PDA PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD
DR . RENEE FENNELL
Outgoing president Dr . Gary Davis presented Dr . Fennell with the Public Service Award .
I am honored to present the 2022 PDA Public Service Award to Dr . Renee Fennell for her contributions to improving the oral health of the public through direct service ; her advocacy efforts for COVID-19 vaccinations , Medicare Part B and her work on diversity and inclusion initiatives to ensure all feel welcome and cared for in the dental office .
Leading by example , Renee has shown time and again that service to others and advocacy for patients is a dentist ’ s true calling .
A MOM-n-PA volunteer and founding board member since this mission began in 2013 , she took on a key role in recruiting volunteers for the 2021 mission at Temple University in Philadelphia and also served as the Pharmacy Lead , helping to spearhead an effort that treated 900 underserved patients in two days .
Advocating for dentists and patients , Dr . Fennell truly shined during the COVID-19 pandemic , as the city of Philadelphia had a separate , independent vaccine distribution from the rest of the state . She and other Philadelphia County Dental Society leaders worked tirelessly with the Philadelphia Department of Health to ensure that dentists were included in the top tier for vaccine distribution in Philadelphia and she also communicated to members which locations were offering vaccination appointments . Her efforts were vital to keeping dental offices open and treating patients .
Renee ’ s service on PDA ’ s Diversity and Inclusion Committee and her work as a Diversity Officer at Temple ’ s Kornberg School of Dentistry have been very important to advancing our mission to improve the oral health of the public , including people of all races , ethnic backgrounds , religious beliefs , sexual orientation , and socioeconomic backgrounds .
PDA is proud to recognize Dr . Fennell with the 2022 PDA Public Service Award and commends her outstanding efforts to support the needs of the dentists who provide dental care for the people of Philadelphia .
Congratulations !
Dr . Fennell ’ s acceptance speech :
My heart is filled with gratitude and appreciation . I thank the Almighty as well as the PDA under the leadership of president Dr . Gary Davis and the PDA membership for recognizing me with the 2022 Public Service Award . I was so surprised when Ms . Lisa Gottlieb , our Philadelphia County Dental Society ‘ s Administrative Assistant told me that our president , Dr . Janine Burkhardt , and the Board of Governors nominated me . I love working in First District . My heartfelt thanks to you all !
I also appreciate all of you who support me in all of my endeavors . I ’ m honored to be chosen for this award . It aligns with my purpose to heal , teach and inspire . I feel like I am a representative of all those around me who serve tirelessly and selflessly in making the world a better place for all . I share this award with you .
Service runs deep in my blood . I was born into a family of service . My father , Perry C . Fennell , Jr ., DDS , and mother , Gloria , “ volun-told ” us as young children . I sit on a few boards , but organized dentistry in all its forms has provided me the unique opportunity to live my passion - diversity and mentorship . So join me . I encourage everyone to serve . As Rumi once said , “ respond to every call that excites your spirit .”
JULY / AUGUST 2022 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 23