My Trail Ends in Full Circle

Greetings to all my Wisconsin AGD colleagues!

My name is John Olsen, your 2023 WiAGD president. I am writing to you with 3 goals. First, I want to promote continuing education, specifically the Fellowship and Mastership within the AGD. Second, I want to increase Wisconsin AGD membership. Finally, I want to add interested members to our Board.

I have been on a long journey in the AGD political/governmental circles. Many years ago, I volunteered to serve on the committee writing the Fellowship examination. From there I served as the examination chair for the council. It is of the utmost importance, especially in today’s social and legal environment, that continuing education is promoted and fostered. As members of the AGD, there are pathways of education available that are all PACE approved and will help you achieve the goal of FAGD. I strongly recommend that you commit yourself to these goals. The Wisconsin Board wants to mentor those who are obtaining their Fellowship and are considering a Fellowship study club for those who are interested.

I am also the CE chair in Wisconsin, and my promise to all is that I will promote, advertise and execute a strong CE presence for all of our members. I have also taken on the responsibility of the Chair of the MasterTrack committee that Wisconsin and Illinois partner with. There are four Master Track courses that will be held
in Alsip, Illinois through 2023. I want you all to know that these courses are all hands-on lecture courses in a plethora of disciplines in dentistry. An AGD member does not have to be on a Master Track pathway to take the course. They can take them toward their Fellowship as well. The courses are with world renown lecturers and are very affordable. It is also a great way to bond and form a comradery between colleagues. Members can
find more on these courses through our newsletter, “The Mirror,” our new website, email blasts, and soon social media pages as well.

I ask everyone to help us increase membership by recruiting your fellow dental colleagues. The AGD is a powerful force and voice in dentistry and is the only organization representing the general dentist. We need members to continue advocating and protecting our profession. Additionally, there are many benefits and opportunities offered through the AGD. For example, four of the AGD’s recent leaders have become presidents of the ADA, specifically the last three. The AGD is committed to promoting a strong political presence that fights for our rights and responsibilities as a G.Ps. Please help us promote membership in our valuable organization.

My final goal is to recruit volunteers to actively participate on our Board. I started on the AGD board many years ago and have never regretted it. My experience with the board started with the membership chair and has included a delegate at the House of Delegates, Regional Director, Trustee, and most recently I campaigned for AGD presidency. What a journey it has been for me as I am now honored to be back as your WI president again.

Please reach out to me if you have any desire to volunteer as a board member or serve on any one of our many councils.

Thank you all for that you do in dentistry and for your patient population.

Let’s bring WI AGD Back!

Sincerely,

John Olsen DDS, MAGD.

LLSR recipient in the AGD.

Olsen.j.a@att.net cell 4143497244