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94th FDI World Congress, Shenzhen, China

147th ADA Annual Session, Las Vegas, Nevada

PFA Annual Board Meetings, Las Vegas, Nevada

82nd Annual Session of the Greater New York Dental meeting, New York, New York

11:30 am–2 pm PFA Awards Luncheon, Ballroom 3

6:30–8 pm PFA President’s Reception, Acacia Ballroom 1

6:30–10:30 pm PFA Dinner Party, Mesquite Room 1

Canada

Past President Michael Cripton (1994-1995) was the first PFA International President not to reside in the United States. His service opened up the Academy to becoming a truly international organization. Dr. Cripton continued to serve PFA after his Presidency and lead the way on many issues. Michael’s style was to allow debate on an issue to rage back and forth until he would quietly offer a resolution to the matter and the debate was over in accepting his solution. His gentle, quiet manner was well known for putting to rest fiery issues. He served on the Board of Trustees for the PFA Foundation until his untimely illness. His dear wife, Nancy, has informed the Academy that Mike has now moved to a Special Care Home last June. That had been a difficult decision for Nancy to make, but the time had come. The Special Care Home is like a very large bungalow-style residence. “Mike seems very content there,” relates Nancy Cripton, “And he receives excellent care. He is still the caring, gentle person he always was and has never become aggressive like so many people afflicted with dementia do out of frustration. This has been a dreadful disease, but we are taking it one day at a time.”

Past PFA President Kevin Roach, the second international PFA President from Canada, added, “Mike was an interesting President to say the least, and he opened the door to other ‘colonials’ such as myself and incoming President William Winspear of Australia. His quiet manner and sage advice will be sorely missed at our Board Table.”

International Trustee for Canada Barry Dolman was offering some Quebec cultural asides in a recent e-mail that were unbelievably interesting, and should be noted for future reference by anyone traveling between Canada’s Quebec and their country. Dated July, Barry writes, “Sorry for the delay as it is the official vacation period here in Quebec, and I have been away from my desk. There are a few unique social features we have in this province-–other than language (French). One is that all apartment rental contracts end on July 1st. So it is considered the official ‘moving day’ for everyone. Try to imagine everyone moving the same day, with people leaving apartments, and people moving in to apartments, clogging the street with moving truck and trailers--all on the same day! The other is the vacation period established by decree. A number of years ago, all the construction unions established by law that they would all close at the same time-–the last two full weeks of July-–in order for families and friends to have the same time off. Of course, that snowballed into a situation where it became more and more convenient for everyone to vacation together… thus no patients, no reason to keep your dental office open.”

United States

California, Northern Section
Dr. Marc Geissberger, Associate Professor at UOP’s Art Dugoni School of Dentistry, was named President of Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Honor Society Supreme Chapter for 2006-2007. OKU Supreme Chapter serves as the governing body for its 57 component chapters throughout the country. Established in 1914, OKU honors dental students who have distinguished themselves with a high level of scholarship, as well as exemplary traits of character. Dr. Geissberger is currently Treasurer of the Art Dugoni School of Dentistry Alumni Association, a PFA Fellow, and member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s University Council.

OKU President Marc Geissberger

Dean Art Dugoni was approved by UOP’s Board of Regents to receive their highest award, the Order of the Pacific, which he accepted last June at the dental school graduation ceremonies. Pacific’s Alumni Association honored Dean Dugoni at their 48th annual Distinguished Alumni Awards banquet with their Medallion of Excellence, which has only been awarded to seven individuals in the school’s history.

Dr. Art Dugoni is the first dentist to receive an honorary degree from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry last May, which was a busy month for him. Dr. Dugoni was the featured speaker at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and at the Indiana University School of Dentistry commencement ceremonies.

Michigan
Our President Howard Mark had his letter to the Editor of the Michigan Dental Journal printed, pointing out that the recommended dental goals of MDA are those that PFA espouses as well. He also extended congratulations on MDA’s 150th Anniversary.

New York
Section Chair Lynne Halik hosted their annual Section Meeting last June in Cooperstown to induct new Fellows into the Academy and present their Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Mark Feldman, the incoming President-Elect of the ADA. Foundation Executive Director Fred Halik addressed the group on the Foundation’s activities.

Georgia
Last March, the Georgia Section hosted the annual ACD, ICD, and PFA joint Breakfast Meeting held in conjunction with Hinman Dental Meeting. The Georgia Dental Association President Fellow Richard Weinman was the keynote speaker. Forty PFA Fellows were in attendance.

Last July, the PFA Fellows gathered with ACD and ICD for another joint Breakfast Meeting during the Georgia Dental Association’s Annual Meeting at Amelia Island Plantation.

PFA Fellows Brian Carpenter, A. Drew Ferguson IV, and Kent Percy received Honorable Fellowship Awards from the Georgia Dental Association at their annual Awards breakfast. This award is for members who have rendered more than usual service to the Georgia Dental Association, have been members for ten continuous years, and are recommended by other GDA members for such an award.

PFA Fellow John Feihaut received the GDA’s Award of Merit at their annual Meeting. This is the highest honor that the association can bestow upon a member and is only given to a candidate who has truly exhibited service and merit above recognized standards. This award is not necessarily presented every year.

Fellow Jonathan Dubin received one of five Healthcare Georgia Foundation 2006 Community Service Awards. The award recognizes individuals for their dedication and commitment to improving health and health care across Georgia. Dr. Dubin received an engraved crystal award and the Foundation presented $1000 check to the charity of his choice. Dr. Dubin has volunteered for the past six years for Special Olympics Special Smiles, an oral health-screening program that is offered to all athletes that attend the Special Olympics Georgia State Summer Games. He organizes the event each year, recruits volunteers, and solicits donations. His $1000 award went to Special Olympics Special Smiles.

Fellow I. Leon Aronson of Savannah has become the 72nd President of the International College of Dentists, USA Section. Dr. Aronson received his dental degree from Emory University in 1963 and served in the US Air Force. He then earned his Master’s Degree in Orthodontics from St. Louis University in 1967 and has practiced as an orthodontist in Savannah for 33 years until retiring in 2000. Dr. Aronson is past President of the Georgia Dental Association, the Georgia Association of Orthodontists, and of the Southeastern District Dental Society. He is a Georgia Dental Association Award of Merit honoree and a GDA Honorable Fellow.

Wisconsin
Dr. Ronald P. Stifter of Saukville has been recommended to replace the retiring Section Chair Glenn Maihofer. Dr. Maihofer has done a splendid job as Wisconsin’s Section leader, but he needs some time for his family. Dr. Ronald Stifter is an excellent choice to assume Glenn’s role. Dr. Stifter has served on the faculty of Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee since 1970. So he knows a great many dentists in the State. He served as WDA’s President in 1992-1993. He is currently serving as ACD’s Section Chair and is an ICD Fellow as well.