HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hovland, E. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Hovland, E. J.

President’s Remarks

Well, it’s been an incredible past six months as our LSU family and all of us in New Orleans have been consumed with the devastation of Katrina. The word "tragedy" took on new meaning for us when the hurricane flooded our dental school with over ten feet of water, leaving our mechanical, electrical, telephone, elevator, and computer systems all under water for weeks. Our facilities for faculty practice, oral surgery, radiology, clinical research, animals, and biomaterial research were all destroyed. Faculty, staff, and students lost their homes; some of them were rescued from rooftops; and some of our patients died. When I was able to return to our school, escorted by the Oklahoma National Guard, two and a half weeks after the hurricane, the area looked as if an atomic bomb had landed: everything gray and tattered.

But we, and I emphasize we, went to work. We resumed classes in Baton Rouge twenty-eight days after the devastation and developed a temporary dental school with student clinics, preclinical labs, simulations, and classrooms in three and a half months.

Out of this tragedy, there was some real good. Because we did not have a school, we needed mentors and preceptors in dental practices throughout Louisiana to take care of our seniors—to teach them, help them, and help us ensure they would graduate this spring. Hundreds of our alumni and friends volunteered to become faculty and invited our seniors into their practices, providing them an outstanding education. As a result, our seniors will graduate this May, on time.

Also because we did not have a school, we needed to develop a temporary clinic, preclinical facilities, and labs for our first-, second-, and third-year students. The community of organized dentistry, dental industry, and individuals came to our assistance, and we were able to build a multimillion-dollar clinic for our students in Baton Rouge almost entirely with donations and assistance from others. It is a state-of-the-art, fully equipped clinic with AxiUm software for electronic records, Schick digital radiography, A-dec dental operatories, Henry Schein mobile cabinets, Patterson supplies, Gettinge sterilizers, Midmark compressors, Brasseler instruments, and Whip Mix lab equipment. In addition, DENTSPLY, GC America, Sunstar Butler, Coltene/Whaledent, Gillette, Kerr, Ivoclar, Nobel Biocare, Oral-B, Vident, Pentron, and 3M ESPE were there to help. Cash donations poured in as well: Procter & Gamble, $20,000; ADA, $60,000; ADEA, $100,000; Delta Dental, $380,000; specialty organizations, over $50,000; individuals, hundreds of thousands; and the ASDA school chapter, over $42,000. Now we have a clinic, a lab, and a preclinical lab for our students until we return to New Orleans, made possible by the profession.

What a positive story! And let me tell you this is a testament to our profession. We did not see such support in the nursing, medicine, allied health, or graduate schools.

I must also acknowledge the strength and character of our students, faculty, and staff to move forward through tragedy. Of all our dental and dental hygiene students, only one transferred to another program. The rest are with us in Louisiana. And as we look to our future, it is good, it is exciting, but it will certainly be challenging.

As a result of all this, for the first few months after Katrina, I took a sabbatical from my presidency of ADEA, and the Association and its business and initiatives continued without disruption. This happens when you have an exceptional staff, when you have the inspiring leadership of Rick Valachovic, and when you have a strong and supportive team of Past President Frank Catalanotto, President-elect Ken Kalkwarf, and myself—a team built on mutual respect and common goals.

So how is the American Dental Education Association doing? Here are some highlights of the year as I see them.

First, we have more members than ever and are serving both new and longstanding members better than ever. The open membership campaign has achieved exceptional success, and new membership services and communications have been developed. Members now have electronic access to the Bulletin of Dental Education and the Journal of Dental Education. Conferences can and will be webstreamed. Searchable online guides to dental schools and searchable online member directories are being developed. Our centers’ papers, position statements, and other work products and initiatives will be available to our membership. New opportunities for our Sections and Special Interest Groups have arisen through this enormous increase in their membership, and I am sure they will be innovative and thoughtful as they address this new circumstance.

