Page 5 - GP FALL 2010

From the President-Elect

by Muhammed Kasem, DDS, MAGD met people with exceptional talents and dedicated leaders who
devote their precious free time for the sake of professional excel-
t the AGD Annual Meeting 2010 in lence such as Dr. Stanley Markovits, Dr. Stephen Akseizer, Dr.
New Orleans this past July, it was my Kay Oen, Dr. Lawrence Bailey, Dr. Nathan Hershkowitz, and Dr.
Ahonor and privilege to receive the AGD Janice Pliszczak. Their encouragement and support always
2010 Membershp Award for the New York inspired me.
State Academy of General Dentistry. The As a leader of the organization, my philosophy has always
Award was presented by AGD President, Dr. been “Members First”. Members are the heart of the organization
David Halpern, DMD, FAGD. and leaders should hear the voice of its members and reach out to
I was also proud to be a part in receiving non-members as well.
the 2010 AGD Advocacy Award along with Dr. I thank the Nominating Committee who gave me the opportu-
Janice Pliszczak, Dr. Ira Levine, Dr. Nathan Hershkowitz and nity to serve the NYSAGD over the years. My special thanks go
other delegates from NYS. On a personal note, I was also proud to my friend and Past President of NYSAGD, Dr. Nathan
of myself on receiving the Award as one of the Top Recruiters in Hershkowitz, for his support. Under his Chairmanship of the
the Nation for AGD in 2009- 2010. Dr. Judy Ann Taylor was also Nominating Committee, I was chosen to be the President-Elect of
honored with the Third Place in Grassroots Member Recruiter NYSAGD. I also want to thank the other members of the
Category. All in all, New York State Academy of General Nominating Committee for their support and for giving me the
Dentistry reaffirmed its status as a voice of General Dentistry. opportunity to serve the New York State Academy of General
This is a time to celebrate our accomplishments. All this hap- Dentistry.
pened because of the wonderful members of the Executive Finally, I congratulate all the members of the BOT, the
Council, Board of Trustee, and New York State AGD staff by their Executive Council and the NYSAGD Staff for receiving 2010
dedication, volunteerism, and commitment to do better service to AGD Awards in Advocacy, Membership, and Honorable Mention
our public, our profession and our beloved Academy. in CE Award of Excellence, for their selfless service and for ded-
I commend our leaders’ unwavering commitment to our mutu- icating their priceless time to bring such honor and distinction to
al goal of “Advancing the value and excellence of General all the AGD dentists of New York State.
Dentistry”. Throughout my leadership position in NYSAGD, I Peace be with you.

From the Regional Director

After the conclusion of the governance sessions, I stayed in
by Abe Dyzenhaus, DDS, FAGD New Orleans to take some continuing education courses. Over the
H ow was your 4th of July holiday? years, I have satisfied my CE requirements for NY and the AGD
by taking CE courses given by the AGD and the NYSAGD. There

Normally the July 4 th holiday is spent are many CE organizations in the dental market now as opposed
to years ago and I have taken courses not given by an AGD group.
with family and friends at a barbeque, at the But I always try to take an AGD, PACE approved provider course
beach, or at a park. I spent my July 4 th holi- so that the credits will go towards my MAGD, just as it did for my
day in New Orleans, with my wife, prior to FAGD.
the AGD annual meeting. Next year, the AGD Annual Meeting will be held in San Diego
On Saturday, we took a city bus tour and prior to the July 4 th holiday. It will be June 26 - 28, 2011. San
on Sunday, we went to brunch with our friends at Commander’s Diego is one of the nicest places on this planet. The weather is
Palace, one of New Orleans’ finer restaurants. Then we took a always beautiful. You may think it’s too early to think about next
walking tour of the Garden District, the neighborhood where the year. You may be right. But put the dates on your calendar and
restaurant was located, and the homes were magnificent. think about it in early spring 2011.
Now you may be wondering why I am telling you this. Well, I hope to see you in San Diego. Maybe we’ll sit next to each
that weekend was a prelude to the week spent in New Orleans at other at one of the courses. Or maybe I’ll see you at a NYSAGD
the AGD Annual Meeting. The first three days of the meeting continuing education course. And thank you for your member-
were spent in governance, such as the Regional Directors Meeting ship in the AGD and your continued support of this fine organi-
and the House of Delegates. Business is conducted during these zation.
meeting but also in the hallways and in the evening at the recep-
tions and the dinners. And let me emphasize the dinners - the
restaurants in New Orleans are terrific.

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