( Outgoing president Dr. Cary Limberakis and Incoming president Dr. Ted Rockwell presented Dr. Cynthia Schuler with the Distinguished Service Award.)
Dr. Troy’ s nomination letter described the amazing dedication and boundless energy that Cindy has injected into the 10th District:“ She works passionately for the health and success of our district, including the 3Rivers Dental Conference, for which she diligently and tirelessly commits numerous months each year … She is committed to growing membership and happily takes younger members under her wing. She nurtures the next generation of leaders, spending casual time with them on the phone or over coffee, educating them on the importance of organized dentistry, including them in decision-making and encouraging them into leadership roles.”
At the state level, Dr. Schuler has chaired numerous committees and task forces, served as PDA vice president in 2016-2017 and is currently serving on the Governance Task Force. Nationally, she has been involved in numerous ADA membership efforts over the years. Truly, too many important roles to even mention at all levels.
Cindy, it is with great pleasure that I present you with the 2025 PDA Distinguished Service Award.
She is committed to growing membership and happily takes younger members under her wing. She nurtures the next generation of leaders, spending casual time with them on the phone or over coffee, educating them on the importance of organized dentistry...
Dr. Schuler’ s acceptance remarks:
First let me say that I am humbled to have received this award. This is not a place where you arrive alone. It is a partnership with many along the way of life – family, faith, colleagues and many of my past mentors. I made countless lifelong friendships at the PDA House of Delegates and in my work in organized dentistry in general. I wanted to pass this legacy along to others.
My family, my husband Milt of 48 years and my daughters Stephanie and Natalie, historically attended the PDA Annual Meeting. Natalie’ s first was in the womb some 39 years ago at my first HOD in Pittsburgh. Stephanie was 2 at the time. Unfortunately, my daughters could not be here tonight, but what I wanted to highlight about them, and Milt, is that even though they do not work in dentistry they were always and continue to be part of the dental family. Bring your family with you when you can to everything.
This special community of all of you here tonight – some I do not know but hope to, and many others not here make my family feel much bigger. I hope you can feel there is something special here. Milt helped me mentor many dentists and their spouses to feel welcome and included. It is a collaboration!
I can say I was truly shocked to hear I received this award. My district“ gifted” me a copy of their nomination letter recently. I was humbled to read what was written about me. I thank them for the gift of knowing what I strove for in my life was seen.
I leave you with my deepest wish, my mission, and that is to be welcoming in your intentions, and have the organization’ s work bring us together. I was lucky I never felt left out, and that I credit to my strong inclusive 10th District. A true melting pot of members.
In parting and lastly, I want to say – do what you can with what you have when you are here. Tonight, I finally feel proud of myself. I thank my district and the PDA for all their support and my mentees, many here tonight, I thank you with all my heart.
JULY / AUGUST 2025 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 23