Page 6 - GP Spring 2019

Introduction of our new President, About our Meritorious Service Awardee:
Dr. Karthilde Appolon Muhammed Kasem, DDS, MAGD

Delivered by Lorna Flamer-Caldera, DDS, FAGD Delivered by Nathan Hershkowitz, DDS, MPH, MAGD, LLSR
The installation of officers of the New Today we are honoring New York’s Top 40.
York State Academy of General Dentistry Please allow me to explain. Is everyone fa-
is always a joyous and celebratory event. miliar with “America’s Top 40”, the rank-
We honor the members of the executive ing popular songs of the week playing over
council and applaud their desire to fulfill our car radios in the pre-internet era select-
their roles using all the talent and skill ed by Casey Kasem? When Dr. Muhammed
they have acquired. Leading this group is Kasem joined our Board of Trustees in 1999,
Dr. Karthilde Appolon. he denied any family linkage in response to
my question noting the similarity of family
Karty is a native New Yorker, born in the borough of Brooklyn and names. Little did either of us know then what
raised here, in Long Island. She received her baccalaureate degree we know today: Dr. Muhammed Kasem has indeed become New
with a major in biology from Adelphi University. Karty went on York’s very own Top 40 as he has sponsored (40) FORTY Premi-
to New York University School of Dentistry, graduating in 2003. um/Full-Dues paying Members who have joined our New York
With several family members in the fields of medicine and dentist- AGD. A real-life Top 40 selection indeed!
ry, perhaps a career in health science was in her DNA. Most distinguished dignitaries have already been acknowledged.
But DNA notwithstanding, a doctoral education is challenging and Please allow me to note the special attendance of five dentists who
for many brings forth unknown reserves of strength and resolve. were also especially present for the installation of Dr. Kasem as
In Karty’s case, a great challenge came while working to stay on our President in June 2011: Dr. Rekha Gehani, Dr. Chad Gehani,
track as a second-year dental student during the horrific events who was then NYSDA President-elect, and officers of the Bangla-
of September 11, 2001. Not only was she witness to one of the desh Dental Association of North America: Dr. Meser Ahmed, Dr.
tower collapses, she realized right away that her bed-bound grand- Mohammad Mia and Dr. Mohammad Bhuyan.
mother, who lived on Fulton Street, was in the “war zone” and The man we are honored to honor today has been educated in
could be in danger. When Karty recounts the creative means she three continents. He comes from a family that values education,
employed to get through police and emergency service barriers to our most important AGD value. His father, a lawyer, inspired Mu-
reach her grandmother, it sounds almost like an ironic adventure, hammed and all his siblings to attain similar professional status.
something to look back on with relief and humor. But beneath that He studied in his hometown of Dhaka, Bangladesh and in England
lies a true lesson on the character of Karthilde Appolon – deter- prior to completing his dental education at New York University.
mined, dedicated, and driven. Dr. Kasem has lectured on anesthesiology at national AGD meet-
After graduation, Karty completed a general practice residency at ings as well as locally in Brooklyn where he practiced for many
Bronx Lebanon Hospital. Her time there increased her compas- years in the Bay Ridge neighborhood. He is a Master of our Acad-
sion for those in need and sparked a desire to continue working emy, having completed all the rigorous MAGD continuing educa-
with underserved populations. She pursued this, working within tion requirements.
the five boroughs of New York City, where she experienced an Dr. Kasem patiently served with distinction TWO terms as our
invaluable clinical and procedural diversity that helped build the Secretary and TWO terms as our Treasurer. Muhammed’s mettle
confidence to develop a clear vision for her professional future – as our leader was demonstrated in his skillful transition of our pro-
as a businesswoman in private practice and as a committed mem- fessional leadership amid the departure of our previous executive
ber of organized dentistry. director and the concomitant move of our statewide home to our
Not long after Karty and I met, I invited her to attend one of our beautiful Learning Center in Whitestone, Queens. Indeed,he even
board meetings. Well, that’s not entirely accurate, I strongly en- inspired his older sons, Mubeen and Mushfiq, to physically assist
couraged, perhaps even bugged her to attend. Karty attended her in the actual move! Thank you!
first board meeting in 2013 and, as she put it, our board was wel- I could go on and on with other examples of Muhammed’s leading
coming, and interesting. You see, back then, intense discourse was by example, his spirit of true generosity, expertise and collegiality.
a common element of our meetings. The good news is that Karty OK-Just one more.
wasn’t deterred, she felt encouraged and became part of our board
of trustees. Muhammed is very pious, but he must have seen the movie “When
As is typical of many professional boards, “learn as you go” is Harry Met Sally.” Many years ago, when we were first dining to-
gether at an AGD event and food orders were being taken, Mu-
routine. Karty learned, questioned, participated, and grew into a hammed said, “I’ll have what Nathan’s having.” By the way, FYI:
trustee ready and able to lead the New York State Academy of Even though kosher-prepared food usually meets the halal stan-
General Dentistry forward. dard, the converse is not necessarily so.
When not multitasking professionally, Karty enjoys the arts, and There is so much more to say but I too came to honor and hear
a hint of shopping. She enjoys those things, but she loves sailing. from our 2018 Meritorious Service Awardee of our beloved New
Ask her anything about boats or the water and she lights up. And Yok State Academy of General Dentistry, the very honorable and
even though she doesn’t do the steering on boats, her enjoyment most distinguished, my brother, Dr. Muhammed Kasem.
of the ride is immense.
So Karty, I wish you smooth sailing as our new president. Ladies
and gentlemen, Dr. Karthilde Appolon.

www.nysagd.org l Winter 2019 l GP 6