
had a tour of the beautiful mansion.
Nancy and I continued this great
educational tradition for many
years, and after her death I kept
up the annual ritual with Leona. It
only stopped following the terrible
hurricane that the island suffered in
2017. Although we have missed for
two years, I am hoping that we can
resume this wonderful respite from
winter’s cold blast next year. Thank
you, Camille, for starting something
that has meant such a big part of
my life; not only for the educational
opportunities but also for the
expansion of my scope of friends
and colleagues.
“
Although I’ve only been the Bell/
PDAIS CEO for less than a year,
I’ve had numerous opportunities to
work with Camille. She has been
an incredible mentor to me with a
fierce determination to accomplish
goals, empower her staff and
lead by example. I will truly miss
working with her but I know she
has many more achievements in
her future and people to inspire.”
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.”
Rich Bell
May God grant you spectacular life
opportunities in your retirement!”
Dr. Jay Wells
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