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International

Hong Kong

Chair Jeffrey Y. S. Tsang is currently serving as President of the Asia Pacific Dental Federation among his other duties as Regent for ICD and PFA Chair.

India

Chair S. G. Damle hosted their 18th annual Convocation and Awards Ceremony of the PFA India Section at the Hotel Goldfinch in Bangalore last January. The Senate and the General Body Meetings were held after the Convocation. Secretary/Treasurer T. Samraj reported that Chairman Dr. Subash Chandra Shetty adorned the Chairman’s collar and declared the Convocation “open.” He introduced the Chief Guest Dr. S. Ramanand Shetty, Director of Medical Education for the government of Karnataka. Secretary T. Samraj then introduced the 17 new Inductees for membership whose Certificates of Fellowship were then presented by the Chief Guest. The PFA medallions were presented by the Chairman. The PFA pins were then presented by the International Honorary Fellow, Dr. Major General Kartar Singh. And the Journal of the PFA India Section was given them by Chief Editor Dr. V. P. Jalili.

The newly inducted Fellows were Drs. Anil Sukumaran, T. P. Chaturvedi, Ashok Kumar Jena, Somesh Grover, M. Shiva Shankar, R. R. Hebballi, G. V. Ramachandra Reddy, M.L.V. Prabhuji, M. Natashekara, G. Vishwanath, Pradeep Chandra Shetty, Purushotham Manvi, Virat Galhotra, Jayakar Shetty, Raji Viola Solomon, Babitha Ann Philip, and Rupam Sinha.

The Chief Guest Dr. S. Ramanand Shetty awarded the “Best Out-going” Student B.D.S. Awards to Dr. Ruchi Singh (2003) of the College of Dentistry in Indore and to Dr. Shilpa Chandra (2004) of the Bapuji Dental College in Davangere.

Dr. Raji Viola Solomon receiving Fellowship Certificate from Dr. S. Ramanand Shetty

The Chief Guest then presented the PFA International Senior Student Awards to Dr. S. T. Srinivasa Gowda (2003) of the A. B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences in Mangalore, to Dr. Rupinder Kaur (2003) of the Christian Dental College in Ludhiana, and to Dr. Ranjana Gupta (2003) of the Ragas Dental College in Chennai. The PFA International Certificates of Merit were then awarded to Dr. N.Rajeev Shetty (1996) and to the late Dr. B. Srinivasan (2003) posthumously.

The Chief Guest gave the keynote address to the newly inducted Fellows outlining the work of Dr. Pierre Fauchard. He challenged them to emulate his footsteps. Dr. Shiva Shankar gave the Response. The Convocation Dinner and Awards Ceremony was compeered by Ms. Bhawana with some 75 in attendance.

The 2005 Officers of the India Section are Chairman S. G. Damle of Mumbai, Vice Chairs Drs. R. Bellie of Coimbatore, Ann Kohli of New Dehli, Ashima Valiathan of Manipal, and C. Krishnarjun Rao of Guntur. The Secretary/Treasurer is T. Samraj of Salem and the Editor is V. P. Jalili of Indore.

United States

California, Northern Section

PFA Fellow Dr. Marc Geissberger, an Associate Professor at the University of the Pacific’s Art Dugoni School of Dentistry, has been appointed as Chairman of the Department of Restorative Dentistry. During his 14-year career at UOP, Dr. Geissberger is credited for initiating innovative programs, instituting curricular changes, academically and clinically, and created a group practice mentor model. He established the dental school’s Clinical Excellence Day and the Future Educators’ Night for students interested in dental teaching. He additionally founded the dental school’s Aesthetic Dentistry Clinic.

Currently, Dr. Geissberger serves as President-elect of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society’s Supreme Chapter, as Treasurer of the Dental Alumni Association and a Board member for the University Council of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry.

PFA has honored Dr. Geissberger with its Excellence in Student Leadership Award and its Faculty Recognition Award, among the many awards Dr. Geissberger has received since earning his dental degree in 1991.

Dean Art Dugoni, also a PFA Fellow, stated, “I am deeply appreciative of his outstanding role and continuing commitment to make sure that our students become the best they can be.”

California, Southern Section

International Trustee Charles Eller reports holding their 35th Annual awards luncheon last may in Anaheim during the California Dental Association’s Scientific Session. Our PFA Section honored the ADA’s Immediate Past President Eugene Sekiguchi of Monterey Park, California, with their PFA Honor Award. Dr. Sekiguchi is Associate Dean for International and Legislative Affairs for USC’s School of Dentistry. He also has served as past President of the California Dental Association and of the San Gabriel Valley Dental Society. He is also a Fellow in PFA, ICD, and ACD. Two of Gene and Claire’s children, Kevin and Jill, are dentists.

