Canada

International Trustee Barry Dolman welcomed all to the Canadian Section Annual Awards and Installation Ceremonies. He acknowledged the support of GlaxoSmithKline Sensodyne Brand for their continued participation for their Canadian event, and to the Dentistry Canadian Fund for increasing the donation pool. Dr. Dolman expressed regrets over the passing of Fellow Jardine Neilson, former CDA Executive Director, and former PFA President Michael Cripton. The PFA-DCF Endowment Fund will be renamed in honour of Dr. Michael Cripton.

CDA President Deborah Stymiest delivered the Invocation. Dr. Dolman introduced PFA President James Englander for brief remarks.

The 2008 Distinguished Service Awards were presented to past Canadian Dental Association Presidents Drs. James Brookfield and Bernard Dolansky. Ontario Section Chair Aldo Boccia presented Honourary Membership to Mr. Joel Neal for his long-standing service to dentistry. Dr. Ralph Crawford, past President and CDA Editor, presented the PFA Foundation Scholarships and Certificates.

The Student Clinical Programme is supported and encouraged by Dentsply International's Vice President and PFA Gold Medal recipient Dr. Linda Neilssen for its dedication to fostering research and academic excellence in dentistry. PFA Canada has chosen to partner with Dentsply by its recognition of each student finalist participant chosen to represent their dental faculty. PFA Foundation Scholarships were presented this year to Rose Chen and Patsy Yip of McGill University, Melanie McLeod of Dalhousie, Wailan Chan of Western Ontario, Jeremie Berdugo of Universite de Montreal, John Juwan Park of U.B.B., Ashley Dykun of Manitoba, Andrew Wong of Alberta, and Audrey McNamara of University of Toronto. Additional scholarships were awarded at each dental facility honouring Robyn White of Dalhousie, Rania El-Hawary of McGill. Raluca-Maria of the Universite de Montreal, Victor Duy Vit of Laval, Eugene Chung of Alberta, Amyn Allidina of the University of British Columbia, Gurinder Kler of Manitoba, Sean Ostro of Toronto, David MacPherson of Western Ontario, and Ryan Kilistoff of Saskatchewan.

President James Englander then installed some 45 new Fellows into the Academy.

Dr. Dolman is attempting to entice The Dental Chronicles to expand online with the Canadian Web site.

India

PFA Section Secretary/Treasurer Professor T. Samraj has been elevated to President of the ICD Sections of India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal last April. Dr. Samraj has been a long-serving officer in our PFA holding the office with distinction. Dr. Samraj was admitted into ICD Fellowship in 1976 and has served as ICD Deputy Zonal Regent (1985-1988), as Zonal Regent (2002-2005), and Vice President (2006-2007).

The Section attended the 22nd Annual Convocation and Awards Ceremony of India this December in Manipal.

The India PFA Section started the PFA Oration for the first time which was the opening Oration in the Indian Dental Association Students Conference held in Amritsar last November.

Ireland

Chris Lynch of Ireland presented a Certificate of Merit to Dr. Peter Cowan last April and Honorary Fellowship to Professor Vincent McLoughlin.

Japan

Their Section held their Board of Trustees Meetings last February and in April.

The 39th Annual Meeting of the Japan section will be held in Niigata on October 11-12, 2008. Six new Fellows are scheduled to be inducted at that time.

Korea

Their annual Meeting was held last May. Japan Secretary General Akiyoshi Yamagami attended.

Chair Professor Kim Jong-Won describes a new revival of their activity this year.

Mexico

Trustee Ernesto Acuna reported inducting ten new members and one honorary member last November at their annual Induction Ceremony at the Centro Asturiano in Mexico City. A cultural conference was presented by Carlos Flores Marini on the "Maya Pyramid of Chichen Itza." PFA President James Englander was in attendance along with the Dean of the dental school at the National University of Mexico (UNAM). The Foundation Scholarship Award was presented at this event. Two Distinguished Guests were from the ICD Executive Committee, which was holding their Council Meeting in Mexico City.

Poland

The Section held their Annual Meeting last September in Lodz during the XIII Congress of Dental teams and the XVII Central European Dental Exhibition. Professor Stefan Wloch was elected Chairperson of the meeting. Certificates for 2007 new Fellows were presented to Professor Leszek Kryst and Professor Zdzislaw Bereznowski, and to supporting members Dariusz Kalinowski and Mariusz Sadowski from the AMADAR Company.

The Foundation Scholarship Award was presented to Anna Ostrowska, a student at the Medical University in Warsaw. The presentation was made by Chair Professor Eugeniusz and Dean of the Stomatology Faculty of the Warsaw Medical University Professor Renata Gorska.

Professor Marek Zietek, President of the Polish Stomatological Association delivered a paper entitled "Assignments, role and activity of the Polish Stomatological Association presently and in the future."

The Section has recommended that Mrs. Anna Deja- Berdula be awarded an Honorary Fellowship.

