A Conversation with PDA ’ s Executive Director
Ward , Dr . Gizelle Richard ( LDA CGA chair ), Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and the late Dr . Robert Barsley of LSU School of Dentistry .
the PDA ’ s already strong communications keep moving towards what should be our ultimate goal : that vital information reaches EVERY member the way he / she wants it , and members can get any information any time they need it .
PDJ : How do you view the relationship between ADA and the constituent dental societies ?
BLACKWELL : I tend to view that relationship in terms of how close it is to what I feel it should be . Ideally ( in my opinion ), the sharing of information between ADA and the state dental associations would be seamless , comprehensive and transparent ; the support would be mutual ; each organization would focus on what it does well , but recognize how those activities impact the other and work cooperatively to ensure mutual benefit ; and , there would be minimal duplication of effort ( and optimum efficiency ). In reality , we ’ re not there yet . But I ’ ve seen substantial strides made towards that ideal over the past couple of decades . I ’ ve been especially pleased by the ADA ’ s continually strengthening commitment to be a vital resource for its constituent ( state ) societies .
PDJ : What has surprised you about PDA or Pennsylvania ?
BLACKWELL : Probably the biggest surprise has been that politics and government in Pennsylvania are generally every bit as wacky and byzantine as they were in Louisiana . Louisiana probably has a better-known history of colorful , corrupt politicians , but the challenges of navigating the two systems are quite comparable – and interesting – at least to me . The specifics vary somewhat , of course . For instance , I ’ m pretty sure no former PA governor has starred in a reality TV show … yet !
PDJ : Can you tell us about yourself ? Where are you from ? What do you like to do for fun ?
BLACKWELL : I was raised in Arlington , Texas , which is in between Dallas and Fort Worth . I lived in Austin for a couple of years after receiving my B . S . from the University of Texas
before taking a job in Baton Rouge . That led to graduate school at LSU , marriage to another Tiger fan , three children and eventually the LDA . After 30 years in South LA , I ’ ve assimilated a lot of that culture ( and am no longer married ). So , I love eating ( and cooking ) great food , fishing , most college sports and live music . I also enjoy playing music , but my performing has largely been limited to occasionally filling in for the keyboardist at church and jam sessions at my cousin ’ s beer garden in Sturgis , SD . Finally , I love skiing ( I ’ ve had family in Colorado for many years ) and bicycling , and feel that PA is a great place to do both .
PDJ : Harrisburg is a long way from Baton Rouge . What made you decide to make this move at this stage in your career ? And how is your family adjusting to the move ?
BLACKWELL : If anything , being at “ this stage ” of my career made a move more appealing . As noted above , I was proud of what LDA had accomplished in my time there and loved being a part of organized dentistry . But I really felt I could do more with the right organization equipped with greater resources . The climate in Harrisburg was appealing too . Enjoying all four seasons sounds WAY better than half a year of constant days of 95-degree , 95 % humidity weather interrupted only by the occasional hurricane . And , with my children all finished with school and on their own , their biggest adjustment will be the possibility of a white Christmas – something to which they are very much looking forward !
Ward was among several executive directors inducted as an honorary Pierre Fauchard Academy member in October 2019 .
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2020 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 15