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Regions & Sections
Fauchard Gold Medal Award
The Pierre Fauchard Academy awards the Fauchard Gold Medal annually to a person who has made outstanding contributions to the progress and standing of the dental profession. The recipient is nominated by the Committee of Past Recipients which includes all living past recipients of the medal and must be approved by the Board of Trustees. The Medal is presented at the time of the Awards Luncheon during the Annual Session of the American Dental Association.
President Schafhauser presenting the Gold Medal Award to Dr. Summerhays at the 80th Annual Awards Luncheon
2016 Gold Medal Award Recipient:
Carol G Summerhays, DDS
Dr. Carol Gomez Summerhays, a San Diego-based general dentist, was installed as President of the American Dental Association.
Dr. Summerhays graduated from the University of San Francisco with a B.S. in Biology and earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Ostrow School of Dentistry at the University of Southern California in 1978. She attended dental school on a full scholarship through the Armed Forces Health Professions program.
Dr. Summerhays served four years on active duty in the Navy Dental Corps and 11 years of inactive duty rising to the rank of Lieutenant. She started full time private practice in 1982.
Some of her past positions include past president of the California Dental Association, Board member of The Dentists Insurance Company as well as the CDA Foundation. She has held positions with the Academy of General Dentistry and was a Board member for 10 years at the Pankey Institute. Dr. Summerhays served as the Thirteenth District trustee of the American Dental Association. ADA committee appointments include Compensation, Governance, Pension, and the FDI delegation. ADA trustee liaison appointments include the New Dentist Committee, the Council on Government Affairs, and the Council on Members Insurance and Retirement Programs. Dr. Summerhays served as an at-large member of the Strategic Planning Committee for four years with an additional two years as trustee, and as a national advisor to the ADA Institute for Diversity. She is a fellow of the American College of Dentistry, the International College of Dentistry, the Academy of Dentistry International, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Additionally, she earned a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry and the AGD LLSR Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition Award.
In San Diego, Dr. Summerhays was honored in 2010 by the Salvation Army as one of the “Women of Dedication—Portraits in Philanthropy” and by the Girl Scouts as one of “San Diego’s 10 Cool Women.” She and her husband of 32 years, Soames, have two sons, Giles and Bryce.
