Spotlight on 2025 FAGD, MAGD and LLSR Recipients

Each year during the AGD scientific session, the organization hosts the prestigious Convocation Ceremony for the year’s Fellowship, Mastership, and Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition (LLSR) recipients. These awards highlight the dedication to the craft of general dentistry that recipients demonstrate, and holders of these awards can be considered the top of the profession. AGD Impact spoke to several of this year’s recipients and asked about their motivations, their strategies for tackling the requirements of these awards and their advice for other general dentists who are pursuing these marks of professional recognition.

Sarah Hyams, DMD, FAGD

AGD Fellowship was a personal goal I pursued in order to challenge myself, broaden my clinical knowledge across different dental specialties and refine my skills to provide more comprehensive care to my patients. Staying at the cutting edge of general dentistry is important for ensuring evidence-based treatment. By broadening my knowledge, I have developed a greater sense of professionalism and confidence, which in turn fosters increased trust from my patients.

I was encouraged to seek this award by fellow AGD members who have successfully completed their Fellowship and Mastership awards. Completing the 500 continuing education (CE) hours necessary for Fellowship was not a very big issue. I obtained the required credits over five years ago; however, I delayed taking the Fellowship Exam. My preparation for the exam was significantly hindered when I acquired my clinic just months before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Balancing the responsibilities of running a clinic as a new owner, managing renovations, dealing with staffing shortages and learning to oversee a team of approximately 12 employees — without the support of a manager — became my primary focus since I took ownership. I advise anyone pursuing it to not delay in preparing for the Fellowship Exam; if you are an associate, it is much easier to study for the exam than when you are operating your own practice. I also advise you to connect with other AGD members or mentors who have already achieved Fellowship, Mastership or LLSR, as they can offer guidance and encouragement throughout your journey.

Reaching this milestone was a source of both personal and professional pride, yet it was also a humbling experience. It strengthened my resolve to challenge my limits and motivated me to continue my evolution. This accomplishment signifies not an end, but rather a new beginning for further growth. I do not profess to possess all knowledge. Throughout my life, I have been influenced by a quote attributed to Socrates by Plato: “The only thing I know is that I know nothing.” This philosophy encourages humility and fosters a continuous quest for knowledge. Dentistry is constantly evolving as a profession because of an explosion of research and emerging technologies, which makes it very exciting. By staying up to date with these advancements, you can offer more effective care for your patients. Fellowship is a valuable investment in your professional growth.

Connie Tse-Wallerstein, DDS, MAGD, Two-Time LLSR Recipient

I am truly honored to receive the AGD LLSR award and am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be recognized by AGD for my contributions in various leadership roles. Successfully balancing my responsibilities and attaining my second LLSR has been a truly enriching and inspiring experience. Although I did not actively pursue this accolade, my dedication to continuous self-improvement and commitment to serving my community naturally led me down this path. My inspiration comes from my deep-rooted desire to constantly enhance my skills and knowledge, ultimately striving to be the best dentist I can be.

Completing all the necessary criteria and accumulating the required volunteering hours demanded significant time, effort and commitment. This experience has reinforced the importance of efficient time management and perseverance in pursuing professional excellence. The LLSR has inspired me to continue making a positive impact through volunteer work. By serving as a regional director, a constituent executive for Quebec AGD, a faculty adviser for McGill University, a member of the Scientific Meeting Council and chair of the 2025 Local Advisory Committee for AGD, I have been able to expand my reach and engage in various volunteering initiatives. Among these endeavors, the “Gift from the Heart” project has been especially rewarding. This initiative has provided dental care to individuals in need, granting them access to services they may otherwise be unable to afford and making a tangible difference in their lives.

AGD’s LLSR award highlights the significance of prioritizing continuous education and self-improvement throughout our careers. In a rapidly evolving landscape shaped by advanced technology and research, it is imperative that dental professionals stay abreast of the latest techniques and developments. By committing to lifelong learning, we ensure that we are equipped to provide the best possible care for our patients. By committing to lifelong service, sharing expertise and experiences through collaborative mentorship, we support and enhance the capabilities of other practitioners and foster a culture of innovation, camaraderie, excellence and continual advancement in our profession.

For members who are pursuing their LLSR, I offer this advice: Stay dedicated to your pursuit of excellence in education and service, and place a strong emphasis on giving back to the profession by empowering and motivating the next generation of dental leaders. This commitment not only instills your work with a profound sense of purpose, but it also unites us in our collective efforts to achieve exceptional outcomes, strengthens the foundations of our esteemed profession, and elevates the practice of dentistry to new heights of success and fulfillment.

Bernardino Octavio Elizondo, DDS, MAGD, Three-Time LLSR Recipient

I have come to realize that the only obstacles we face are those we place on ourselves. During my pursuit of Mastership, I met Dr. Tony Menendez, who has achieved numerous LLSR awards. He was instrumental in inspiring me to work toward further achievement within AGD. Once I made the commitment to work toward my LLSR, I overcame whatever obstacle I felt was presenting itself in my mind.

CE is crucial in maintaining — as well as expanding — our knowledge in dentistry. Continuous learning keeps us relevant in our profession. It has helped tremendously in keeping my dental knowledge and skills at their utmost level and for my own personal satisfaction. I feel that my patients appreciate my commitment to being the best dental provider that I can be for them.

My advice to anyone striving for an LLSR is to start early and stay motivated. The friendships and camaraderie formed in our pursuit of these awards are lifelong and meaningful. I have come to treasure all the memories of attending various MasterTrack programs and AGD meetings. Attaining these AGD awards helps us to enjoy lifelong friendships and the sense of great achievement when the award is bestowed. This is my third LLSR, and I feel very proud of this achievement. I have made a personal goal of earning at least six LLSR awards.

Taylor F. Townsend, DDS, MAGD

Pursuing AGD Mastership is a worthy challenge, and dentistry breeds performers! Seriously, I often say that there is value in doing the hard things. So, when given the opportunity to expand my knowledge and skills through Mastership, the return on investment for the benefit of my patients and those I teach is unmatched.

Balancing steady progress toward Mastership and all the demands of not only the provision of care but also of doing so as a sole business owner — especially in the midst of additional challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and raising a family — were the most significant obstacles. But these obstacles sure made the journey fuller and less boring!

For me, the main value of attaining Mastership initially was the journey. As a private practice dentist in a very rural area with no local specialists, I found the skills acquired along the way allowed me to more comprehensively serve my patients and team. Now that I have transitioned professionally into full-time postdoctoral academics, my Mastership provides increased value to my faculty appointment as well as to our residents.

Everything about our profession is dynamic. Our patients are all different. Our knowledge base and available resources continue to expand. The pressure of economics and business structure require adaptability to change. When we continue to push ourselves to grow through high-quality CE and milestones such as Mastership, we are able to excel among such ever-changing variables, and we owe as much to the patients we treat and the teams we are responsible for leading.

When I achieved Mastership, I felt appreciation for my family and dental team’s support. I also felt appreciation for AGD for creating a path encouraging its members to better ourselves professionally. Remember, there is value in doing hard things! Attaining Mastership is about keeping the end goal in mind while placing one foot in front of the other. The pursuit of Fellowship or Mastership sets a trajectory that provides much more professional depth to and enjoyment of what we do.