J. Leon SChwartz LifetIme AChievement Award: Dr.

Kim JerNIgan

Dr. Kim Jernigan is a native of Pensacola, where she lives with her husband of 40 years, Greg. Dr. Jernigan began her career as a dental hygienist at the office of Dr. Bert Dannheisser. After 18 years in this position, she left to attend dental school at the University of Florida College of Dentistry (UFCD), where she graduated in 1997. While in dental school, she was active in the American Student Dental Association and, during this time, helped to move a resolution allowing dental students to vote at the FDA House of Delegates. With the passing of this policy, she became the first dental student to vote on an issue before the FDA’s House. After graduation, she returned to Pensacola and began practicing beside Dr. Dannheisser in his office. Dr. Jernigan went on to buy the practice where she still practices. Dr. Jernigan stayed active in organized dentistry upon graduation when she was selected as the chief liaison for the Florida Board of Dentistry. She also worked with FDA staff and leaders to create the FDA’s Leadership Development Committee (LDC), which recruits and trains new leaders. Dr. Jernigan wrote the curriculum and online modules for the Leadership Institute that was created to help LDC fulfill its mission. Dr. Jernigan has held many leadership positions in all levels of organized dentistry, including being the first female chair of the 17th Delegation and the first female president of the FDA. Additionally, she is the first female to receive the J. Leon Schwartz award honor. She considers her greatest opportunity to serve others as her role of co-chair for the Florida Mission of Mercy (FLA-MOM) held in Pensacola in 2017, where she helped to start the Veterans First initiative, which prioritizes free dental care for veterans and continues at FLA-MOM to this day.

Leadership Award: Dr. Joseph RiChardson

Dr. Joseph Richardson grew up in Tavares, Fla. Dr. Richardson obtained a Bachelor’s in chemistry from Wichita State University, Kansas, in 2002. He then acquired his dental degree, periodontics specialty certificate and master’s degree from UFCD in 2010. He also served as the Dental Class President from 2003-2007. Dr. Richardson maintains a courtesy teaching appointment at UFCD in the graduate periodontics department and teaches three lectures per year to undergraduate dental students. He plays several roles in organized dentistry as part of the FDA and ADA delegations and has served as the FLA-MOM sterilization clinical lead from 2019 to present. Dr. Richardson owns two private practices in Eustis and Winter Park. He currently lives in Eustis with his wife of 20 years and twin 7-year-olds, Thomas and Sydney.

Leadership Award: Dr. Walter “Beau” Biggs

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Friday, June 30, 2023 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center | Orlando, FL

Individual tickets are $55 or a table of 10 for $550.

Dr. Beau Biggs was born and raised in Pensacola. He earned his DMD at UFCD in 1984. Dr. Biggs developed the concept of constructing Provisionals for dental implants to guide gingival healing and has had two articles published in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry and another, Antibiotic Recommendations Have Changed, in Today’s FDA July/August 2021 issue. He has participated in many FLA-MOM events and served as cochair in 2017 for the Pensacola event. Dr. Biggs has been in private practice in Pensacola for most of his career. Having owned a practice for many years, he now enjoys working as a part-time associate for Dr. Alan Adkins and his fabulous team. Dr. Biggs and his wife, Shay past nine years. She has organized several local charity events, such as a Thanksgiving food drive that has been successful for eight years running. In addition, Ms. Schutte has been co-lead in sterilization at FLA-MOM for the past four events. She enjoys exercising, shooting at the gun range and spending time with her 17-year-old son, Bryan, in her free time.

Please contact Lianne Bell at lbell@floridadental.org or 850.681.3629 by June 9 to purchase tickets.

Dental StUdent Award:

Ms. Emily Fuqua

Emily Fuqua is a fourth-year dental student at UFCD. She was born and raised in Florida Panhandle in the small town of Marianna. Emily credits the charm and quaintness of life in a small town for shaping her into who she is today. Following in her family’s footsteps, she attended the University of Florida (UF), where she received a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Cell Science. She stayed at UF in the “swamp” for dental school, where she is a proud Gator dentist. Emily served as the student representative on the FDA’s Committee for Conventions and Continuing Education. She worked with committee members to plan and host the annual Florida Dental Convention. She is excited to complete her time at UFCD this year and looks forward to beginning her career in dentistry. In her free time, Emily loves to travel and experience new adventures with her fiancé.

