Dr . Cary Limberakis would be the first to tell you that becoming PDA president was never high on his list . Where he sits today has been surprising to him , but it ’ s a story we ’ ve heard from numerous leaders through the years – one professional opportunity , taking on a single volunteer assignment or maybe doing a favor for a colleague – can spark a passion that leads to decades of rewarding volunteer engagement and leadership .
Dr . Limberakis has maintained a private general practice in the Abington / Jenkintown area for the last 45 years . Prior to becoming PDA president , he served in key leadership roles that included terms as president of the Second District ( Valley Forge Dental Association ), and prior to that Montgomery-Bucks Dental Society .
At the national level , he served on the American Dental Association ’ s Council on Dental Practice , where his work included valuable contributions as a member of the National Elder Care Advisory Committee and the Dental Quality Alliance . He is a Senior Associate Surgeon / Clinical Instructor in the Dental Division at the Abington-Jefferson Hospital General Practice Residency .
After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master ’ s from Villanova University , Dr . Limberakis earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Penn ’ s School of Dental Medicine in 1978 .
In addition to his passion for serving and leading dental organizations , he has devoted much of his time to improving the lives of others through volunteer efforts such as Give Kids A Smile , Give Vets A Smile , and for the last 12 years has been the Restorative Lead for MOM-n-PA Dental Missions .
PDJ : When you reflect on your career and your leadership journey , what does leading the association as PDA president mean to you ?
Dr . Limberakis : When I finished dental school in 1978 , I never would have predicted that I would someday become president of the Pennsylvania Dental Association . Although a PDA member from graduation , my involvement in organized only started about 25 years ago when I congratulated my friend on becoming president of the Montgomery-Bucks Dental Society and said that I would help him in any way I could . His response was that he needed a chairman of a little committee , and I was hooked ! Looking back , that changed my life way beyond my expectations , as my involvement grew to subsequently becoming president of that society , then president of PDA ’ s Second District , and then to serving on the ADA ’ s Council on Dental Practice .
I ’ ve learned so much about our profession and our association that advocates for it that I have become passionate about continuing this legacy . Never really aspiring to be PDA ’ s president , I felt as though my time had come to run , and with colleagues encouraging me , I ran . Truthfully , I wasn ’ t sure whether I had a chance to win but was more than pleasantly surprised to learn that I had . With this great responsibility , I have become even more passionate to lead the PDA and our profession to greater heights and create value for membership .
PDJ : During this year of your presidency , what are some areas of focus for you ? What are your primary goals ?
Dr . Limberakis : With the ADA soon transitioning to a new software platform which necessitates its 17 districts having a tripartite governance structure , my main goal is to facilitate PDA ’ s transitioning from a quadripartite to a tripartite governance . The Governance Task Force , under the chairmanship of Dr . Linda Himmelberger , has been steadfastly working on implementing this so that the Board of Trustees can act expeditiously and seamlessly to be a part of the new ADA platform . In addition , I want to see more association participation of our younger dentists , cultivating their leadership skills so that the future of our profession and association is secure . We have so many young and enthusiastic members waiting to move up the ladder !
JULY / AUGUST 2024 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 33