Page 15 - GP Fall 2022_Neat

2022 AGD Leadership Development Symposium:

“Extraordinary Leaders in Extraordinary Times”

Author: Seung-Hee Rhee, DDS, MAGD

The 2022 AGD Leadership Development note address by Dr. Bruce Burton, an AGD President of NYSAGD. Even though they
Symposium, hosted by the AGD Regional Past President, who spoke about “Keys to are both seasoned leaders of AGD, Dr. Ve-
Directors, took place on April 1-2, 2022 at Leadership – Surviving and Thriving in itz-Keenan and Dr. Keenan, both remarked
the Swissotel in Downtown Chicago, IL. Extraordinary Times.” Afterwards, the at- that they learned a lot about developing their

The symposium, which takes place every tendees were divided into three groups and leadership skills at this symposium and are
two years, was attended by over one hundred through intimate sessions and group discus- excited to implement what they have learned
AGD members. It is designed to motivate, sions, they learned about the true meaning to bring the NYSAGD to the next level.
engage, and equip new and seasoned AGD of leadership, identifying their strengths, and
leaders with the necessary tools to become developing techniques that build confidence. The symposium came to an end on Satur-

“Extraordinary Leaders in Extraordi- Throughout the symposium, the underlying day morning with closing remarks from Dr.
nary Times.” message was clear: That a leader is not born, Bruce DeGinder, another AGD Past Presi-
but made through hard work and dedication. dent, who concluded the symposium with
During the one and a half days of the sympo- “Pulling it All Together.” The 2022 AGD
sium, AGD’s own experienced and inspiring NYSAGD was honored to have two of its vol- Leadership Development Symposium was
volunteer leaders shared their knowledge unteer leaders selected to attend this import- made possible thanks to our generous spon-
and experiences through a variety of collab- ant symposium: Dr. Analia Veitz-Keenan, sors, Crest Plus Oral B and Hagan Insur-
orative and interactive sessions. The LDS DDS – President Elect of NYSAGD - and ance Group.
began Friday morning with a stirring key- Dr. James Keenan, DDS, MAGD – Past

Drs. Gerald Botko, James Keenan Drs. James Keenan, Analia Veitz-Keenan Drs. Seung-Hee Rhee and Drs. Gerald Botko and
and Analia Veitz-Keenan. and Seung-Hee Rhee. Bruce DeGinder. James Keenan.
Life-long Leadership

Author: James R. Keenan, DDS, MS, MAGD

Although I had already attended an AGD with many colleagues and friends and to rience with the COVID pandemic along
Leadership Development Symposium meet so many talented and enthusiastic with the diverse and evolving needs of our
(LDS) in Chicago in 2010 and served as emerging leaders. colleagues, especially our recent graduates
the NYSAGD President during 2017, I and new dentists. However, it is vital that
had a strong belief that I could still bene- Dr. Bruce Burton (2005-2006), Dr. Bruce we uphold the core values of the AGD and
fit from attending the AGD LDS this past DeGinder (2006-2007), and Dr. David its mission of advocacy for the general den-
April. Since 2010, there have been signif- Halpern (2009-2010), who had already tist, the promotion of CE, and the preser-
icant changes in the views of younger fel- served as AGD Presidents, were highly vation and promotion of the oral health of
low dentists with regards to participation instrumental in providing an informative, the public as we find and implement ways
in organized dentistry and the structuring thought-provoking, and motivational pro- to pass on the many benefits that member-
of continuing education delivery modes. I gram. Collectively, they demonstrated true ship in the AGD has to offer. I encourage
want to be more effective in relating to and leadership qualities by continuing to serve new leaders to emerge and past officers to
communicating with a younger generation the AGD despite not being in office and continue to serve as “life-long leaders” as
of dentists to promote their membership in having an even more significant roles in de- we expand and strengthen the Academy of
the AGD and to engage their participation veloping emerging leaders and reinforcing General Dentistry.
in AGD-related programs and events, in- the benefits offered by AGD membership,
cluding leadership development. Dr. James Keenan is a
I have a strong belief that myself along Clinical Assistant Pro-
The LDS exceeded my expectations and with others who have previously served as fessor at NYU College of
proved to be more beneficial than the one officers in the AGD have an ongoing re- Dentistry, Oral and Maxil-
which I attended in 2010. I would like to sponsibility to facilitate the development of lofacial Pathology, Radiol-
commend the organizers and the partici- emerging leaders on the local and national ogy and Medicine.
pants for their time and efforts in present- levels. We cannot overlook the challenges
ing an impactful program for our emerging that we face brought on by an unprece-
leaders. It was such a pleasure to reunite dented disruptive and life-changing expe-
www.nysagd.org l Fall 2022 l GP 15