Last month’s AGD annual meeting in Baltimore was a great success filled with educational opportunities, fellowship and fun!  From Cal Ripkin Jr.’s Opening Ceremony Keynote Address on Thursday to the AGD’s Premier Celebration on Saturday, there was something for everyone. Beyond the outstanding educational opportunities found at every meeting, there was a special opportunity for Fellowship Candidates to hear presentations on each of the dental specialties.  Region 17 members hosted the AGD’s Fellowship Review Course on Wednesday and Thursday.  Twelve speakers from the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Coast Guard presented sixteen hours of lectures geared to help candidates pass the rigorous Fellowship Exam.  I’d like to personally thank Air Force members Col Timothy Halligan, Col Jennifer Harte, and Col Christopher Lauritzen for their presentations on Patient/Risk Management, Pharmacology, Oral Medicine, Infection Control, and Dental Materials.  Thanks to each of you all for your hard work, dedication, and contributions to the Academy.  I’d also like to give a special thanks to Major David Klingman who assisted me in hosting the course.

Recognition

An important part of the Academy’s Annual Meeting is the recognition given to constituents and individuals for their accomplishments, both personal and organizational.  The Air Force Constituent received recognition in two award categories.  We received honorable mention in the William W. Howard ACE Award for communications and the AGD’s Membership Award.  Congratulations also go out to our new Air Force Fellows and Masters.  The new 2009 Air Force Fellows are:

                                                            Dr. Derek A. Budman

                                                            Dr. John K. Chan

                                                            Dr. Mark R. Henderson

                                                            Dr. Li-Kuei G. Hung

The 2009 Air Force Master recipients are:

                                                            Dr. Mullen O. Coover

                                                            Dr. Joel C. Knutson

                                                            Dr. Walter L. Thomas

                                                            Dr. Judy P. Strickland

Special congratulations go out to Dr. Gerald Raybeck, DDS, MAGD who received the Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition.  This prestigious award is given out to Masters in the Academy who have completed over 1600 hours of continuing education and performed 100 hours of community service.  This is the Academy’s most prestigious award, and we are very, very proud of Dr. Raybeck’s achievement.

At the meeting, I had the pleasure of meeting some of the Air Force dentists in attendance.  Thank you for attending the meeting. I hope it sparked an interest in becoming more involved in organized dentistry.  We are always seeking individuals who are interested in serving either as an officer or committee member in our constituent.

During the meeting, I had the honor, along with Dr. Klingman, as serving as your representative to the AGD’s House of Delegates.  Several items of interest to Air Force dentists were discussed and approved.  I also sat in on the Region 17 Caucus chaired by Col Grant Hartup, out-going Regional Director, and our new Region 17 Trustee.  The Region 17 Caucus allowed the Federal Service Constituents to discuss matters of interest to military, VA, and Public Health Service Dentists.  Following the Caucus, I hosted the Air Force Constituent meeting.  Minutes from the meeting will be posted soon on our website in the “News” section.  Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions/comments/suggestions. 

Air Force AGD Leadership/Elections

Our constituent is still seeking nominations for the offices of Treasurer and President-Elect. The Constituent Treasurer is responsible for preparing an annual budget, reporting on the fiscal health of the constituent, and maintaining and managing the constituent’s funds.  Lt Col Kathleen Gates has done an amazing job as our treasurer and kept us financially sound.  Her two-year term will end this summer in July at this year’s annual meeting in Baltimore.  Also, since I assumed the position of constituent president, we are seeking nominations for the position of President-Elect.  This position prepares you to assume the roles and responsibilities of the president and allows the President-Elect to learn the workings of organized dentistry at the national level.  To be eligible, you must be an active, retired, or emeritus member of the Air Force Constituent.  If interested, please forward your request and curriculum vitae directly to me at: michael.wajdowicz@lackland.af.mil.  We are also looking for volunteers interested in sitting on the membership and Continuing Education Committees.  Please contact me if you might have an interest in volunteering your time to our constituent. Interest and response has been somewhat underwhelming so far.  Keep in mind that serving as a constituent officer not only allows you to hone your leadership skills, but also lets you make a difference in dentistry at the national level.

Besides opportunities to serve the Air Force Constituent, there are many ways to volunteer in the Academy.  There are several committees and boards that need volunteers.  If you’re interested, you can learn about the opportunities by visiting the “Call for Volunteer Leaders” in the governance section of the AGD Web site at: www.agd.org.

Membership

I’d like welcome all new members!  Lt Col(S) Littlefield, our Membership Chairman, and I have tried to contact each one of you to personally welcome you to the AGD and congratulate you on making a very exciting professional choice. I look forward to meeting you and representing you at the annual meetings.  I’d also like to urge you to consider becoming active in the constituent by seeking a leadership position or assuming a role on one of our committees.  I know you’ll enjoy being an AGD member and hope you’ll spread the word about organized dentistry.  Special welcome to our newest members:

                                                   Dr. Hoikka, Dr. Knapp-Heisey, and Dr. Mericle

In Closing...

Thanks for being part of organized dentistry.  Remember, the AGD is the only national organization with the sole purpose of representing and promoting the needs of general dentists at the national level. I hope to provide you with all the resources that the Academy has to offer and encourage you to become involved in the AF Constituent.