Moving on in the New Year New York State Dental Foundation invites supporters to come along on journey forward. G. Kirk Gleason, D.D.S. Chair, New York State Dental Foundation
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cers, understands our mission and our work. reetings to my esteemed colI hope to provide not This is why I’ve resumed my regular colleagues, members of the New York State so much a history, but umn in these pages. I hope to provide readers Dental Association, and Happy New Year! not just with updates and lists of events, but Toward the end of 2021 we began to bea “look forward.” And I intend to share as well stories about how lieve we were coming out of the long nationthe New York State Dental Foundation, howal nightmare that has been COVID. But even I invite you, as partners ever small, makes a difference and impacts with the strides made in terms of building the lives and health of so many, including disease awareness and increasing vaccinaand supporters, along our most vulnerable populations. I hope to tion rates, we are embarking on the new year provide not so much a history, but a “look buffeted by a new corona variant, and havfor the journey. forward.” And I invite you, as partners and ing to figure out, once more, mandates and supporters, along for the journey. suggested protocols that—let’s face it—can be I’d like to take a moment to introduce confusing and hard to keep track of. you to the amazing people who comprise our Board of TrustIt’s similar to chairing a statewide nonprofit like the New ees: Mike Breault (our vice chairman); Larry Volland (our treaYork State Dental Foundation. Every time we think we’re “finally surer); Ron Bellohusen; Renuka Bijoor; Joseph Brofsky; Marty getting there,” in terms of gaining traction on communications Dominger; Chad Gehani; Pye Goudarzi; Paul Kim; Prabha Krishand awareness, we find there is more work to be done in order to nan; Maria Maranga; Bob Peskin; Burkhard Selent; Mike Shreck; ensure that everyone, from the grassroots member to elected offi-
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JANUARY 2022
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The New York State Dental Journal