PFA International President Michael Perpich gave a talk on our mission in the world and past PFA President Carl Lundgren, Foundation President, gave a report of the Foundation. Dr. Cherilyn Sheets gave an address on “The Foundation Grants in Action.” Her group, The Children’s Dental Center of Inglewood, had received a grant last year from the Foundation.

California, Southern Section Continued...

Other Southern California groups receiving Foundation grants are The Thousand Smiles Foundation of Chula Vista by Drs. Tanaka and Vernetti, the MEND Dental Clinic of Pacoima under Dr. David Campbell, the St. Vincent de Paul Village Dental Clinic of San Diego under Dr. Michael Ward, and the UC-San Diego Student Run Free Dental Clinic of San Diego under Dr. Irvin Silverstein.

The Outstanding Teacher of the Year Awards were presented by our President Michael Perpich to Dr. Robert Allan Handysides of Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, to Dr. Russell D. Nishimura of UCLA’s School of Dentistry, and to Dr. Eddie Sheh of USC’s School of Dentistry.

The PFA Foundation Student Awards were presented to Marcus A. Paulson by Loma Linda University School of Dentistry’s Dean Charles Goodacre, to Elena Yurushalmi by UCLA School of Dentistry’s Dean No-Hee Park, and to Erik Bartolome by USC School of Dentistry’s Dean Harold Slavkin.

The Induction of new nine Fellows into the Academy was performed by PFA President Michael Perpich and Section Editor William Mihram. Those being inducted were Drs. Monica Bruce of Los Angeles, Clelan G. Ehrler of Rialto, James Klusmier of Fullerton, Lilia Larin of National City, Kenneth J. Jacobs of Beverly Hills, Stephen M. Lodeski of Arcadia, Ronald Malouf of Cypress, Philip B. Potter of San Clemente, and Barbara Young of San Diego.

The California, Southern Section, Officers are Chair Charles Eller, Vice Chair Frank T. Curry, past Chair Steven H. Ferriot, and Editor William L. Mihram.

The Section also donated a $1000 grant in memoriam of International Trustee Bernardo Levit of Argentina to Dr. Debra Palmer of Racine, Wisconsin. Dr. Palmer is this year’s recipient of the Wisconsin Section’s Distinguished Service Award. She is currently working on an Argentina dental project.

They also presented a donation to the U.S.S. Midway, which is retired in the San Diego Harbor. This contribution is for rehabilitating its shipboard dental clinic. Last month, the ship’s museum hosted its one millionth visitor. This project is headed by Dr. Roger Zibbettz, a PFA Fellow.

Connecticut

Section Chairman William MacDonnell with PFA President-elect Howard Mark, International Trustee Richard Walsh, and Fellow Jeremiah Lowney presented their 2005 Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Marc Craig last May at their annual Meeting with over 40 members present. Dr. Marc Craig was honored for his dedication and service to the indigents of Haiti where he has worked for 10 years in Jeremia, Haiti, the site of the Haitian Health Foundation’s Clinic and Medical Center founded by Dr. Jeremiah Lowney a quarter of a century ago.

Past PFA President William Kort presents Academy’s Achievement Award to Michael Albazzaz

Pamela Sawyer, a Republican representative from Bolton, spoke at the luncheon, giving insights into the political process in Connecticut She is the daughter of dentist Edward Zeigler of Rhode Island who also was in attendance.

Dr. Margaret Smith, the Director of the Generations Dental Collaborative in Willimantic, spoke about the “Smiles for the Quiet Corner” Project she heads and for which the Foundation had funded a grant last year.

Seven new Fellows were inducted by our President-elect that evening at the Mohegan Sun Resort.

Illinois

Past PFA President William Kort attended the University of Illinois School of Dentistry’s Honors Day to present our Aca-demy’s Student Achievement Award to Michael Albazzaz.

Maryland

The Dr. Samuel Harris National Museum of Dentistry in association with the Smithsonian Institution has been recognized as an “authentic Baltimore site” by the Baltimore City heritage Area. Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley made the official announcement last May. It becomes one of the 33 sites, services, and events so recognized. Other such sites include Babe Ruth’s Birthplace and Museum, Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, and the Jewish Museum of Baltimore.

