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United States
Arizona
Chair Anita Elliott hosted their annual Breakfast Meeting last March in conjunction with the Western Regional Dental Convention. The Fellows voted to help sponsor the new mentorship program being initiated by the new Arizona School of Dentistry. They also discussed developing a scholarship opportunity for the graduating class of 2007. Nine candidate forms have been turned in and a Fall Meeting is scheduled.
California, Northern Section
Chair Daniel Castagna held their Section annual New Fellow Installation and Awards Luncheon last September during the California Dental Association Scientific Session in San Francisco. Nine qualified candidates were granted Fellowship by President Howard Mark, who also talked about PFA activities. Six University of the Pacific and six University of California-San Francisco faculty and dental students received recognition certificates and scholarships. Dr. Patrick Ferrillo was introduced as the new Dean of the Arthus A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. Dr. Dennis Hobby, California Dental Association President, was the keynote speaker. Currently, the Section has 225 members. Two Academic Scholarships of $1000 each are awarded to each dental school. Two Dental Faculty Development Grants are awarded to each dental school.
Dr. Stafford Duhn is Secretary/Treasurer. But both intend to move on next year. Dr. Castagna will become Region 5 PFA Trustee.
California, Southern Section
Chair Charles Eller had also been serving as Region 5 PFA Trustee and will be moving up to PFA Vice President. He has served as the southern California Chair for nine years. They installed 14 new Fellows so far this year.
The Section has been very active in moving Foundation grants into much needed dental treatment areas, such as the MEND Project in Pocoima of Dr. Richard Marias, the Student-Run Free Clinic sponsored by the University of California-San Diego, St. Leo’s Clinic in Del Mar, the Esperanza Project in Baja California. The Central Office was able to arrange for seven dental chairs to be donated and Dr. Bob Bobbit will contact the Tijuana Dental School to see about setting up dental student satellite offices to serve the dental compromised. Two Fellows travel to the Philippines to work in a mission clinic and PFA will be supporting them with funds for supplies.
Dr. Bill Mihram publishes their newsletter PerSpecTives, which is as good a publication that exists. Doug Cassat will serve as the new Section Chair.
Connecticut
Chair William MacDonnell has retired and Dr. Robin Mark Santiago has replaced him. International President Howard Mark and International Trustee Richard Walsh attended their annual Meeting.
Indiana
Chair David N. Matthews hosted their annual Breakfast Meeting last May in conjunction with the Indiana Dental Association annual Session. New fellows Drs. David Painter and Dale Lentz were welcomed into membership. Dr. Ron Hathaway, Associate Professor in Orthodontics at the Indiana University School of Dentistry, spoke on the treatment of craniofacial patients. The PFA Senior Student Award was presented to Jeremy Bruner at the Indiana University School of Dentistry Awards Ceremony last May.
Massachusetts
Chair Norman Becker
Chair Norman Becker’s Section has been doing an outstanding job. Their “Breakfast at Yankee” during the Yankee Dental Meeting was attended by International Trustee Richard Walsh. Later that weekend, Dr. Becker was honored with the prestigious James Etherington Award of the ADA 1st Trustee District.
Dr. Norman Becker, a nationally respected dental editor, received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Indiana University’s School of Dentistry’s Alumni Association. A 1946 dental graduate of IU, Dr. Becker served for 25 years (until 2005) as Editor-in-Chief of the highly regarded Journal of the Massachusetts Dental Society where he has devoted 45 years to the publications staff. He has received numerous awards from ICD and has served as President of the American Association of Dental Editors. Dr. Becker is only one of two non-musicians to be honored with membership in the International Press Club Jazz Hall of Fame for his insightful work in the study between dentition and musical instrument mouthpieces, which has drawn many musicians to his practice, such as Louie Armstrong. He is a Fellow in PFA, ICD, ACD and AGD. He continues to practice in Revere with his son David Becker, and his grandson Todd Belf-Becker.
