ACD News March vol 55-1-03-26_FINAL

NACD

PRESIDENT’S FORUM

Here’s to an Active 2026

Terry L. Norris, President

Your Fellowship in the College and your generous contributions make all this possible. As I said in the convocation address, “Fellowship is not a means to an end, but a new beginning.”

ot too long ago someone asked me what the ACD is doing. Anyone that understands my innocent sarcasm would understand my rhetorical reply of; What is not happening at the ACD? 2025 was a busy year and 2026 will be even busier.

Your Fellowship in the College and your generous contributions make all this possible. As I said in the convocation address, “Fellowship is not a means to an end, but a new beginning.” Why is Fellowship important? It is more than a stamp of approval; it moves you into an area of influence. Dentistry is ranked in the top ten professions for trustworthiness, and your work as the ACD goes a long way to make this happen. Most dentists will look and respond to our actions more than they will listen to our words. This is human nature throughout most of life. Your influence impacts more people than you can imagine. Fellowship is important.

IYour Fellowship for life is critical for a strong ACD. I look forward to seeing the “well-seasoned” dentists at my Section meetings; one day I will be one of them. Stay involved.

FROM THE FOUNDATION

Robert A. Faiella ACDF President

So, what is going on at the ACD? A challenging reply would be as much as you are engaged. Engagement amounts to involvement in Section meetings, recognizing exceptional dentists, nominating young dentists, and giving a generous amount to the Foundation. The Foundation is the fuel that provides the programs, and the ACD is the vehicle that delivers them.

Here is to an active 2026, and I look forward to seeing you at your Section meeting and at ACD 2026 in Santa Barbara!

The funding for our growing leadership programs, the refresh of our ethics offerings, and the investment in dentistry’s future through SPEA and an ACD presence in our dental schools is essential.

n 2025, the ACD Foundation raised over $250,000, and we’re off to a great start this year. The funding for our growing leadership programs, the refresh of our ethics offerings, and the investment in dentistry’s future through SPEA and an ACD presence in our dental schools is essential. More importantly, our Fellows’ enthusiastic engagement

in everything we are offering is driving our success. All the money in the world will not make a difference where commitment, dedication, and mission are lacking. Thank you for showing up for the College and working together to elevate the lives of our colleagues, students, and communities!

Dates to Remember

March 15

News of Sections and Fellows due to the ACD Office for the April issue of the ACD News

May 1

Accepted Fellowship Candidates notified on or around May 1

May 8-10

SHIFT Leadership Workshop, Vancouver

May 15

News of Sections and Fellows due to the ACD Office for the June issue of the ACD News

May 25

ACD Office closed in recognition of Memorial Day

June 5-7

SHIFT Leadership Workshop, Rockville

Please contact Suzan Pitman at suzan@acd.org for more information about SHIFT.

June 10

Registration opens for ACD 2026 in Santa Barbara!

In

this Issue

President’s Forum

From the Foundation

Executive Director’s Message

Regent Reflection

News of Fellows and Sections

SPEA Spotlight

Bulletin Board

Spring Leadership Conference: Moving the College Forward Together

OnApril 30, Section leaders will join the Board of Regents and the ACD Staff at the annual Spring Leadership Conference. This event, new in 2025, brings together local and national leaders to work together on a topic of interest to the College, strengthen local leadership, and give valuable feedback to the Board.

This year, the topic is the Standards for Leadership in Oral Healthcare, previewed at the annual meeting in 2025. Participants will work together to create example action items and other recommendations for putting the standards into practice in organized dentistry. A session providing ideas and insights on Section Management is also on the schedule.

If you are interested in participating in ACD leadership and would like to attend the conference, please contact Suzan Pitman at suzan@ acd.org. There is no registration fee and most meals are provided. The conference runs from the evening of April 30 through a working lunch on May 2. Guests are welcome at the opening reception and conference dinner for a nominal fee. Travel and lodging are the responsibility of the participant. Time to relax, discuss new ideas, and enjoy one another’s company is also built into the schedule!

