My family has helped load and unload many boxes for the registration area , worked the registration booth , and attended the exhibit halls and events as well . My grandchildren especially like all the fun and amenities at Nemacolin . My oldest grandson Mason wants to be a dentist like his Mimi . I really think he will be an Oral Surgeon as he is the family baby tooth “ extractor .”
I have often wondered where all my colleagues are at these meetings . Your officers and committee members work so hard to make these CE / events special and meaningful for you . Oops here goes my soap box again ! But seriously , being involved in organized dentistry is quite rewarding . We welcome you to get your feet wet and volunteer . And if volunteering doesn ’ t interest you then at minimum please attend the CE / events we plan to make special for you , your family and staff . Please come for the fun and collegiality .
Organized dentistry has also provided me with the ability to become involved in my community through community service . I began to attend the Washington / Greene County local meetings immediately after going into practice . I moved through many committees and served as chair on all of them . The Children ’ s Dental Health Committee provided me the most access to the community at-large with school visits , Girl Scout lectures and other community events . This helped grow my practice significantly . Eventually I was appointed to attend the DSWP Board meetings to represent Washington / Greene , and the rest is history . At the DSWP I made my way through all of the committees and offices as well . I had the opportunity
to serve on and chair many PDA committees , the House and Board of Trustees . I served as PDA vice president under Dr . Herbert Ray . I am currently co-chair of PDA ’ s Environmental Issue Advisory Group . There are so many amazing mentors who impacted my life , especially Dr . Kay Thompson ( deceased ) and Dr . Raymond Lancione , both of whom I served on the PDA Board of Trustees with when Kay was president ( first PDA woman president ), Ray was vice president , and I was the district trustee . I am proud to still serve alongside Dr . Lancione on the DSWP Board of Directors and many committees . Ray is my friend and an honorary member of my family . He not only supports me but takes a personal interest in both my daughters ’ careers and families as well . Ray is 91 years young and has so much experience to impart on our organization and in life . I thank him and all my mentors . He is one reason I strive to mentor others in the profession as well . I am currently serving as a mentor in PDA Leadership Academy ’ s 2023-2024 class .
Over these many years , I was awarded the honor to serve as ADA Alternate Delegate , Delegate , and even chaired the ADA Reference Committee on Credentialing and Rules of Order . Now that was an eye-opening experience ! It was the first year voting machines were used . The machines came up with a higher vote than the number of delegates present . We took a revote , and finally in a highly contested election , we went to paper ballots . That meeting was in San Francisco . My husband kept our daughters and those of another delegate occupied by going to Alcatraz for the day . See what I mean about family and dentistry !
He plans to entertain a few other spouses and children in Orlando as I am currently an Alternate Delegate to the 2023 ADA House . I am also a member of the ADA Diversity and Inclusion Champions and was recently appointed as the Strategic Forecasting Direct to Dentist Action Group .
I am honored to be a Fellow in several Honorary Dental Organizations , the Pierre Fauchard Academy , ICD ( International College of Dentists ) and I just completed a two-year term as President of ACD ( American College of Dentists ) Pittsburgh chapter . I have been awarded the coveted Albert Pechan Award from the DSWP and the Pierre Fauchard Academy Award from the PDA Chapter . I authored an Article for Dental Economics back in 2014 , “ Don ’ t Forget About Your Hands .” Unfortunately for me , the strain and hard work of dentistry wore mine out . Ironically , I won the International Research Award upon graduation from dental school for my Research Project “ Carpal Tunnel Syndrome an Occupational Hazard or not .” I have a cadre of tips to share with you if you dare about saving your hands early on … and I might add your hearing , too .
I hope I have given my fellow members a good glimpse of what I am all about . My life is about my family , service to the profession , organized dentistry and the public at large . I thank you for allowing me to continue to fulfill my dreams . I am here for you , so just reach out . I would be glad to mentor any of you who are interested in becoming involved or need help or assistance .
SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2023 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 29