Page 3 - GP FALL 2010

Editorial
The Award Winning Journal
of the New York State Academy of
General Dentistry A Helping Hand by Seung-Hee Rhee, DDS, FAGD
222 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite PH, t is Saturday, July 10, time she got up the nerve to speak in front of over
White Plains, NY 10605 2010. The place is New 250 representatives of the AGD. Not many peo-
Tel: 914-683-1139 Fax: 914-683-1345 IOrleans, Louisiana. It ple knew but she was terrified of public speaking.
www.agd.org www.nysagd.org is 6:00 in the morning and She almost lost courage and went back to her
Seung-Hee Rhee, DDS, FAGD – Editor
Michael Steinberg, DDS – Associate Editor already it is sweltering. seat. But then she remembered the previous day,
Steven Eichberg – Executive Director The sun is barely up but as she sat nervously at the head table as a first
Paula Bostick - Education Manager you can already feel the time member of the Reference Committee,
heavy moisture in the air addressing the issues at hand with hundred pairs
2010-2011 Executive Council and the beads of sweat of eyes staring at her. How as her name was
ready to race down your back. It is going to be introduced, her colleagues from NY gave a loud
President – Ira Levine, DDS, FAGD another hot day. cheer in support, letting her know that there are
111 North Central Park Avenue, Suite 280, Hartsdale, NY 10538 In this unfavorable condition, a race is about to friends out there. She also remembered an advice
start. It’s the AGD Foundation 5k Fun Run/Walk given to her by Jay Orlikoff, Past President of
President-Elect – Muhammed Kasem, DDS, MAGD
479 Bay Ridge Parkway, Brooklyn, NY 11209 (that’s about 3.3 miles to you and me). It is an NYSAGD. When she confided in him about her
annual charity event where participants enjoy a run, fear of public speaking, he told her what Jerry
Vice President – Louis Bartimmo, DMD a jog or a walk while supporting the Seinfeld said on the subject. According to
535 Plandome Rd., Manhasset, NY 11030-1961 AGD Foundation in its mission to advance the oral Seinfeld, more people are afraid of public speak-
health of the public and support the efforts of gen- ing than they are of dying (that did not help her).
Treasurer – Berry Stahl, DDS
4424 Third Avenue, Bronx, NY 10457 eral dentists. About 150 people – runners, volun- So it is more terrifying to deliver the eulogy than
teers, supporters – gathered not too far from the to be the subject of the eulogy (that made her
Secretary – Sheri Glazer, DDS banks of the mighty Mississippi River for this laugh). Jay advised her to practice and also to
260 Middle Country Road, Suite 202, Smithtown, NY 11787 event. You see the young and old, fit and not-so- select a friend in the audience on the left side and
fit, smiling faces all around. Some are anxious to a friend on the right side and speak directly to
Editor – Seung-Hee Rhee, DDS, FAGD start. Others are ready to enjoy a leisurely run at them. He said that it was the same advice given
286 Madison Avenue, Suite 500, New York, NY 10017
their own pace. And they are off! It is a double to him by Howard Glazer, Past President of
National Trustee – John C. Comisi, DDS, FACD, FAGD loop run which means they will run along the banks AGD/NYSAGD. He also told her that if she is
2333 N. Triphammer Rd., Suite 304, Ithaca, NY 14850 of Mississippi, make a turn, run back towards the ever scared to speak at a meeting, he would be
finishing line, and repeat. As predicted, the condi- honored if she chose him to be the one she looked at.
Regional Director – Abe Dyzenhaus, DDS, FAGD tions are grueling. After the first loop, all the run- As she remembered these things, she smiled
84-09 35 Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372
ners are covered in sweat. Everyone grabs a cup of and stepped up to the microphone and had her say
Immediate Past President – Janice Pliszczak, DDS, MS, water from the watering stand and also gets cheers in front of 250 people. Despite her nervousness,
MBA, MAGD and encouragements as a bonus. But in 13 minutes she noted that many people clapped in support of
4525 W. Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215 and 46 seconds, we have our first winner. what she had to say and that yes, there were
Predictably, it is one of our military personnel. Dr. indeed many friends among the crowd.
