Trustee Ernesto and Laura Acuna with Ruth and Norbert Montheil, Argentina Chair

International Trustee for Region 7, Latin America's Ernesto Acuna, has undertaken an extremely ambitious event called South of the Border to revitalize the PFA image in Latin America. Dr. Acuna wishes to host one International PFA Induction Ceremony to be held at the 26th International Dental Congress in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on January 25- 29, 2008. Previous attendance figures for this Congress were 46,505 professionals. Dr. Raphael Baldacci, International Director of the International Dental Congress, met with Dr. Acuna and PFA Secretary General Richard Kozal last February at the Chicago MidWinter Meeting to discuss possible arrangements. Dr. Acuna met again with Dr. Baldacci last June in Mexico City to conclude their agenda of activities. The arrangements are (1) gratis registration for all PFA attendants; (2) gratis hotel rooms for all PFA Region 7 Section Chairs, the PFA International President, Secretary General, and International Trustee Ernesto Acuna, and (3) gratis Meeting Rooms for the PFA Sessions.

The preliminary program for the Latin American Academic Meeting will be arrival on January 24, 2008; Congress Registration and Opening Ceremony on Friday, January 25; the PFA Scientific Program on Saturday, January 26; Congress attendance on Sunday, January 27; the Latin American Chairman Section Workshop on Monday, January 28, along with the Latin American Induction Ceremony and Gala Dinner; and the Congress meeting and closing ceremony on Tuesday, January 29.