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Michigan
The Michigan Section is restructuring itself as per their discussions last November during the Detroit District Dental Review in Dearborn, as reported by Section Chair and International Trustee Joseph Harris. They have produced their first four-colored newsletter edited by Dr. Michael Maihofer. Dr. Edward Sarkisian is the Treasurer. Dr. Susan Luft-Marcotte was named Chair of the Membership Committee. Dr. Greg Mosevian will Chair the Clinics and Education Committee. Dr. Wally McMinn chairs the Committee on Philanthropic Affairs. Fellow Cheri Newman reported on the Michigan PFA’s annual summer trip to Bay Cliff Summer Camp, which the Section helps to sponsor with an $8000 donation. A mentoring Program has been established with the Michigan Dental Association and the Detroit Dental Study Club. Five of the mentored students participated in the Bay Cliff Health Camp this summer.
Their Fall Meeting held in Dearborn during the Detroit District Dental Society’s Dental Review was attended by President Mark Barsamian of the Detroit Dental Study Club, President Ronald Paler of the Michigan Dental Foundation, Immediate past President George Goodis of the Michigan Dental Association, and President Joseph Krolling of the Michigan Dental Association. Fifteen dental students attended gratis due to donations made by the Sections Fellows. Fellow Edward Hirsch was presented with a special award of recognition for his service as MDA Trustee by MDA Presidents Joseph Krolling and George Goodis.
Last May the Michigan Section held their annual Spring Breakfast Meeting in conjunction with the Michigan Dental Association’s annual Session in East Lansing. Dr. Walter Lim of the University of Detroit Mercy Dental School was awarded the PFA Faculty Member of the Year Award. Five new Fellows were inducted into membership.
Nebraska
Section Secretary/Treasurer Gary H. Westerman reported holding their annual Luncheon Meeting last March in Omaha during the Nebraska Dental Association’s 138th annual Session. Section Chair Francis J. Cavlovic hosted dental students Al Burns from UNMC College of Dentistry who was the Foundation recipient of their Scholarship, and Travis Olson from Creighton University School of Dentistry who received the PFA Senior Student Award. Dr. Cavlovic noted the passing of Fellows Abraham Faier and Earle Person. Dr. Ahlschwede discussed submitting a grant proposal for NDA’s NMOM project for the Drug Rehabilitation Program in Omaha. Attempts are being made to follow up on the interest in hosting a student mentorship program.
Nevada
Chair William Rohel of Verdi sadly reports canceling several Las Vegas dinner meetings due to a lack of response from the membership. The Section has applied for a Foundation grant to work with St. Mary’s Hospital in providing dental services to those children ages 5 to 6 who fall between Head Start’s WIC program and the “Take Care a Van” kindergarten school sealant program. PFA sponsored a continuing education program in northern Nevada addressing the sales tax law and how it applies to dentistry. Chair William Rohel hosted 15 new Fellows who were inducted at the PFA annual Awards Banquet, and with the assistance of the PFA President, presented their Distinguished Dentist of the Year Award to Dr. George McAlpine.
New York
Chair Lynne Halik and Section Vice Chair Edward Feinberg hosted their annual Section Meeting last June in conjunction with the New York State Dental Association’s Board of Governors Meeting in Cooperstown. The invocation was given by NYSDA President Dr. Alfonso Perna Foundation Executive Director Fred Halik, past PFA International President, talked about the impact that the Foundation is making worldwide. Twelve new Fellows were inducted into membership: Drs. Burney Croll of Manhattan, Ashok Dogra of Flushing, Steve Harrison of Bronx, Howard Jay Kirschener of Far Rockaway, Michael Leifert of Manhattan, David Momtaheni of Manhattan, Ivy Peltz of Manhattan, Jeff Pierce of Manhasset, Kenneth Ronzo of Rochester, Jat Skolnick of Webster, Richard Speisman of Rochester, and John Varoscak of Manhattan. International PFA president Howard Mark gave the keynote address on the importance of membership and its benefits. Dr. Mark Feldman of Garden City was presented the PFA Honor Award and was running unopposed for ADA President-elect. Their June 2007 Meeting will be held in Puerto Rico.
Oklahoma
The PFA Section Chair William E. Goodman held their annual Induction Ceremony and Business Meeting Breakfast in conjunction with the April Annual Session of the Oklahoma Dental Association. Former Indiana PFA Chair Ray Maddox was the guest speaker talking on “Dentistry: Profession or Trade!”
Next year, the Oklahoma Dental Association will be dedicating their life-size bust of Pierre Fauchard, sculpted by Fellow Dr. Gary Gardner. The event is being considered for our annual Management Team Meeting site so that the PFA officers will be in attendance. Nine new Fellows were inducted into membership with some 65 in attendance.
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