Page 9 - GP Fall Final 2017

Celebrating Our Members: Dr. Fabiola Milord, DDS, MPH, FAGD
First African-American Woman President of

Nassau County Dental Society

By Seung-Hee Rhee, DDS, MAGD

work! I’m honored to have been selected to organized dentistry. We need to get them
carry on the tradition. involved and make them aware that they
are key stakeholders in the direction of this
GP: Can you tell us a little about your back- society and, thus, the profession.
ground?
FM: Certainly. I earned a Bachelor of Sci- GP: More and more women are entering
ence degree from St. John’s University, the dental profession and you are such a
followed by a Doctor of Dental Surgery role model. Can you tell us why it is so
degree from NYU College of Dentistry. important for women dentists to become
I completed a General Practice Residen- involved in organized dentistry?
cy at Metropolitan Hospital Center and a FM: Simply put, by NOT getting involved
Dental Oncology Fellowship at Memorial in organized dentistry, anyone - man or
Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. I am now woman - is allowing someone ELSE to
a Clinical Instructor at NYU College of make critically important decisions on how
Dentistry where I am a full-time faculty he or she practices. This is, however, a
member with community outreach, clinic, difficult undertaking for women, many of
Photo by Brett Deutsch of Deutsch Photography
lecturing, and mentoring responsibilities. I whom are the primary caretakers of their
On January 7, 2017, Fabiola Milord, DDS, also maintain a part-time practice in New families. Balancing those responsibilities
MPH, FAGD made history by becoming Hyde Park, NY. can be a split decision. What is essentially
the first African-American woman to be important and where there is no question is
installed as president of Nassau County GP: It is quite an accomplishment becom- that ALL have to become at least members
Dental Society. ing the first African-American woman to of organized dentistry. Even if they can’t be
hold the office of the president at Nassau personally involved, rest assured that orga-
Despite the severe snow storm, many were County Dental Society. How did you be- nized dentistry has the best people in place
present at the beautiful Carlyle on the come involved with the organization? representing them within the profession.
Green in Farmingdale, NY to celebrate the FM: I started out as many of us do. I at-
installation of new officers. In attendance tended general membership meetings and
were faculty and students from New York just wanted to stay in the know as to what GP: We see that you are a member of both
University (NYU) College of Dentistry as the latest happenings in the profession the American Dental Association (ADA)
well as dignitaries from numerous dental were. I describe myself as being “present and the Academy of General Dentistry
organizations. in the moment”. The powers that be must (AGD). Why do you feel it is important to
have noticed because soon thereafter, I was be a member of both organizations?
GP had the pleasure of chatting with Dr. asked to join the Board of Directors. This FM: To be honest, when I first joined orga-
Milord, who is not only an active member was quite intimidating at first. To tell you nized dentistry, I joined both the ADA and
of the Academy of General Dentistry, but is the truth, it can STILL be intimidating!! I the AGD. I think of the AGD as a specialty
also one of its Fellows. must emphasize, however, that I had some organization for general dentists just like
really great mentors along the way. There each specialty has their own organization.
GP: Good morning, Dr. Milord! Thank you were those who pushed me beyond what I The ADA is about promulgating the mem-
for taking time out of your busy schedule to ever thought I was capable of. Years later, ber dentist as the leader of the dental team.
chat with us. Congratulations on your pres- here I am in the position that I’m in today. The AGD is about promoting continuing
idency. How is it going so far? education throughout a dentist’s career.
FM: First, let me thank you for taking the GP: What are you hoping to accomplish Both are about keeping the dentist current
time and having the interest for an inter- during your presidency? regarding the latest the profession has to
view. It’s always nice to be recognized, es- FM: The goal of any president in an orga- offer.
pecially by such a prestigious organization nization is to grow the membership. That
as the New York State Academy of General has to be the primary focus. The secondary GP: You are also a full-time faculty mem-
Dentistry. goal is to stay relevant by addressing the is- ber at NYU College of Dentistry. What do
sues of the day in a contemporary manner. you do at NYU and how do you like teach-
As far as “how it’s going so far,” my sched- The third goal is to engage and re-engage ing?
ule was quite full before with teaching re- members. We have to make them feel val- FM: Teaching is my passion. It’s part of
sponsibilities, my practice, and being den- ued and appreciated. The grassroots mem- who I am and what I do. I love it!!! At
tal director of a medical mission. But with ber is the heart and soul of the organization. NYU College of Dentistry, my responsi-
this new position, my schedule has gotten How do you do that? By making him or her bilities are manifold. My primary responsi-
even more hectic with appearances, meet- feel special and addressing his or her needs. bility is supervising students at the various
ings, and events. The past presidents made The final goal is to promote the organiza- locations throughout the five boroughs of
it look easy when in actuality, it’s a lot of tion to new dentists. They are the future of New York City educating, promoting, and

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