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Association Activities
Chad Gehani is International College Award Winner
DR. CHAD P. GEHANI, NYSDA and ADA past president, has been honored by the International College of Dentists, which presented him with its Outstanding Dental Leadership Award. Dr. Gehani, a clinician, leader, educator, mentor and humanitarian, was cited for his many significant contributions to the dental profession. Dr. Gehani received his award in September during the ICD’s Convocation in Nashville, TN.
Dr. Gehani has been instrumental in improving the art and science of dentistry globally for over 35 years. This includes making several visits to improve the oral health of the public in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. He is responsible for setting up continuing education programs in India, so that that country’s standards of dentistry are equal to those in the United States. He has been and continues to be a sought-after speaker, mentor and guide to many prestigious dental universities in India and abroad.
In 1988, Dr. Gehani donated the latest American diagnostic technology to the Government Dental College in Mumbai, India, and $10,000 to aid in the treatment of needy children. From 1985 to 2000, he visited many dental institutions in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh to teach the faculty. In 1988, he donated a large number of books to Nair Hospital Dental College, Mumbai, for the transfer of technology, and hosted 10 dentists from India in his Manhasset, NY, home to teach them the latest in dentistry. In addition, in 1989, he funded the visit of two deans from dental colleges in India to various American dental colleges to learn more about the practice of dentistry in the United States.
In 2006 Dr. Gehani was awarded the New York State Dental Foundation Award of Excellence in Community Service, recognizing his years of serving the needy, including fighting to preserve dental Medicaid for the underserved and disabled. In 2015, he received the Congressional Ellis Island Medal of Honor in recognition of his dedication to service to humanity.
A past president of the Queens County Dental Society, Dr. Gehani currently serves as executive director of Queens County.
NYSDA Peer Assistance Coordinator Named to PAP Steering Committee
DR. ROBERT J. HERZOG, peer assistance coordinator for the NYSDA Committee on Substance Use Disorder and Well-Being, has been elected to the New York State Education Department Professional Assistance Program (PAP) Steering Committee. As a member of the Steering Committee, Dr. Herzog will assist in developing and reviewing policies and documents for approval by the PAP Board and State Education Department.
Dr. Herzog has served as a member of the Committee for Professional Assistance for over 15 years. The committee advises and guides the New York State Board of Regents and the State Education Department in matters related to substance use disorder. He will continue in that role in addition to serving on the Steering Committee.
New York State’s Professional Assistance Program is a confidential alternative to disciplinary programs. It provides licensed professionals suffering from substance use disorders with the opportunity to receive treatment and maintain their licenses, provided there has been no patient harm. Many dentists have been very successful in their recovery because of what the PAP program has to offer. NYSDA commends those who enter the program and work to restore their lives.
If you or someone you know is facing a substance use disorder, please reach out to Dr. Herzog at (716) 830-3055, rherzog@roadrunner.com, or Jacquie Donnelly at NYSDA, (518) 689-2750, jdonnelly@nysdental.org. Your call is confidential.
