GDAction 0913 USING.qxd
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editorial perspective Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes…
R. David Bradberry, DMD
As a caterpillar must change into a butterfly, so must change come into our lives. Change is occurring at blurring speed in our profession as in others. That is what life is all about, isn’t it? Each of us grows and changes as we progress through life. For those of us who have been around awhile, we have seen a lot of changes in what I feel are short careers. Those of you who have less time “in the trenches” and haven’t seen that much change, just wait—you will! All things must change over time or grow stale and stagnate. We are blessed in our state to see four distinct seasons. By the time you read this, the winds of the new fall season will be upon us, my favorite time of the year. Football! Why all this talk of change you ask? Change is upon all Georgia dentists. There have been many changes this year, some we knew were coming and some not so anticipated. As many of you are aware, the College of Dental Medicine (I’m still having a hard time with the name) has had a change of captains. Dean Connie Drisko announced her intent to move on to another chapter of her life and leave piloting the CODM to another. In an interim capacity, the ship is piloted by Dr. Carol Lefebvre. To you, Dr. Lefebvre, we say welcome and the GDA looks forward to working with you and continuing the great relationship of the GDA with the CODM. In the same line of thought, the day-today captain of the Georgia Dental Association has decided that the time has come for a new chapter in her life. Martha Phillips, our executive director and dedicated employee of the GDA, has stepped aside to allow another captain to pilot the GDA ship. Notice I did not say she retired, but stepped toward a new chapter. I don’t think either of these ladies could ever contemplate retirement. They are obviously wired in their DNA for the profession. Martha has given blood, sweat, tears, laughter, and anything else that could be mentioned to the dentists of Georgia for the past 35 years. There is no doubt that anyone who has worked with her any length of time will say that she has been a dedicated and
determined force for the good of Georgia dentists. Everyone who has practiced in this state during Martha’s time as director has and will continue to benefit from her vision, clarity of purpose, and determination to protect, preserve, and improve the dental profession for practitioners and patients. Whether you have worked with her or not, or agreed with her or not on any particular position, there is a plain and simple fact to this most complicated person. She may try to hide it but her heart gives it away—Martha Phillips loves the dentists of Georgia and has given to them out of this abundant love. I can tell you that she and indeed all of the staff that we are privileged to work with give many folds over what they receive. One of my basic goals in anything I do is to try in some measure to leave whatever I was part of better than before. Every month I try to bring something to those few who read this but now I’m going to speak directly in the first person. Martha, the profession we are all privileged to be a part of is measurably better from having known you and has gained much from your love, dedication, and wisdom. Having said that, don’t think you can escape that easily. For we all know as we steer our ship forward that your heart is with us and your wisdom is nearby. Please take with you our everlasting gratitude and appreciation. Though your shoes may not be filled the same way, the GDA will continue to make you proud. Change is here and the GDA will move forward, growing and ever-working for all of us with Nelda Greene currently at the helm. Welcome to the wheelhouse, Nelda! I hope everyone will let these women know of their appreciation for all that they do and have done. I applaud and thank you and every one of the GDA staff for a job well done. And finally—thank you Martha (no crying allowed, this is just the intro).
GDA ACTION SEPTEMBER 2013
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