The National Dental Museum is celebrating its 10th anniversary. In 2003, NDM had been designated by the 108th Congress as “the official museum of dentistry.” On the campus of the University of Maryland-Baltimore, the Dental Museum is partly housed in the nation’s first school of dentistry. NDM is also one of the first venues for the PFA Wall of Fame in the United States.

Nebraska

Secretary/Treasurer Gary Westerman reports Chairman Francis Cavolvic held their annual Luncheon Meeting last April at the Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln during the 137th annual Session of the Nebraska Dental Association. Dr. Cavolvic conducted the business meeting. He read a review of the History and Objectives of the Academy and discussed the interest in participating in a student-mentoring program with the two dental schools in Nebraska—Creighton and the University of Nebraska.

New Fellows were inducted during the ceremony part of the meeting and they were Drs. Dean Cope, Fred Diedrichsen, William Kathrein, Kevin Low, and Jack Wesch. A short biographic sketch was read on each of them, followed by the Oath of Membership and distribution of membership certificates and pins.

The PFA Foundation Scholarship recipients were introduced, as well as the visiting Nebraska Dental Association Officers that dropped by.

Nevada

Mrs. and Dr. Jose Dahan with Judy Kozal in the PFA Dental Museum

Dr. and Mrs. Jose Dahan, Section Chair of Belgium/Luxembourg, visited the Central Office and the PFA Dental History Museum in Las Vegas on their way to attend an orthodontics meeting in San Francisco.

Oklahoma

Section Chair William Goodman hosted their annual Breakfast and Convocation Meeting last April. PFA International President Michael Perpich gave the main address.

Colonel Phillip Abshere was presented their Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Abshere earned his dental degree at the Oklahoma University College of Dentistry, where he served as Class President in his sophomore, junior, and senior years. He received awards in operative dentistry and periodontology, and he was an honor student in prosthodontia, pedodontics, and endodontics as well. He was presented at that time with the College’s Leadership Award.

Dr. Abshere is active in all the ladder dental organizations and has served as President of the Oklahoma State Dental Society, as an ADA Delegate, and as a U.S. Air Force pilot. He was the leader on the forensics team at the Murrah Federal Building bombing in 1995. He was also the lead dentist in the Vukovar, Croatia, investigation of the Ovcara mass graves. He has received many military awards and is ANG/SGD Air National Guard Surgeon General for dentistry.

Seven new Fellows were inducted into Fellowship. Left to right in the picture are Drs. Brian Coerver, J. Mark Folks, Neil Glass, Robert M. Lamb, PFA President Michael Perpich, Dusten Lively, Craig Spaulding, and Susan Whiteneck.

L-R, Past Award recipient Dr. Jerome Miller, 2005 Distinguished Service Award recipient Dr. Phillip Abshere, and PFA President Michael Perpich

Rhode Island

Section Chair Richard Walsh (and PFA International Trustee) with PFA President-elect Howard Mark presented the Rhode Island Distinguished Service Award to Shirley Spalter last May at their annual Meeting at the Warwick Crowne Plaza Hotel. Dr. Spalter was honored for her dedication and service in attending to the dental needs of specially challenged and disabled patients in her position as Director of the dental clinic at the Rhode Island Hospital. Her parents and brother attended the ceremony as well.

Wisconsin

Chair Glenn Maihofer held their annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon last May at the Hilton Hotel in Milwaukee. Honored during the ceremonies was Dr. Debra Palmer for her many years of service to the poor and indigent throughout the world. Dr. Maihofer, with the assistance of International Trustee James Englander, presented her with their 2005 Distinguished Service Award.

Trustee James Englander discussed the Academy’s service programs and those grants funded by the Foundation. He encouraged the Wisconsin Section to develop an appropriate program to serve the needy population in Wisconsin. Dr. Englander also introduced International Trustee Charles Eller from

California, who was in attendance for his 50th Class Reunion at Marquette University School of Dentistry. Marquette’s dental school Dean William Lobband Dr. Fred Jaeger, President of the Wisconsin Dental Association, discussed the PFA-Marquette dental school-Wisconsin Dental Association’s Award winning Mentorship Program before a crowd of some 100 attendees, including 14 WDA past Presidents.

ADA Trustee Kathy Roth addressed the many challenges facing our Association in dealing with problems on the national level.

Seven new Fellows were inducted into the Academy by Chair Glenn Maihofer and Trustee James Englander.

L-R, Chair Glenn Maihofer, Award recipient Debra Palmer, and International Trustee James Englander