CONTACT

ACD News is published by: American College of Dentists 103 North Adams Street, Rockville, MD 20850 301-977-3223 | office@acd.org | acd.org

Michael A. Graham, Executive Director

Suzan Pitman, Program Director

Matthew Sheriff, Graphic Design

Tylor Davis, Social Media Coordinator

Send address changes to: ACD News 103 North Adams Street, Rockville, MD 20850 or e-mail office@acd.org

AConversations That Matter: Elevating Our Voice!

Michael A. Graham

t the fall meeting of the Board of Regents in New Orleans, then Regent and current VP, Ned Nix, challenged the ACD to do a better job of meeting people where they are regarding our communication. Since then, ACD leadership and staff have worked hard to diversify and level-set communications. The Journal of the American College of Dentists has been moved to ADA Commons, where individual articles can be accessed as well as whole issues, and it will soon be available on Amazon as a

The Official Journal of the American College of Dentists JACD ACD 2026 in Santa Barbara, California is a not to be missed event!

SAVE THE DATE

Please join us October 23-24 for the Fellows’ “Big Ideas” Forum, Regency Breakouts, Regency Social, and an unforgettable Convocation overlooking the ocean. Registration will open in early June.

print on demand publication. We’ve increased electronic communication to our Section leaders and started including monthly tools and suggestions for keeping local Fellows updated and engaged. We are also working to appropriately right-size Fellowship-wide emails and send thoughtful, relevant messages to specific groups of Fellows.

Our social media presence continues to grow, and we continue to consult with communications experts and younger Fellows and

dental students in order to better understand trends in that arena.

Finally, the ACD News will be shorter and more frequent starting in 2026 so that Fellows have more timely information and reading the News is a pleasure, not a chore.

The ACD has pitched a much bigger tent since 2022 when the Board voted unanimously to strongly encourage but not require ADA membership as a part of ACD Fellowship, and matching our communications to that Board decision will continue to be front and center.

The Intersection of Humanities and Ethics in Dentistry

Winter 2026 Vol. 92 No. 2a

Regent Reflection

EWelcoming New Fellows: Building Connection, Leadership, and Legacy

LaJuan Hall

Regent, Regency 7

ach year, the American College of Dentists offers one of my favorite opportunities, welcoming new Fellows into a community that exemplifies the best of our profession. This year’s orientation, Business Meeting, and Regency Breakout Sessions were held on October 23 & 24 in Washington, DC. These sessions reminded me once again that the strength of our College lies in the engagement and shared purpose of its Fellows. I had the privilege of co-leading the Regency 7 session with Ned Nix, who is now serving as Vice President of the College. Together, we guided our Fellows through the organizational structure of the ACD and the many ways their involvement at the local Section level can create a lasting impact. Our discussion focused on several key topics — from succession planning for Section leadership to understanding the structure of the Board of Regents and developing effective communication strategies to enhance the organization. The participants also explored opportunities for involvement with the Student Professionalism and

Ethics Association (SPEA) and local dental schools, continuing the College’s longstanding commitment to mentorship and fostering professionalism among future leaders.

“…the strength of our College lies in the engagement and shared purpose of its Fellows.” Follow ACD on All Your Social Media Accounts!

We provided an update on the ACD Strategic Plan, highlighting the progress toward strengthening our influence and expanding our relevance in today’s evolving dental landscape. But what resonated most was the energy and enthusiasm from our new Fellows, their eagerness to contribute, serve, and lead. As I looked around the room, I was reminded that each Fellow brings a unique story and a shared commitment to the values of ethics, leadership, and service. More than an introduction to the College, this session was a celebration of our collective purpose and the passing of the torch from one generation of leaders to the next.

You can find us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. When you post something related to the ACD, please use @americancollegeofdentists and/or #americancollegeofdentists to help promote our mission and the future of oral healthcare.

News of Fellows and Sections

Regency 1, led by Regent Julie Connolly (New York) held its annual Regency Leadership Breakfast at the Yankee Dental Congress in Boston. The Regency has hosted this event for many years, creating opportunities for Section leaders from around the Regency to network and learn from one another.

Bob Bartro (New England) was honored by the New England Section with the Thomas F. Winkler III Leadership Award. Dr. Bartro’s life of duty, service, care, and professionalism is an example for all.

