Meet Your PDA President Dr . Richard R . Grossman
Dr . Grossman has maintained a private practice in Kingston ( Luzerne County ) for the last 45 years . Prior to becoming PDA president , he served on the PDA Board of Trustees , representing the Third District , and previously served as a board member for Pennsylvania Dental Association Insurance Services , Inc , including as vice president . Locally , his leadership included terms as president of both the Third District Dental Society and Luzerne County Dental Society .
After receiving his undergraduate degree in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh , Dr . Grossman earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Georgetown University in 1978 and opened his practice in Kingston . In addition to his three decades-plus of leadership in various dental organizations , he has devoted much of his time to volunteering at community and charitable organizations . He has been a longtime volunteer for Volunteers in Medicine Dental clinic in Wilkes-Barre , and is also a volunteer for MOM-n-PA Dental Missions , as well as a past president of Wilkes-Barre East Rotary Club .
PDJ : When you reflect on your career and your leadership journey , what does leading the association as PDA president mean to you ?
DR . GROSSMAN : Forty-some years ago when I began my journey through dental school and then my practice , it never occurred to me that I would one day become president of a state dental association . I once read that the most wisdom a person can attain is to know that one ’ s destiny is to aid and serve . Those thoughts have guided me to this day .
It was always important to me to get involved in community and profession . Once I became a father , I wanted to be a role model for my children .
PDJ : During this year of your presidency , what are some things you are focusing on ? What are your primary goals ?
DR . GROSSMAN : I hope , as I think every PDA president before me has thought , to leave our association in a better position to serve our members when my term is completed . I am constantly asking myself how can I achieve that goal ? What do our members want , need , and expect for their membership dollars ? It is my foremost goal to position PDA as THE dental association that our members know as the guiding influence to improve and protect their professional lives as dentists . Mark Twain wrote , “ It ’ s not the size of the dog in the fight , it ’ s the size of the fight in the dog .” I want all our members to be assured that PDA will always support and represent them at every level in our commonwealth . I have said numerous times I want all of us to be proud card-carrying members of organized dentistry .
PDJ : Can you tell us about some of the initiatives that you want to see through during this year ?
DR . GROSSMAN : I would like to accomplish while I am still actively practicing dentistry Medical Loss Ratio legislation in Pennsylvania just like our colleagues did – with our financial help – in Massachusetts . In addition , we should be welcoming our MOM-n-PA into our PDA Foundation in order to strengthen their ability to continue to raise funds and mutually benefit the mission of our foundation . Trying to make a difference , we will bring out the best in our association .
JULY / AUGUST 2023 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 19