New York State Dental Foundation

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

Greetings to my esteemed colleagues, members of the New York State Dental Association, and Happy New Year!

Toward the end of 2021 we began to believe we were coming out of the long national nightmare that has been COVID. But even with the strides made in terms of building disease awareness and increasing vaccination rates, we are embarking on the new year buffeted by a new corona variant, and having to figure out, once more, mandates and suggested protocols that—let’s face it—can be confusing and hard to keep track of.

It’s similar to chairing a statewide nonprofit like the New York State Dental Foundation. Every time we think we’re “finally getting there,” in terms of gaining traction on communications and awareness, we find there is more work to be done in order to ensure that everyone, from the grassroots member to elected officers, understands our mission and our work.

This is why I’ve resumed my regular column in these pages. I hope to provide readers not just with updates and lists of events, but I intend to share as well stories about how the New York State Dental Foundation, however small, makes a difference and impacts the lives and health of so many, including our most vulnerable populations. I hope to provide not so much a history, but a “look forward.” And I invite you, as partners and supporters, along for the journey.

I’d like to take a moment to introduce you to the amazing people who comprise our Board of Trustees: Mike Breault (our vice chairman); Larry Volland (our treasurer); Ron Bellohusen; Renuka Bijoor; Joseph Brofsky; Marty Dominger; Chad Gehani; Pye Goudarzi; Paul Kim; Prabha Krishnan; Maria Maranga; Bob Peskin; Burkhard Selent; Mike Shreck; Mario Silverstri; Christian Stohler; Carl Tegtmeier; Don Tucker; and Deb Weisfuse.

I said this column is about looking forward, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention, with the utmost gratitude and more than a little emotion, our beloved secretary, the late, great Mark Feldman. His passing in November was a tremendous loss to all, and his voice of reason and common sense will be greatly missed during our Board table discussions. I am heartened that in our last conversations, he continued to express enthusiasm for the progress we have made as a Foundation and the strategies we, with staff, have set forth going forward. To that end, we owe it to Mark to continue on our course of excellence and growth.

In the upcoming year, I will share with you stories of people and organizations with whom we have worked and whose efforts to increase oral health awareness and education we have helped. Because we are small in terms of resources and staff, we are limited in what we can do, but that doesn’t mean we are sitting still. We continue to broaden our cadre of like-minded advocates among those in public policy, community health and elected officials. In this way, we will continue to effectively link need to supply statewide.

Included in our plans is the addition of a menu of quality online continuing education courses, a project that is spearheaded by our CE/CERP Task Force chairs Drs. Peskin and Tucker. By the time this column is read, our Annual Event Committee (Drs. Krishnan, Dominger and Silvestri) will have selected our honoree and made plans for 2022.

Our very important Development Committee, chaired by Dr. Kim, is working with staff to launch our new online giving and fundraising platform. The Charitable Awards Committee (Drs. Weisfuse, Bijoor, Brofsky and Tegtmeier) will oversee possible expansion of the Give Kids A Smile Award, Equip Connect and Smiles For All—programs described further on our website, www. nysdentalfoundation.org.

Finally, I encourage everyone to reach out at any time to me, and to our staff—Laura Clark Stedman, Carley Libertucci and Rebecca Morgan—with questions or suggestions you have about what we’re doing, where we’re going and how we’re getting there.

As we look forward to what 2022 brings, I hope you take the time to rest, reflect and enjoy this season with your family, friends and colleagues. From our Board of Trustees and staff, we wish you the happiest New Year. p