News of Fellows and Sections

Peter Tan (Federal Services/Florida) was inducted into the United States Veterans Hall of Fame, on November 8, just two days after receiving a similar honor from the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame. In his own words, “That’s the legacy I’d like to leave: a lifetime of learning, leadership, and service, in and out of uniform, to the people and nation that gave me every opportunity to serve in return.” Congratulations, Dr. Tan, and many thanks for your lifetime of service!

Several Fellows were honored by the American Dental Association and ADA Foundation at its 2025 annual session, SmileCon. Congratulations and thank you for your exceptional contributions to the profession and humanity!

Salma Elwazeer (Texas)

Dr. David Whiston Leadership Award

Bill Claytor Jr. (Carolinas)

ADA Distinguished Service Award

William T. Kane (Missouri) ADA Humanitarian Award

Nicole McGrath-Barnes (New Jersey)

Evidence-Based Dentistry Faculty Awards, Practice Award

Past President of the College Steven Chan (Northern California) was recently reappointed to the Dental Board of California. Dr. Chan was originally appointed in 2016 and recently served as President of the Board. He was President of ACD in 2016.

The Ontario Section held an Outstanding Student Leadership Awards event in Toronto on February 10, 2026. The event kicked off with Section Chair Shawn Steele, welcoming the students and guests followed by an insightful presentation from Mr. Andrew Lee, who provided valuable financial advice for students and for those considering a career as an associate or as an owner practitioner.

Fellow Chris Swayze then led a lively and engaging discussion on a variety of topics including billing codes, insurance audits and college investigations. The evening culminated with the award presentations by Fellows Jawad Tawil and Sunita Joshi to Eddie Chow and Frankie Yang, co-presidents of the University of Toronto SPEA Chapter.

The American Society for Dental Ethics, a non-geographic Section of the ACD, annually honors dental students with a special interest in ethics with the Ozar Hasegawa Ethics Award. Recent recipients were Elizabeth Gershater (Columbia University College of Dental Medicine) and Kamyar Sartipi (Western University Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry).

Elizabeth’s project is titled "Ethical Care is Excellent Care: Exploring How Dentists Can Approach Treating Visually Impaired Patients Through Different Ethical Frameworks” and was guided by faculty advisor Dr. Dana Wolf. Kamyar’s project is titled “A Young Dentist’s Challenge—Upholding the Social Contract in a Profit-Driven System” and was guided by faculty advisor Dr. Drew Smith (Ontario). Congratulations to you both!

The ACD Office was treated to a visit from ICD President Tim Langguth (Upper Midwest) and ICD Executive Director Elaine Wagner (Metro DC) The ACD continues to reach out to other organizations to talk about mutual interests and areas of collaboration.

They were recognized for their outstanding leadership and scholastic achievements.

The attendees had the opportunity to socialize, enjoy delicious food and share their thoughts. The event was a resounding success, offering professional insights, camaraderie, and an opportunity to celebrate these two exceptional students.

If you would like more information about how the ACD Office can support your efforts with the Outstanding Student Leader award and other interactions with your local dental school and SPEA chapter, please reach out to the office. We would be delighted to help!

SPEA Spotlight

An exciting season for SPEA has begun, as our 2026 national board begins to collaborate and shape our goals for the new year. The October 2025 Annual Session was held in conjunction with the ACD Annual Meeting in October, and brought forth new connections, experiences, and a fresh board that is eager to share our enthusiasm for the program with new schools and ACD Fellows. As the newly elected Vice Presidents, we have been working closely with our regents to engage motivated students and schools in advancing SPEA’s mission of promoting professional and ethical leadership within dental school communities. During this exciting transition, we are proud to highlight the intentional outreach efforts and chapter expansion taking place across the nation.

A key highlight has been Kerra Kelly (Regent 3) advancing discussions with High Point University toward establishing its first SPEA chapter. Kerra coordinated early outreach and next steps using the SPEA Startup Kit. We met directly with High Point leadership to help facilitate the initial planning process and director-level alignment. Kerra has also supported active chapters at Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of South Carolina, University of North Carolina, and Howard University.