Second, the Association’s leadership of curriculum initiatives has been exemplary. The work of the broad-based Commission on Change and Innovation in Dental Education is exciting and bold. Under the outstanding leadership of Chair Ken Kalkwarf, the commission has gained national support and recognition. It is making great progress.

Third, the reorganization of the legislative affairs activities of ADEA in order to join with AADR and present one advocacy voice for education and research has been very successful. The new National Oral Health Advocacy Committee is functioning very productively under the leadership of Frank Catalanotto and Dom DePaola.

Fourth, ADEA continues to be actively involved with regional and national licensure issues. We have maintained and voiced our principle of no human subjects as part of the exam. Change is, unfortunately, slow, but ADEA has influence and is using it to facilitate change.

Fifth, our efforts to increase the diversity of our profession continue. Most notably this year, ADEA has partnered with the American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC), the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and ten universities in a major initiative to increase diversity in our dental and medical schools.

Sixth, corporate support and membership in our Corporate Council continue to expand. I must acknowledge in particular Jim Mulvihill, who has been outstanding in his efforts.

Seventh, over the past year, ADEA sponsored and supported many meetings. The ADEA-sponsored Leadership Institutes and the Dental Hygiene Education Summit are wonderful programs of continuing success.

Eighth, the financial picture of ADEA is strong. This financial strength allows the Association to undertake many innovative activities, including providing support for many faculty development activities. We are also ensuring our financial strength continues into the future because our reserves are growing at a healthy rate.

Ninth, AADSAS and PASS are operating smoothly under the direction of Anne Wells—even with the challenges of applications significantly increasing each of the last four years.

There is more and more. To say things are good with ADEA is an understatement. ADEA has never been better, never been stronger, never been more involved.

It has been a rare and proud privilege to serve as president of such a remarkable organization. ADEA is a powerful organization with widespread influence through its many collaborations and leadership initiatives. Its work strengthens and enhances dental education throughout this country and the world. ADEA is truly recognized as the voice and face of dental education.

In closing, I need to thank the many individuals who ensured my presidential year went smoothly even when my school and personal year did not.

First are the superb ADEA staff, who were part of a reorganization this year that adds additional strength and efficiency and innovation to the organization. I want to acknowledge especially Abigail Gorman, Sue Sandmeyer, Jane Hamblin, Ann Donahue, Karl Haden, Richard Weaver, Jack Bresch, Anne Wells, Dave Brunson, Jeanne Sinkford, and Jim Mulvihill. These division and center leaders are quite simply the best. Thank you for all you did for me and all you do for ADEA.

Second is our ADEA Board of Directors. What a committed and talented group. Thank you.

Third are members of the various continuing and ad hoc committees of ADEA. Thank you.

Fourth is the Annual Session Planning Committee (ASPC) and its chair, Marsha Pyle. This committee had a huge challenge with this year’s meeting combined with the AADR. I just sat back and watched a talented group plan this great meeting. It was helpful that we reorganized the ASPC this past year, with the planning committee focusing on programming and the staff on logistics. I want to especially acknowledge Robyn Morrow, who headed the staff activities for this meeting. What a job she has done!

Fifth, Rick, Ken, and Frank, thank you for picking up the initiative when I had a brief absence. You all have really been there for me these last six months, and I will never forget it. I must add that Rick was there not only for my presidency, but for LSU. It is comforting to know you have an organization like ADEA behind you if disaster strikes.

Finally, to all members of the LSU family who are in the audience. I am so proud of you and the way you brought us back. I especially thank Sandra Andrieu, our academic dean and ADEA’s vice president for sections. Thank you. You have been so wonderful.

Standing before you as president of ADEA and as dean of an exceptional dental school at LSU, I just have to say as my friend Charles Lester often says, "I am Peacock Proud and Honeymoon Happy." The real joy in this past year has been the people of ADEA. They—you are very special. Thank you.

	Footnotes

 
This address by the President of the American Dental Education Association was presented to the membership on March 11, 2006, in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Hovland is Dean and Professor of Endodontics at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Hovland, E. J. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Hovland, E. J.