PublIc Service Award

Dr. Susan ByrNE

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Friday, June 30, 2023 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center | Orlando, FL

Individual tickets are $55 or a table of 10 for $550.

Please contact Lianne Bell at lbell@floridadental.org or 850.681.3629 by June 9 to purchase tickets.

Dr. Susan Byrne was born and raised on Long Island, N.Y. She graduated from Florida State University (FSU) in 1994 with a degree in biology and is still a diehard Seminole fan. After undergrad, she attended

UFCD, where she received her DMD in 1999. Dr. Byrne is a general dentist who practices in Tallahassee. She has owned her practice in Tallahassee for over 20 years. In 2022 FLA-MOM was held in Tallahassee, and Dr. Byrne served as co-chair for the event. Dr. Byrne has been married to her husband, Richard, for 23 years. Together they have three children, Samantha and Nick, who are both in college, and Jake, who is in high school.

PublIC Service Award Dr. Tracy EcKLes

After many moves, Dr. Tracy Eckles, found a home at FSU. Following dental school in San Antonio and a General Practice Residency in Augusta, she practiced comprehensive care in Georgia before moving back to Tallahassee. Dr. Eckles now limits her practice to dental surgery, IV sedation and therapeutic Botox. Relieving chronic myofascial and migraine pain has become an emotionally rewarding passion for her. Her newest love is her new practice, Sleep Tight Tallahassee, dedicated to increasing awareness of sleep apnea and the endless list of comorbidities it causes. Dr. Eckles and her husband Michael (FLA-MOM 2022 Parking Chair extraordinaire) chase around their three kids under 8, Ellie, Grover and Fletcher. The Eckles are homebodies who love their community, the nearby beaches and their newly renovated labor-of-love home. When not busy with family, Dr. Eckles tries to learn about Tallahassee and how she can help make it a better place to live, work and visit.

PubLIc Service Award Dr. BRAndon AlegRE

2001, and then earned his DMD at UFCD in 2005. He graduated from the advanced education in general dentistry residency program at Bay Pines VA Hospital, St. Petersburg, Fla. in 2006. Then he returned to South Florida to start a private practice in Boca Raton in 2007. Dr. Alegre has served as committee chair for FLAMOM since 2016 and volunteers monthly at the Caridad Center, where at-risk patients receive free dental care. Dr. Alegre is also involved in 4Kids of South Florida, an organization that is dedicated to caring for orphans in the South Florida area. Dr. Alegre currently lives in Boca Raton with his daughter, Caroline. He enjoys golfing, running and family time at the beach.

Helping Members SuCCeed Team Impact Award: Ms. Mitzi Rye

Join in the recognition of your colleagues.

Mitzi Rye has worked in the accounting department at the FDA for six and a half years. She has streamlined the processes for all accounts payable and FDA payroll during this time. She handles the many reimbursements that arrive at the office efficiently and accurately. Mitzi and her husband, Bart, just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. They have one daughter, Ada, who has recently graduated high school and Tallahassee Community College and will be starting at a university this fall. Mitzi and her family live in rural Wakulla County with their three dogs, where she enjoys reading, puzzles, walking in the forest, hunting and spending time with family and friends. Mitzi is active in her church and serves as the music director, clerk and assistant treasurer. She loves teaching and sharing the Bible and Jesus with kids during vacation bible school. Mitzi loves her job and enjoys being a part of the FDA family.

Dr. Brandon Alegre was born in Norwood, Mass. and raised in South Florida. Dr. Alegre attended UF, earning a bachelor’s in microbiology and cell science in

Friday, June 30, 2023 | 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center | Orlando, FL

Individual tickets are $55 or a table of 10 for $550.

Please contact Lianne Bell at lbell@floridadental.org or 850.681.3629 by June 9 to purchase tickets.