In parallel, Hunter Schaefer (Regent 4) has sustained strong engagement with active chapters across his region including Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Temple, and West Virginia. Hunter has also been moving early chapter development conversations forward with schools such as the University of Detroit Mercy and the University of Pikeville, as well as working to re-engage interest at the University of Pennsylvania.

Ruotong Wang (Regent 1) and Soy Lee (Regent 2) have maintained steady outreach within their regions, supporting active chapters, identifying gaps where chapters have become inactive, and strengthening ACD–chapter connections. Ruotong has worked with Dr. Connolly (ACD Regent 1) to support regional collaboration, while Soy has led broad Canadian outreach to secure points of contact and keep pathways open for chapter growth.

For regencies 5, 6, and 7, we have reached out to over 35 dental schools with hopes of aiding establishment or supporting increased activity. Kaylan Wait (Regent 5) has guided Midwestern outreach efforts, collaborating with schools to address funding needs and organizational improvement. This effort has sparked a creative way for our board’s involvement with the schools to move beyond SPEA students and include ACD Fellows who wish to work more closely with their respective schools. At our National Annual Meeting, there was a breakout session on fun and interactive ways to involve students and ACD Fellows in fundraising for their community. Examples include a faculty “Tooth Fairy Day”, March Madness Brackets, alumni sales, and many more exciting opportunities for school-wide and ACD Fellow involvement.

The outreach efforts across all regencies this year have underscored a shared opportunity to deepen collaboration between SPEA chapters and the American College of Dentists. As regents work to support chapter sustainability and expansion, partnerships with local ACD Fellows have emerged as a key driver of success—providing mentorship, institutional continuity, and meaningful engagement beyond the student level.

These connections have already begun to take shape through leadership meetings, chapter advising, and

The South and West Coast regencies have been in close communication as well with many schools interested in beginning their own chapters this year after correspondence with Emily Eberts (Regent 6) and Kate Streck (Regent 7). Schools such as Texas A&M and Pacific Northwest are ecstatic to start a chapter this year with help from the national SPEA board. The regents’ efforts to build connections and spread SPEA’s development has been highly impactful, and we are extremely grateful for their hard work and communication efforts put into place at the start of this year.

shared programming initiatives, creating a model in which SPEA chapters serve as a natural extension of ACD’s mission within dental school communities. By aligning regent outreach with ACD support, chapters are better positioned to navigate challenges such as funding, faculty involvement, and long-term growth. Together, SPEA and ACD can foster a strong pipeline of ethically grounded leaders, ensuring that professionalism and service remain central values throughout dental education and into professional practice.

Thank you!

ACD Fellows submitted over 300 nominations this year! Thank you for recognizing excellence in others and valuing the contributions of your colleagues. Nominees approved by the credentials committee will be notified, along with their nominators, around May 1.

SHIFT Leadership Workshops

SHIFT brings together those wishing to build their personal leadership capacity in a small, well-supported environment. Special topics in leadership are explored through lectures, shared experiences, and questioning. SHIFT is underwritten by the ACD Foundation, making it tuition-free. Most meals are covered, with travel and lodging the responsibility of the participants.

For more information, please contact Suzan Pitman at suzan@acd.org.

Buy a Brick, Leave a Legacy

Fellows and Friends of the College can leave a tangible legacy through the donation of a brick at the ACD House in Rockville, Maryland. The building is owned by the ACD Foundation, and the brick walkway blends with the historic city sidewalk in front of the building. Located in the Montgomery Avenue Historic District, the House is open to any Fellow who wishes to visit while in the Washington, D.C. area.

For more information about purchasing a brick in honor of a colleague or to commemorate your Fellowship, please contact Jan Remissong at jan@acd.org or visit acd.memberclicks.net/brick#/.

2026 Webinars

The ACD is offering Leadership Lessons webinars in March and September and will release dates for ethics webinars soon.

More information is available at https://isu.pub/wHdMkkg.

ACD Gift Shop

The ACD Gift Shop offers a unique selection of top-notch gifts for Fellows and friends of the College. From silk accessories to high quality office and home necessities, there are many ways to acknowledge Fellowship in style.