Page 5 - GP Spring 2018

From the Regional Director

Ira Levine, DDS, MAGD Clearly, there is more that your board can do to serve you better.
We are trying to restructure to be more effective and we do need an
As Regional Director, I have many responsi- infusion of new ideas and energy to help drive us forward. I truly
bilities. Initially I was reluctant about taking appreciate all those members who refer others to this great orga-
on the position. You see, it is my nature not to nization. You deserve applause for your belief in and dedication
do anything half-way. I put my whole heart to the AGD. I wish I could inspire others to follow suit. I wish I
and soul into it. Consequently, sometimes I could inspire each and every one of you to become more involved,
get very frustrated, but the reward when I am even if it is just to join a committee. Lend us your knowledge and
successful and have made a positive impact. experience. Contact me, a board member, or our executive direc-
tor and we will respond.
At this time, my specific responsibilities that
I feel are the most important are as follows: Items 1 and 2 have definitely been trials for me. However, I am
excited to report that we have made great progress in developing
1. Work to make the local organization as effective and ac- student chapters. We currently have student chapters at NYU, Co-
tive as possible. lumbia and Buffalo, and are currently working on establishing a
chapter at Touro. Drs. Dyzenhaus, Keenan, Oen and Rhee, as well
2. Assist in membership recruitment and retention.
as Paula Bostick, our executive director, have been instrumental in
3. Identification and training of leaders/succession planning. pushing this project forward. It is my belief that building leader-
ship skills in our students and residents, will help them throughout
continued on page 16
From the National Trustee

Abe Dyzenhaus, DDS, FAGD center in the United States. The walk from our hotel adjacent to the
convention center took approximately 15 minutes. During those
During the first weekend in November the New walks, a lot of conversation took place regarding the resolutions
York AGD delegation flew to Chicago to attend that were in front of the House.
the AGD House of Delegates (HOD) meeting.
It was the first HOD without the educational Some of the topics discussed at the House included dental stu-
component, which was held in Las Vegas in dent HOD representation, the 2018 budget, and term limits for the
July. speaker and editor. The House also contemplated policy statements
on sugar consumption, flossing, and educating the profession and
The New York delegation consisted of 13 mem- the public about the HPV vaccine and oral cancer.
bers, who are also members of the NYSAGD
Board of Trustees. The House concluded with the installation of officers. The new
president is Dr. Manuel Cordero from New Jersey. The presi-
The meeting was held at the McCormick Place Convention Center, dent-elect is Dr. Neil Gajjar from Canada; the vice president is
south of the famous Chicago loop, and it’s the biggest convention continued on page 25

From the Executive Director

Paula Bostick, Executive Director pleased that progress is being made, but we still have work to do in
getting student chapters started at the remaining schools.
A Message to Our Student Members
This is where our student members can help us. If you attend Stony
Hip hip hooray! The AGD student chapters of Brook, or Touro, this would be a great time to consider starting an
New York are in full swing. First, NYU Col- AGD student chapter at your school. The benefits are endless and
lege of Dentistry, then Columbia and now the we will support you every step of the way. We will help you set up
University at Buffalo School of Dental Med- Lunch and Learns, track and earn CE credits towards Fellowship,
icine have submitted applications to National and keep you informed about the benefits of AGD membership,
to start AGD student chapters. its advocacy efforts, and issues affecting dental students and orga-
nized dentistry now and after graduation.
This is something the New York AGD has
worked hard to establish at our local dental schools. We are continued on page 25
www.nysagd.org l Spring 2018 l GP 5