Area Vice Presidents
Loren Masuoka of Army AGD takes first place. My mom used to tell me that if our hands
Region I – Manhattan The first female to cross, Dr. Chirsty Kirk, also were as hard working as our eyes, we would get
Benjamin Godder, DMD – (212)750-3478 takes third place overall at 14.42. more things done. She is right – our eyes do see
Tony D. Wu, DDS, FAGD – (212)682-0888 Then something wonderful happened. Many everything but our hands don’t do everything that
who already finished the race, instead of resting they should. But it is the hands that move the
Region II – Brooklyn/ Staten Island
Henry Amen, DDS - (718)836-7612 or replenishing, went back into the race despite world. It is the hands that lend support to a friend
Michael Steinberg, DDS – (718)743-6680 the horrid conditions. Some young men and in need. It is the hands that wipe away tears and
women went back to help their friends sprint to fix scraped knees on a child. It is the hands that
Region III – Albany/Monticello/Kingston the finish to make better time, yelling encourage- clapped and typed an email that lent courage for
Edmise Forestal, DDS – (347)563-0146 ments like drill sergeants. Some went back to run a dentist to get over her fear of public speaking.
alongside their family and friends. Others went It is the hands of Dr. Fabiola Milord that helped
Region IV – Schenectady/Northern Tier
Marshall Price, DDS – (518)356-0077 back to lend their support, both physically and relieve so much pain and suffering in Haiti as you
mentally, to those who may not be as fast as they will read in this issue of GP. As dentists, we are
Region V – Syracuse/Utica once used to be. A smile spread across a strug- frequently thanked by our patients for helping
Janice Pliszczak, DDS, MS, MBA, MAGD – (315)469-3229 gling, elderly gentleman’s face as a young col- them. But too often, we in turn forget to thank
league came alongside to run the last mile with those who help us in our every day, to make what
Region VI – Binghamton/Elmira
Joseph Jaen, DDS, FAGD – (607)723-9391 him. As the two men ran together, their steps we do possible and lend us a helping hand, even
seem lighter than it was just a few moments without us asking them to. They are our families,
Region VII – Rochester before. Things are always a little easier with a our loved ones, our hard working staff. They are
Teresa Skalyo, DDS, FAGD – (585) 797-4579 friend by your side. And one by one, they all our dedicated members of the NYSAGD. Let us
cross the finish line. remember to take the time to say “thank you” to
Region VIII – Buffalo/Niagara/Jamestown
Nicholas Rodo, DDS, MAGD – (716)675-2900 Flash back a few days. The place is a large all those wonderful helping hands that guide and
ballroom at Hilton Riverside Hotel that has been support us each and every day. And Jay, thanks
Region IX – converted to host the House of Delegates for the - it worked!
Westchester/Rockland/Orange/Putnam/Dutchess AGD. The HOD is in full swing and a delegate
Ira Levine, DDS, FAGD – (914)997-2775 from NY is nervously standing in line at one of
the microphones for a chance to speak. Although
Region X – Nassau
Joel Goldenberg, DDS, FAGD – (516)561-0957 it is not her first time at the HOD, it is the first
B.K. Verma, DDS, FICOI, FAGD – (718)699-8268
GP – The Journal of the New York State Academy of General Dentistry is published twice a year by the
Region XI – Queens New York State Academy of General Dentistry. The issues are mailed out in March and September to all the
James Keenan, DDS, MAGD – (718)474-4075 members of the New York State Academy of General Dentistry. All correspondence should be addressed to
Arthur Volker, DDS, FAGD – (718) 937-6750 the Editor at 286 Madison Avenue, Suite 500, New York, NY 10017 or e-mailed to dr.rhee@yahoo.com.
Region XII – Suffolk The views, opinions and recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the respective
Sheri Glazer, DDS – (631)361-3666 authors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Academy of General Dentistry. The publication of an
Jay Orlikoff, DDS, FAGD – (631)751-8222
advertisement in GP – The Journal of the New York State Academy of General Dentistry does not indi-
cate an endorsement of products or services.
Region XIII - Bronx www.nysagd.org | Fall 2010 | GP 3
Stephen Lowy, DDS – (845)354-5699