ARGENTINA

Chair Norberto Monthiel reports inducting three new members into Fellowship, Drs. Wancelilu Molinia, Trinidad Bernasconi, and Luciano Menuet.

BELGIUM/LUXEMBOURG

Chair Jose Dahan had offered suggestions for organizing the Section Chair Caucus to make use more effectively of the time involved. He has also suggested drafting a definition of what a PFA Fellow is all about to differentiate us from other organizations. Their Section is using the slogan, "A PFA Fellow is proud to SHARE AND DARE."

CANADA

Trustee Barry Dolman reported hosting their Special Awards and Installation Breakfast during the Canadian Dental Association's Annual Meeting in Jasper, Alberta, to honor Dr. Gordon Thompson for his distinguished service to our profession. The breakfast invocation was given by Canadian Dental Association President Darryl Smith, followed by greetings from PFA President-Elect James Englander. The late winter snow did not deter Dr. Englander from coming up from Wisconsin. He felt at home there.

Ninety-seven people were in attendance at the Jasper Park Lodge for the presentation of PFA's Scholarships and Awards to those who participated in the Dentsply Student Clinician Program. Scholarship winners were Michael Sorek of McGill University, Matt Gilchrist of Dalhousie University, Emma Jakmakjian of the University of Montreal, Darya Dabiri of the University of British Columbia, Jasminka Korok of Western Ontario, Landon Pincombe and Carman Rabuka of the University of Saskatchewan, Dorothee Packwood, Genevieve Gaumond, and Audrey-Anne Roy of Laval, Sean Robertson from the University of Toronto, and Xietaoi Xie of the University of Manitoba. This association with the educational effort began with Dentsply's George Rhodes, when he was awarded the PFA Dental Trade &Industry Award. The PFA Gold Medal recipient, Dr. Linda Neissen of Dallas, was present in support of our student scholarship initiative.

New Fellows (28) inducted this year were Drs. Yves Ayotte, Mel Schwartz, and Harry Rosen from Quebec; Michael J. Taillon, William T. Underwood, Darryl R. Smith, Danielle Jobb, Maureen D. Lefebvre, Christopher J. Cottick, Walter Nider, Cliff Swanlund, Robert Thompson, and Larry Hodinsky from Western Canada; Monique Fitch, Stephen Fitch, Robert Greenbaum, Earl Perlmutter, TimothyMilligan, Blake Nicolucci, Sandra Nicolucci of Ontario; Bill Redman, Lesley Williams, and Bernie Legatto from British Columbia.

CDA Executive Director GeorgeWeber and his staff assisted in securing PFA recognition during the meeting. The Alberta Dental Association and the dental college were represented by their executive officers and board members. PFA President-Elect James Englander represented the Academy.

This year marks the commencement of the agreement with Dentistry Canada Fund. Fellow Bernard Dolansky has been instrumental in facilitating this project, which will promote the growth of PFA in Canada and increase funding for our programs.

The PFA Web Portal Region-6 is now a working reality with updated information on events and links to every major Canadian dental outlet. The concept for 2008 is to develop more autonomy between the five Canadian subsections so they can initiate their own programs more effectively.

The 2008 Awards Ceremony is scheduled for Toronto. Dr. Aldo Boccia is heading up this event.

The Canadian Chairs are held by Drs. Bruce Ward, Tom Breneman, Aldo Boccia, Sam Sgro, and Alfred Dean.

CHILE

Chair Pabla Barrientos held their annual Meeting and Induction Ceremony last May. With the assistance of International PFA Trustee Ernesto Acuna, their Section inducted new Fellows Drs. Rodrigo Gil and Guillermo Durruty.

Dr. Alejandro Cekalovic was presented their Section Award as Distinguished Dentist of the Year.

POLAND

Chairman Eugeniusz reports that the membership still includes such dignitaries as the Vice President of the Supreme Medical Council, President of the Polish Stomatological Association, Presidentof the Association of PolishDentists, and Editors of several prestigious stomatological magazines. This year the President of theOpole Section of the Polish Stomatological Association was inducted intomembership. He has organized eight continuing education training seminars. The 20th anniversary of the Polish Association of Dental Technicians was celebrated and PFA Fellows participated in presenting papers and receiving Honorary Decoration.

Three Polish PFA Section Board meetings were held last year, with a National Meeting held in September. Four new Fellows were inducted. Two papers were given at that time. Professor Maria Borysewicz-Lewicka, Chair of the Faculty of Pedodontics in Poznan, presented a paper entitled ''Own Experiences in Stomatological Care over Children and Youth in a big Urban Center.'' Dr. Zbigniew Klimek, President of the Association of Polish Dentists, gave a paper entitled "Reflections on Continuing Education."

INDIA

Dr. Anil Kohli, Chairman of the India PFA Section, was honored by the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who conferred upon him the rank of Honorary Brigadier of the Armed Forces Dental Services of India. Dr. Kohli is the first dentist in India to be so honored. Dr. Kohli is also President of the Dental Council of India and of the Indian Endodontic Society.

