Rhode Island
Chair and International Trustee Richard Walsh reported a very active year for their Section. Two new Fellows were inducted into membership: Warwick orthodontist Brad Turchetta and Warwick oral surgeon Leland Blough. Dr. Frank Connor, a Providence oral surgeon, received the Distinguished Service Award at their annual Dinner Meeting with some 46 Fellows in attendance. Past PFA President James Kershaw at 94 was in attendance as well. The PFA computer presentation was viewed by the membership.
The anti-Smokeless Tobacco Program, started by past Chair Christine Benoit through a Foundation grant in 2001 is still very active under the initiative of Fellows Frank De Quattro, Michelle Smith-Goncalves, and John Underhill. They give talks at schools, athletic programs, parent assemblies, baseball clinics, and health fairs. They hosted a booth at each of the two State-wide Cancer Awareness Days.
The mentorship program has slipped in activity because Rhode Island does not have its own dental school, and the number of dentists in the State has dwindled. A number of Fellows have volunteered for mentorship, but fewer new dentists are locating in the area. Fellow Marty Nager annually addresses the pre-dental students at the University of Rhode Island to continue to make the students and new dentists aware of this opportunity.
Their third active program is the Section’s Donated Dental Services; 85% of their membership participate in this project.
South Carolina
PFA President-elect Howard Mark attended their section Meeting last 26 February and presented the 2004 President’s Award to past PFA President-elect Gordan Stine of Charleston (St. James Island).
Utah
Chair Richard O. Petty hosted their largest-ever annual Breakfast Meeting in Salt Lake City with past PFA President Gary Lowder in attendance along with Fellow Joel Glover of Reno, the ADA 14th District Trustee, and with Fellow Newell Warr, ICD 14th District Regent. Also in attendance was 1992 PFA Gold Medal recipient Gordon J. Christensen. Four new Fellows were inducted into membership—Drs. Jim Ott of St. George, Gary Crawford of Provo, Paul Innis of Park City, and Jeremy Ellis of Logan. The Meeting was addressed by Lane Beattie, President of the Salt Lake City Chamber of Commerce, who had also been a past State Senator for 12 years. He also served as the Chief State Olympic Officer in managing the 2002 Salt lake City Winter Olympics. Dr. Gary Lowder was honored by his Section in receiving a Special State Section Chair Award for his dedicated services to the Utah Section, PFA internationally, and now as the Foundation Grants Chairman.
Washington State
Chair David Minahan inducted four new Fellows into membership at the Washington Athletic Club with some fifty Fellows in attendance. The new members were Drs. Sarah Fraker, Keith Leonard, Randall Ogata, and Richard Seims. The induction was held at a cocktail party prior to the Washington Oral Health Foundation Gala.
Plans are being formulated for participation in the 14th Annual Continuing Dental Education Day with the Washington State Sections of the ACD and ICD. The events provide scholarship funds for the dental students at the University of Washington School of Dentistry.
Wyoming
Chair Scott Houfek hosted their annual Breakfast Meeting during the Wyoming Dental Association Meeting with ACD, ICD, and ADI. Four new inductees are in the planning stages for this year.