The 2007-2011 Section Officers were elected as Chairman Professor Eugeniusz Spiechowicz, Vice Chairman Professor Elzbieta Mierzwinska-Nastalska, Secretary Zbigniew Klimek, Treasurer Zdzislaw Malenczyk, with members Professor Jadwiga Banach, Professor Zbigniew Janczuk, and Professor Marek Zietek.

New Fellows were received into Fellowship and were Drs. Malgorzata Radwan-Oczko of the Medical University in Wroclaw, and Dr. Andrzej Baszkowski, a private practitioner and member of the District Medical Council in Poznan and the Supreme Medical Council.

We regret the passing of Vice President of the Supreme Medical Council, Dr. Andrzej Fortuna.

United Kingdom

Fellow Brian Lux was recipient of the first Fellowship of the Dental Practitioners Association at their annual President's Dinner last May held at the Millennium Glouster Hotel in South Kensington. DPA President Brian Levy awarded this honour on behalf of the Dental Practitioner's Council in gratitude for distinguished, loyal, conscientious, and diligent service to the Association. Brian Lux was one of the earliest members of the DPA and a long-standing member of the General Dental Council and has twice served as DPA President. The Fellowship was created in 2007 and Dr. Lux is its first recipient.

Dr. Lux earned his education at Guy's Hospital in 1956 and did his National Service with the RAF. One of his other endeavors was as London Hospital's Light Welterweight Champion. He still follows British boxing. He also has completed 16 marathon races and still runs regularly for charity at the age 75.

He also is a prize-winning children's author. And has written a regular column, "Lux's Letter," in the DPA magazine for some 15 years, and now appears in Dental Practice magazine.

United States

California, Northern Section

Fellow A. Jeffrey Wood, Professor and Chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of the Pacific's Art Dugoni School of Dentistry was named 2008-2009 President of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Wood has also been honored with the ADA's Golden Apple Award. He is the immediate past President of the Western Society of Pediatric Dentistry. He is an ACD, ICD, and PFA Fellow.

Connecticut

Past President Howard Mark reports that his Section completed their first Mercy Mission project with thirty volunteer dentists. The Foundation awarded $7,500 for them to see 1,250 patients during the project.

Georgia

Trustee Karyn Stockwell reported holding her 6th annual Leadership Conference and Convocation last February. President James Englander attended to help induct 15 new Fellows. Drs. Chris Adkins, George Childress, Chris Childs, Russ Clemmons, Leah Cook, Brent Depta, Mark Dusek, Philip Hanes, Sherry Jordan, Richard Kinsey, Grant Loo, Kate Robinson, Tom Daryl, Rebecca Weinman, and Jason Young.

Dr. Roy Rockman received the Section's Excellence in Education Award. The Foundation Scholarship Award was presented to the Medical College of Georgia's Emilie Bailey.

Conference Chair Dr. Jane Puskas organized the dental personnel to volunteer for "Give the Kids A Smile" program in four mobile dental vans donated by Dr. Mark Shurett. 140 children were served with preventative and restorative care.

Opening on Friday evening, a casual dinner was held at the lakeside home of Dr. Robin Reich. Saturday a CE program was held on implants given by Dr. Doug Clepper, followed by a gala formal dinner. The weekend conference finished up on Sunday morning with a business breakfast meeting.

An excellent weekend was accomplished by Section Chair Jay Harrington and Event Chair Jane Puskas.

The annual Hinman joint Breakfast Meeting with ACD and ICD was canceled due to the tornado hitting the Omni Hotel and Georgia World Congress Center. Visiting International Trustee Joseph Harris was literally "blown away." Fortunately he was out to dinner that Friday when the tornado hit. His 15th floor was entirely destroyed. The NCAA March Madness Basketball games were also canceled and moved to the University of Georgia campus.

Georgia Section Fellow Dr. Marie Schweinebraten is a candidate for ADA President in San Antonio.

Illinois

Dr. Dushanka Kleinman, 2005 PFA Gold Medal recipient, '73 graduate of the University of Illinois, was honored by the ADA with their 2007 ADA Distinguished Service Award. This is the highest award that the ADA bestows. Dr. Kleinman has served in the House of Delegates. She has spent 26 years at the National Institute of Dental Health and Cranial Facial Research. She is a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service. She has retired from USPH last year and took up a position as Associate Dean for Research and Academic Affairs at the University of Maryland. She had been honored by UIC's Distinguished Dental Alumnus Award in 1997 and with the University of Illinois' Alumni Association's Alumni Achievement Award in 2005.

Indiana

Desmos, 2008 Vol.114, No. 1, the Delta Sigma Delta Fraternity's international magazine, published an article, "Hine Inducted into Pierre Fauchard Academy International Dental Hall of Fame" (pp 10-11) which reported that University of Indiana's Dean Charles Hine had been inducted into the Hall of Fame by Dr. Kevin Roach last Fall in Indianapolis at the University of Indiana School of Dentistry's Alumni Awards Dinner.

