This annual highlight of the PFA year was held on 18 October 2008 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Antonio, Texas, during the ADA session.

Classic PFA Honors for 2008

Dean Jeffcoat receiving award from Vice President Steve Hedlund and President James Englander

PFA Gold Medal

This premier award is presented to an outstanding individual in the profession of dentistry in the United States. This year the Awards Committee selected Dr. Marjorie K. Jeffcoat, the first woman Dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.

Elmer S. Best Memorial Award

This premier award is presented to an outstanding individual in the profession of dentistry in the world outside of the United States. This year the Awards Committee selected Dr. Carlos P. Marinello of Zurich, Switzerland. The Award was presented by President James Englander last summer in Switzerland.

Dental trade & Industry Award

This special award was presented to Saul Breitman of the Barnabo y Cia Company of Argentina. Accepting this distinction on his behalf was his niece.

Presidential Award #1

This award is personally selected by the current PFA President. Dr. James Englander selected Bernita Bush who had achieved her notoriety in dental education in Switzerland at the Dental Hygiene School.

A Barnabo y Cia representative accepting the Dental Trade & Industry Award

Bernita Bush receiving award from President James Englander and European Trustee Jose Dahan

President's Award #2

This unusual second award was selected by President James Englander in recognition of the outstanding service to PFA and to international Fellowship by Japan's outstanding professional Trustee Mamoru Sakuda. He became a PFA Fellow in 1975 and soon rose to the position of Section Chair for Japan. In 2001, Dr. Sakuda attained the position of Region 9 Trustee where he continued to earn the respect of professionals from all over the world, as he had in his career in Japan. Due to family obligations he declined to be considered for PFA International President. Dr. Sakuda has achieved a high respect among his peers serving as an example for the principles of PFA in Asia.

Dr. Sakuda receiving award from President Englander

International Honorary Fellowship #1

This award is selected by the Awards Committee to recognize a dental professional internationally who has achieved outstanding status in the profession. This year's selection was Dr. Raphael Balducci Filho of Sao Paulo, Brazil. He has served as First Vice President for the Sao Paulo Dental Association APCD 1985-1989, and then was elected President from 1990 through 2000. He is founder of the Sao Paulo Dental Congress CIOSP, which has attained an attendance of 50,000. He has served in many governmental positions. He received the Medal of Order of the Aeronautical Merit and the Medal of Honour from the Federal Council of Dentistry in 2005. He was the patron of the First PFA Latin American Meeting.

L-R, President-elect Charles Eller, President James Englander, interpreter, Dr. Balducci Filho, aide, and Latin America Trustee Ernesto Acuna

Honorary Fellowship #2

Daniel R. Jonker, the PFA's certified public accountant for decades, was recognized for his outstanding service to the Academy in keeping our financial books in order. Dan started his own accounting firm in 1968 after graduating with a BS from DePaul University. Dan has kept up with all the newest technology. His Budget and Financial Program, developed in 1982, grows with the Academy and keeps PFA on the cutting edge of technology in the accounting field.

L-R, Dan Jonker, Mrs. Jonker, Secretary General Richard Kozal, and President Englander

Retiring European Trustee Hubert Ouvrard now elected as PFA International Vice President

Retiring trustees

President James Englander honored retiring Trustees Dr. Barry Dolman of Canada and Dr. Mamoru Sakuda of Japan and Trustee Dr. Hubert Ouvrard of France.

President James Englander then presented retiring Section Chair plaques like to Rhode Island's Chair Trustee Richard Walsh.

Installation of new Fellows

Secretary General Richard Kozal and President James Englander inducted new Fellows into membership for the Academy.

Induction of new Fellows

Installation of new officers

Past President and Foundation President M. David Campbell accepted the honor to induct the new PFA International Officers for 2008-2009. President Dr. Charles G. Eller of California was selected to become President. Dr. James Englander becomes Immediate past President. Dr. Steve Hedlund of Iowa becomes President-elect. And Hubert Ouvrard of France was elected Vice President. Also installed were Dr. Jose Dahan of Belgium as Trustee for Europe (Region 1) and Dr. Kiyoshi Ohura of Japan as Trustee for Asia (Region 9).

L-R, New 2009 Officers being sworn in by Dr. David Campbell (left), Dr. Ohura of Japan, Dr. Dahan of Belgium, Vice President Hubert Ouvrard of France, President-elect Steve Hedlund of Iowa

Dr. Charles Eller being sworn in as President