UNITED STATES

California, Southern Section

The Section held their 37th annual Awards Luncheon last May 6th in Anaheim at the Sheraton Park Hotel. Chair D. Douglas Cassat called the attendants to order, and International PFA President William Winspear presented a report on the Academy's Global Mission, and assisted International Trustee Charles Eller in initiating new Fellows Drs. Nadim Bab of Pasadena, Antonette P. Masters of Northridge, David F. Ouellet of Santa Maria, Melanie Parker of San Diego, R. David Rynearson of Moreno Valley, Louis Schwarzbach of Northridge, and Irwin Silverstein of San Diego.

Immediate Past Foundation President Carl G. Lundgren was the recipient of their PFA Honor Award.

President Winspear recognized the Southern California grant recipients for the year as the UCSD Free Dental Clinic by Dr. Irvin Silverstein, the Flying Samaritans of Orange County by Dr. Ted Tanabe, The MEND Dental Clinic of Pacoima by Dr. Richard Marias, The Children's Dental Health Association of San Diego by ROH Druann Andrecht, The St. Vincent de Paul Village Dental Clinic of San Diego by Dr. Michael J. Ward, and the Thousand Smiles Foundation of Chula Vista by Drs. Terry Tanaka and Jim Vernetti.

The Foundation Student Awards were recognized as going to Christine A. Aufderbar of Loma Linda, Morris Poole of UCLA, and Harjok S. Chawla of USC.

The Teacher of the Year Awards were presented to Dr. James Padgett of Loma Linda, Dr. Dudley Glick of UCLA, and Dr. Brent Fung of USC.

Also mentioned were the past PFA International Presidents that were from Southern California: Drs. Albert C. Vielle (1962), Hugo M. Kulstad (1970), George Higue (1974), Cliff F. Loader (1978), Edwin W. Holvorson (1982), Foster W. Bens (1991), Carl G. Lundgren (1994), and Shigeo Ryan Kishi (1998).

The California Southern Section Officers are Chair D. Douglas Cassat, Vice Chair Frank T. Curry, Immediate Past Chair Charles Eller, and Editor David Richards.

Connecticut

Chair Robin Mark Santiago reports holding their annual Awards and Induction Luncheon with some 65 attending last May at the Mohegan Sun resort and Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, during the Annual Meeting of the Connecticut State Dental Association. Past PFA President Howard Mark was in attendance to assist Chair Robin Santiago. Their Recognition Award for Service was presented to outgoing Chair William MacDonnell for his 5 years of leadership. Two Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Dr. Jeanne Strathearn, the retiring ADA District One Trustee, and past CSDA President; and to Dr. Sedrick Rawlins for his many roles in serving the needy populations in Connecticut.

Ten new Fellows were inducted into membership by Region 2 Trustee Richard Walsh and by PFA Past President Howard Mark.

Fellow Robert Schreibman, past CSDA President, presented an overview of the Mission of Mercy Project of CSDA. This program provides dental services in a rural area of Connecticut. Some 10 PFA Fellows are involved.

The Section is attempting to secure the Oklahoma Pierre Fauchard statue for display in the lobby of the CSDA headquarters.

Illinois

PFA Editor James Brophy was honored last May by the Illinois Elks Association for being Elk of the Year and was presented their medallion at the Spring Convention's Awards Banquet in Springfield. Dr. Brophy has served an unprecedented four times as President of their 117-year old Waukegan Lodge in two different centuries, served as Treasurer of the Elks North District, and for 13 years held the position as the Illinois Elks Drug Awareness Chairman, distributing a million pieces of drug literature to Illinois schools. Dr. Brophy has earned three Lodge Elk of the Year Awards.

Iowa

Chair C. Fredrick Fuller reports holding their joint PFA, ICD, and ACD annual Spring Dinner lastMay 6th in the Coral Ballroom at the Marriott Hotel in Coralville, Iowa, during the Iowa Dental Association's annual Session.

FDI's Kathy Kell of Davenport was honored with the Iowa PFA Dentist of the Year Award. Dr. Kecia Leary was inducted into Iowa Fellowship at this event. Dr. Marcela Hernandoes from the University of Iowa received the PFA McLeran/Montgomery Award.

Their PFA Section also assisted in the University of Iowa, College of Dentistry's inaugural ''White Coat Ceremony'' last May 3rd. Incoming junior students will be assembled and take the Dentist's Oath with a reception to follow.

Massachusetts

President-Elect Andrea Richman of the Massachusetts Dental Society informed our Past President Howard Mark that Dr. Mark has been selected to receive the prestigious 2008 James W. Etherington Award at the 33rd Yankee Dental Congress. The Etherington Award was established in 1876 to recognize dentists of New England who have dedicated much of their professional lives to the highest ideals and objectives of organized dentistry. Dr. Mark will receive this honor on 30 January 2008 at their Awards Ceremony.

