Page 8 - Bulletin Vol 26 No 3 - Sept. - Dec. 2021 - FINAL 3 version (1)

Message from the Executive Director:

It’s a new year! The holidays are behind us and it’s hard to believe we are
coming up to the second anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. In
the last few months things began to return to some normalcy and then the
Omicron variant began to show itself and new cases were on the rise. We’re not
where we’d like to be, but we are a far cry from where we were in April 2020.

The dental society was able to have several successful in-person meetings in the
Fall of 2021. Our two General Membership Meetings at the Jericho Terrace were
well attended. A record number of sponsors helped us present a pleasant
dinner experience and two interesting, well received lectures. We had a very
successful Women’s Dental Conference, “Scrubs and Stilettos,” also with a large

number of sponsors and at a new venue, The Heritage Club at the Bethpage Golf Course. Our Board of
Directors were also meeting in person this past fall after a hiatus of almost eighteen months.

As you read this, renovations should be underway at our headquarters. The main purpose of the
renovation is to increase the capacity of our meeting room. When completed, 50% more members will be
able to attend our in-person courses. We are also improving our audio-visual equipment for a better
interactive experience.

Our society now has a new Executive Assistant, Katia Discua; she is a welcomed addition to our staff and
looks forward to assisting our members! See more about Katia on page 9 in this issue of the Bulletin.

We are putting together a varied continuing education program for 2022 with new ideas and topics.
Check our website’s CE Calendar regularly to register for upcoming courses. And remember, we are
always looking for suggestions and welcome member input to expand our curriculum. Feel free to contact
me at eporcelli@nassaudental.org or call at 516-227-1112 with your suggestions.

Going forward I have high hopes for 2022, but I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge some losses
Nassau County Dental Society had in 2021. First and foremost, Dr. Mark Feldman, past NCDS President,
Past NYSDA Treasurer and President, Past ADA Treasurer and President, current NYSDA Executive Director

passed away on November 25, 2021. His leadership and guidance will be unmatched and sorely missed.
In August we lost Dr. Ralph Fleishman, Chair of our Substance Abuse and Well Being Committee, and on
November 27 Past Director, Dr. Jim Alongi passed away. May they all rest in peace knowing they served
their profession and colleagues well! In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “And in the end, it’s not the years
in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” These individuals had their years full of life!

May all our members live life to the fullest and cherish each day.
Gene Porcelli

8 | Nassau County Dental Society ⬧ www.nassaudental.org