PDA 150TH ANNIVERSARY
Dr. Bruce Terry
PDA President 2017-2018
My presidency, like many of my predecessors has had many
moments that come as surprises. Very few of us will ever look back
and say that we knew something was going to happen and that we
planned and prepared for it. Most often we’re doing this job by the
seat of our pants. Whether it’s getting a call about something that
an insurance company has done or something that a member
wants or legislation that we’re trying to advance.
They were in the modern era and
I could both fax and eventually email
content to them. They really helped
me with the layouts for the Valley Forge
Dental Journal. Rob gave me time to do more writing,
which was becoming easier. By this
time I had written more than 120
editorials and I would write another
50 as PDA Editor.
Working with Dr. Galeone was a terrific
experience. I was always impressed
with his writing style and wanted to
grow up to be like him. I know that
I have received pats on the back for
my writing, but Dr. Galeone is the one
with talent. I just learned to fake it well. During each stage of my writing career
I have been extremely lucky to watch
and learn from many great mentors.
As I matured as a writer and editor,
I found that I enjoyed the creative side
to this job. I really enjoyed developing
themes and then finding the content
or writing it myself. Like any good
elementary school student, I was always
motivated by bling. So, when I had my
first article published in the ADA News
I felt on top of the world. When I
received my first journalism award from
the American Association of Dental
Editors and Journalists I tried to find my
high school English teacher to show her
that I was not a total failure.
When I moved up to the position as
associate editor of the Pennsylvania
Dental Journal I now had an actual
communications department. Rob
Pugliese was and is the Journal. His
ability to gather and sort out content
and plan our issues was what I was
missing in my previous roles.
Rob helped me learn to plan ahead
and gather content for issues several
months in the future. We would often
plan an entire year and then contact
those who needed to write or gather
information for us. We had theme issues
that flowed nicely or annual issues that
focused on Advocacy, Government
Relations or Annual Session.
Nothing could have prepared me more
for my role as a PDA officer than all of
the years writing about dental issues.
I felt very involved by listening and
reading information from the ADA and
PDA and attending meetings.
I can’t say enough to all the dedicated
volunteers who give their time to
organized dentistry. Each has a passion
and shares it with other. Mine happens
to be writing.
I have been truly blessed with your
support and encouragement. I have
enjoyed all the hours I have spent
writing about my life as a husband,
father, dentist and dental leader. Many
times I have told friends that writing is
therapy. I told you earlier that I am
cheap. Writing about my life as a dentist
is far better than being psychoanalyzed
for one hour a week.
I fear that I am not going to drift away
easily. Writing has become addictive
and if you are not careful you may see
more from me in the future. Susan, I am
sorry, but you will have to continue to
proofread before I go to print. My head
may be swelled, but my spelling and
grammar are still questionable.
Dr. Bruce Terry of Wayne served as
editor of the Pennsylvania Dental
Journal from 2008-2016.
MARCH/AP RIL 2018 | P EN N SYLVAN IA DEN TAL JOURNAL
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