Michigan

Chair Joseph Harris reports that his Section held their annual Spring Breakfast Meeting at the Cobo Hall Convention Center in Detroit during the Michigan Dental Association Annual Session last May. Sixty people were in attendance, including two dental students. Incoming MDA President, Fellow Steve Dater discussed the issues facing organized dentistry. Also in attendance wasMDA's Presidentelect Joanne Dawley, a PFA Fellow as well. Past PFA President and current Foundation President M. David Campbell spoke about the PFA Foundation, giving a brief description of its history.

Drs. Howard Hamerink and Phillip Richards were recognized as the University of Michigan Instructors of the Year.

Dr. Virginia Merchant, past Michigan Section Chair, was awarded the University of Detroit-Mercy Instructor of the Year honor.

Dr. Cheri Newman was awarded their Section's Public Service Award.

Drs. Virginia Merchant, Cheri Newman, and three University of Detroit-Mercy dental personnel, Tiffany Stafiej, Samuel Blanchard, and Elizabeth Ralstrom spoke about the Baycliff Health Camp Project.

Their Section also sponsored the lecture by Dr. John Svirsky on Oral Pathology at the MDA Session.

Drs. Robert E. L. Perkins and Joseph B. Harris (father) were presented their Section's Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Five new Fellows were inducted into membership at this Meeting: (L-R) Drs. Walter Lim, Steven Gusfa, Diane Hines, William Demray, and David DiLoreto.

Four new Fellows were inducted in November; Drs. Carl Misch, Jay Bowman, Ramzi Atoui, and Margaret DeVor.

Their Section's Student awards were presented to Tiffany Stafiej of UDM and to Sooyoun Chung of the University of Michigan.

Outgoing Chair J.C. Harris introduced the new Section Chair Todd Christy, who gave the closing remarks.

The Michigan Section Officers are Chair Todd Christy, Treasurer Edward Sarkisian, Secretary Marilyn Woolfolk, Membership Chair Susan Luft-Marcotte, Education Chair Gregory Movesian, Philanthropic Affairs Chair Wally McMinn, and Editor Michael Maihofer.

Dr. Todd Christy, New Michigan Chair

Dr. Todd Christy has been selected to serve as the new Michigan PFA Section Chairman upon Dr. Joseph Harris ascending to the position of PFA International Trustee. Dr. Harris has served as the Michigan Chairman for 3 years and has made many exciting innovations, such as a regular four-color newsletter, News Update.

Dr. Christy is a 1966 graduate of the University of Detroit-Mercy School of Dentistry. He has been in private practice in Barrien Springs ever since. He is past President (2002) of the Lakeland Valley Dental Society. He has earned the New Dentist Leadership Awards from MDA and from the ADA. Dr. Christy is a Fellow in PFA, ICD, and ACD, and currently serves on the MDA Board of Trustees for Region XII. He is a clinical instructor at Lake Michigan College's Dental Assisting Program. He also is an active Rotarian in the Barrien Springs Club.

WISCONSIN

The 137th Wisconsin Dental Association held their "Jewel of the Great Lakes" Dental Convention at the KI Center in Green Bay last May. Many PFA Fellows assisted in making this a spectacular Meeting, which featured 111 exhibits displaying the latest in oral health care products and services.

Featured performer was American Idol participant Denise Jackson, a singer from Madison. She was displaying her new smile that she had done by Drs. James Amstadt of Sun Prairie and Thomas Katz of Columbus, following her recent Hollywood debut.

The WDA Foundation celebrated their 50th Anniversary at Lambeau Field. (For you unaware, Lambeau Field is football heaven for the Green Bay Packers.) Packers Aaron Rodgers, Fuzzy Thurston, and Larry McCarren mingled with the dentists and their guests.

The WDA was founded in 1870 and is headquartered in West Allis. It has more than 2,900 members.

Chair Ron Stifter inducted eight new Fellows into membership. PFA President-Elect James Englander addressed the Section on the Academy's initiatives with an emphasis on our Foundation's activities.

OKLAHOMA

Past Chair William Goodman hosted their PFA Membership Breakfast and Induction Ceremony last April during the Centennial Oklahoma Dental Association Meeting. Nine new members were admitted into Fellowship by Chair William Goodman and assisted by PFA Secretary General Richard Kozal and International PresidentWilliam Winspear. Their Distinguished Service Award went to ODA Presidentelect Krista Jones.

Later, all the PFA Officers participated in the unveiling of the 7-foot bronze statue of Pierre Fauchard at the ODA headquarters. The sculptor Gary Gardner of Lawton, a past ODA President, was inducted into PFA that Meeting.

PENNSYLVANIA

Past PFA President Nicolas D. Saccone is recovering well from the loss of his right leg. He thanks all his well-wishers for their cards, letters, and e-mails. He is now at home and progressing well for an 85-year old dealing with a cumbersome prosthesis.