The Little Engine That Could: How a Small Local Dental Society Succeeded in Helping “One of Their Own, ” Dr. Cesar Sabates, Become Our Next ADA President-Elect, Richard A. Mufson, DDS, Editor

The Little Engine That Could:

How a Small Local Dental Society Succeeded in Helping “One ofTheir Own, ” Dr. Cesar Sabates, Become Our NextADAPresident-Elect

- Richard A. Mufson, DDS, Editor

"I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I know I can. ”

This,thewell-knownquoteappearingintheAmericanfolktale, existing in the form of several illustrated children's books and films, is used to teach children the value of optimism and hard work.

One must wonder or ask the question: How does a small local dental organization in the middle of nowhere (OK, in the middle of South Florida) help a dedicated, humble, well-respected and valued local member of organized dentistry – with little help from outside groups or resources - become elected to the highest office within the dental profession? And that would be President-Elect, who then becomes President, of the American Dental Association.

Dr. Sabates (hereafter referred to as Cesar) would also have the unique distinction of representing the first-ever ADA President from Florida and, celebrating our society’s ever-advancing move toward greater diversity, the first Cuban American to ever hold this office.

As a backdrop to this amazing story, three other candidates from Florida have run for ADA President-Elect over the past decade, all very qualified, but unfortunately without success in mustering enough votes in the annual ADA House of Delegates to reach this elusive (for Floridians, at least) office.

As yet another backdrop to the story would be the highly unanticipated and life-altering worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, which would certainly add a serious curveball at the least opportune time for Cesar, and to those looking to see him achieve this life-long dream within the profession of dentistry.

When Cesar first decided to run, and then started campaigning in November 2019, pre-pandemic life was “normal” and meetings were live and “in-person. ” As we all now know, this would soon drastically change with the onset of the global pandemic, and the significant momentum Cesar had begun to achieve at the local level of affiliate meetings, would then be threatened by larger state and national meetings going “virtual. ”

And, the usual campaign practice of traveling outside of Florida to numerous state dental association and district caucuses to personally deliver one’s message and platform was both suddenly and certainly not an option. Adding yet another challenge to the dynamic of campaigning and getting one’s message out to the masses would be the ensuing presidential campaign leading up to the November 2020 election.

So how in Heaven’s name would this unanticipated adversity be transformed into positive energy and hopefully a positive outcome for Cesar’s campaign?

The answer turned out to be found in a number of creative and talented individuals, all joining forces to work on Cesar’s behalf, while bringing together a combination of unique and innovative ideas, expertise, foresight, determination and hard work.

“The Little Engine That Could” was on the tracks, ready to roll, and while clearly envisioning the very large and formidable mountain in front of it, knew that it was more than ready to climb and overtake it.

So, with travel and in-person campaign messaging out of the question, the wheels of ideas and creativity began to churn, a ray of light shone in through every window in the SFDDA office, and the answer to this became clear: It would be found within the high-tech world of virtual communication via “ZOOM” and other forms of social media.

To this end, our SFDDA Executive Director, Yolanda Marrero, with the help of Cesar’s campaign manager, Dr. Michael Eggnatz, answered the calling and jumped into action.

A team of veritable “A-listers” was called upon and assembled, each with their own unique skill set of experience and creativity.

The team consisted of a tech and social media guru, Dr. Mark Limosani, a lighting and sound engineer, Jhorna Castañez, a graphic artist and audio-visual editor, Victoria Marrero, an acting and voice coach, Valentina Izarra (also Mark’s wife), who were “all hands on deck” to help Cesar take his already-solid appearance and messaging nationally to the highest level possible for a successful “virtual” campaign.

Yolanda, drawing on her past experience from her days at WTMI Radio, and with help from Victoria, had also helped transform the South Florida District office into a professionalstyle audio-visual studio.

A significant amount of research took place, and was devoted to ensure that all facets of Cesar’s presentations – including wardrobe, lighting, types and models of microphones used, cameras, and other broadcasting equipment brought in - would result in optimal video and sound quality, a warm and inviting feeling, and at the highest level possible for the purpose of Zoom-style communication.

Although one of Cesar’s well-known strengths is speaking to others in person, achieving a similar level through virtual technology would understandably be quite a different calling. This is where others on the team came into play.

Valentina, the voice coach, helped Cesar’s on-camera demeanor and appearance, while Jhorna worked with lighting, shadow elimination, color balance and sound to assure the sharpest image and audio-visual quality possible. Victoria also helped run through “test” Zoom sessions to perfect his presentations. Mark and Victoria also worked hard with Cesar’s messaging on his Facebook campaign group page.

Then came the complicated task of Yolanda and Michael managing and arranging the complex schedules of the many nationwide state and ADA district caucus presentations, which required jumping through hoops and over hurdles to deal with overlapping meetings elsewhere and four U.S. time zones.

It must be said that over three months of effort – nights, weekends, and many hours in the day, often stretching into the night – went into this effort.

“Speak, Oh Glorious Cesar, Speak!”

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Then came Cesar’s turn - to speak – with a great deal of preparation, and as so few are inherently experienced and gifted at doing. He delivered his message, talking points, and answered a complex array of questions from far and wide on a range of issues facing the ADA. His performance was both forthright and well-informed, thanks to his years of work and experience gained on ADA committees and councils dealing with finances, budget, elder care and myriad other pertinent topics of the day. He also conveyed the feeing to others that he truly is one of them, and if elected, would “have their backs. ”

So, we must give credit where credit is due. Cesar was no doubt the driving force behind “The Little Engine That Could, ” and with legendary help from others, he took his train and overcame this seemingly insurmountable hill.

The exhilarating news would then arrive on election day (no, not the one involving Joe Biden), when on October 19, 2020, the A-list team hunkered down in the district office “War Room, ” filled with balloons, campaign colors, decorations, some decadent sugar-laden cookies and other treats, and most important – champagne chilled in an ice bucket, ready to be uncorked when the news so anticipated would come through.

And Bam! Snap! There it was. The news arrived that Cesar had been elected ADA President-Elect! A celebration with partying, high-fives, high-tens, even “chest bumps” was then the order of the day, along with the unbelievable gasp and feeling of, “OMG! We did it!!”

Much credit and thanks must also go out to all of those among you who were donors to Cesar’s campaign, and all who made calls, sent emails, letters and spread the word – for all of you were also a vital and much-appreciated part of Cesar’s successful campaign and “The Little Engine That Could. ”

"I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. I know I can. ”

References:

1. History of the World Part 1, Mel Brooks, 1981.

Richard Mufson is the Editor of the South Florida District Newsletter, and may be contacted at (305) 935-7501 or MufsonOralSurg@aol.com