Iowa

Chair C. Frederick Fuller hosted their joint Spring Dinner with ACD and ICD last May at the Marriott Hotel in Des Moines during the annual session of the Iowa Dental Association. Dr. LeRoy Strohman was honored with the PFA Section's Dentist of the Year Award for his service as dentist to his community of Algona, as board member of the Iowa Board of Dental Examiners, Iowa Dental Association President, and a deacon in his church. The Allied Service Award was presented to Karen Baker, an Associate Professor in Oral Pathology and Medicine at University of Iowa College of Dentistry and in the Clinical Pharmacy Division at the College of Pharmacy.

Dr. Michael Rovner, a Des Moines orthodontist, was inducted into Fellowship. Dr. Rovner also serves on the Iowa Board of Dental Examiners.

The Iowa PFA again sponsored the freshman "White Coat Ceremony" last May.

They are also seeking volunteers for Iowa's first IMOM Mission of Mercy scheduled for October 3-4, 2008, in Waterloo at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center. Additional information is at their website.

Louisiana

Their Annual Breakfast Meeting was held in conjunction with the New Orleans Dental Conference/Louisiana Dental Association Annual Session last April. This was their first meeting since the September 2003 Hurricane Ivan interrupted their NODA Meeting, followed by the Katrina Disaster, wiped out the 2005 NODA Meeting. No meeting was held in 2006 due to the remaining city damage. Section Chair Guy Ribando was undergoing successful cancer treatments in 2007 and a PFA Breakfast was held in 2008. His daughters Drs. Maria Bermaster and Valerie Hemphill made all necessary arrangements for a successful event. Past Chair Frank Martello hosted the meal program. 2004 Fellows Stan Crowley, Robert Burns, and David DeGenova were introduced. The 2005 Fellows Kishore Shetty, Gary Caskey, and Laurie Moeller were recognized. The 2006 Fellows James Heurtin, Donald Henagan, and William Darr were introduced. No Fellows were initiated in 2007 or 2008. Dr. Ross DeNicola was presented the 2004 Distinguished Dentist Award. International Trustee Karyn Stockwell was present to assist.

Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Dental Society Executive Director Dr. Robert E. Boose scribed a letter to Chair Norman Becker in thanks for being honored with their PFA Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Art and Science of Dentistry.

Mississippi

Past President Jim Long invited Trustee Karyn Stockwell to attend their Section Awards Dinner to be held in conjunction with their Mississippi State Annual Meeting last June in Sandestin, Florida.

Nebraska

Secretary/Treasurer Gary Westerman reports holding their Annual Luncheon Meeting last April at the Hilton Hotel in Omaha in conjunction with the 140th Annual Session of the Nebraska Dental Association. Chair Francis Cavlovic called the meeting to order to induct three new Fellows into membership. They were Drs. Roger Curry of Omaha, Jessica Meeske of Hastings, and Riel Whitney of Columbus. The guest speaker was NDA's Dr. Marty Ferrero. The scholarship recipients were introduced as Keith Johnson from UNMC College of Dentistry, Quinn Erwin and Matthew Kelsey from Creighton University School of Dentistry. The necrology report included Life Member Dr. Robert Pendergast from Arnold and Oklahoma Section Chair William Goodman.

North Carolina

Their Section held their annual Awards Dinner last May in conjunction with their Annual NC State Meeting at the Embassy Suites Hotel at the Kingston Plantation Resort in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

South Carolina

Trustee Karyn Stockwell attended the SC Section annual Awards Luncheon in Charleston last February. Section Chair Scott Cayouette hosted the event to honor Dr. W. Lynn Campbell with their Outstanding Dentist of the Year Award. New Fellows Drs. Greg Caputo, H.B. Dickey, Robert Ellis, Thomas Kays, Harry Koutroulakis, and Strother Murdoch were inducted into membership.

The Section completed their $10,000 two-year pledge for the Gordon B. Stine Simulation Lab Station at the College of Dental Medicine. MUSC Associate Dean and PFA Fellow, Tarig Jarved received their check and a plaque for the Lab in honor of past PFA President-elect Dr. Gordon Stine.

2006-2007 Section Chair Robert Berger received an Outgoing Chair plaque for his service to the SC PFA. The 2007-2008 Chair Scott Cayouette installed his successor Dr. Staci Gaffos. Other officers were Chair-elect Monica Cayouette, Vice Chair John Reese, and Secretary/Treasurer Craig Draffin.

Tennessee

This Section hosted their annual Breakfast Meeting last May at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis in conjunction with the Tennessee Dental Association's Annual Session.

Wisconsin

Chair Ron Stifter hosted their annual Luncheon Meeting to induct eleven new Fellows into membership. Dr. L. Stanley Brysh, Director of Dental Services for the Max Pohle Dental Clinic of Madison, was inducted into Fellowship.

Wisconsin Dental Association President Eva Dahl received the Section's 2008 Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Dahl is an Iowa graduate who contributes at Marquette's School of Dentistry. She is completing an outstanding term as WDA President.