New officers installed by House of Delegates
Linda J. Edgar, D.D.S., voted president-elect; David J. Manzanares, D.D.S., named second vice president
Houston - George R. Shepley, D.D.S., of Baltimore, was installed Oct. 18 as the 159th president of the American Dental Association.
Dr. Shepley and the new and returning officers of the Association were installed at the ADA House of Delegates meeting in Houston.
"They say that fortune favors the bold - our ADA is proof of that," Dr. Shepley said in his address to delegates. "We have known the great fortunes of trust, influence and respect as an organization and profession. Because when it mattered most, we adapted, and we made bold moves."
Quoting President Theodore Roosevelt, he encouraged his fellow officers and delegates to commit to "daring greatly" to continue to enhance the profession through legislative advocacy, clinical practice guidelines, standards, coding, testing, dental research and thought leadership on the dental economy.
"Boldness is how we've built resilience," Dr. Shepley said. "It's how we've navigated every modern public health crisis from HIV to COVID-19. It's how we've survived times of peak inflation - the days when a glut of dental school graduates entered the market, bought homes and opened practices when interest rates were 18% and 19%. I was one of those dentists."
"The ADA has evolved through it all - learning more, knowing better, doing better and simply going from strength to strength ? all because we have simply dared to try."
A life member of the ADA, Dr. Shepley has served the ADA as president-elect, 4th District trustee, alternate or delegate to the House of Delegates, chair of the Council on Communications, chair of the Budget and Finance Committee and chair ofthe Committee on Annual Meetings. He also served two terms on the State Public Affairs Oversight Committee. He has been a Board liaison to the Council on Members Insurance and Retirement Programs, the American Student Dental Association, the Council on Government Affairs and the American Dental Political Action Committee. He is a past president of the Maryland State Dental Association and a member of the Academy of General Dentistry. He is a fellow of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy.
Dr. Shepley received his dental degree from West Virginia University School of Dentistry in 1977 and has practiced dentistry in Baltimore since 1978. Dr. Shepley and his wife, Ellen, live in Baltimore and have three children and two grandchildren.
In his address to the House, Dr. Shepley called for the ADA to act boldly in three priority areas: as champions of optimal health; as individual educators and collective advocates; and in embracing cultural changes in business and community.
He challenged the ADA to set the global standard for defining oral health within the profession, and to take a strong stand to address the harmful effects of dietary sugar and work collaboratively with other medical organizations to educate and advocate for optimal health. And he called for the Association to welcome and mentor dentists of all backgrounds, races, ethnicities, genders and practice modalities.
"Our strategic plan certainly didn't account for a global pandemic," Dr. Shepley said. "And yet, the ADA has rallied into a place of recovery and renewal. Our current moment is not one for resignation, timidity or defeat. It's a chance to be what we have always been - intentional, diligent and willing to do the work. We are repositioning ourselves for success in dentistry's new day. How else should we move forward if not daringly?"
New officers
Also installed were President-Elect Linda J. Edgar, D.D.S.; Second Vice President David J. Manzanares, D.D.S.; and Speaker W. Mark Donald, D.M.D. In addition, the Board installed four new trustees and a new chair of the New Dentist Committee: Brendan P. Dowd, D.D.S., 2nd District; Randall C. Markarian, D.M.D., 8th District; John E. Hisel Jr., D.D.S., 11th District; Karin Irani, D.D.S., 13th District; and James Lee, D.M.D., New Dentist Committee chair.
President-elect
Dr. Edgar, a general dentist in Federal Way, Washington, is the immediate past trustee for the 11th District. She has also served as a delegate to the ADA House and as a member of the ADA Council on Dental Practice. She is a past president and past secretary of the Academy of General Dentistry, past president of the Seattle King County Dental Society, and fellow of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and Academy of Dentistry International. She was chair of the University of Washington School of Dentistry's $22 million fundraising campaign for more than 10 years and has competed in 45 marathons and two Ironman Triathlon competitions.
Second vice president
Dr. Manzanares, a general dentist in Albuquerque, New Mexico, received his dental degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. He has served in leadership positions throughout the tripartite, including secretary/treasurer of the New Mexico Dental Association, member of the ADA Council on Communications, chair of the ADA Volunteer Engagement Program, director of the NMDA Foundation board of directors and conference chair for Fiesta NMDA, the NMDA annual meeting. He is also a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and American Equilibration Society and a fellow of the American College of Dentists and International College of Dentists.
Speaker
Dr. Donald, a general dentist in Louisville, Mississippi, was elected to a second three-year term as speaker. He has served as a delegate to the ADA House and member of the ADA Council on Dental Practice. He is past speaker and president of the Mississippi Dental Association. He also served as speaker and president of the Academy of General Dentistry. He earned his dental degree from the University of Mississippi School of Dentistry.
New trustees
Dr.Dowd, a retired general dentist in Buffalo, New York, is the new 2nd District trustee. He served as assistant dean of clinical operations at SUNY at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and is currently a part-time clinical assistant professor. Dr. Dowd is a past president of the New York State Dental Association and the Eighth District Dental Society and served on the ADA Council on Dental Practice.
Dr. Markarian, an orthodontist in Swansea, Illinois, is the new 8th District trustee. He served as chair for the ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs and is a past president of the Illinois State Dental Society and past chair of the American Association of Orthodontists Council on Orthodontic Benefits. He received his dental degree from the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine and his master's degree in orthodontics from the St. Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education.
Dr. Hisel, a general dentist in Boise, Idaho, is the new trustee for the 11th District. He is a past president of the Idaho State Dental Association and was honored with both the ISDA President's Award and the ISDA Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and Christian Medical and Dental Association and a fellow of the International College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy. He is a consultant to the Idaho State Board of Dentistry.
Dr. Irani, a general dentist in Los Angeles, California, is the new 13th District trustee. She has served as chair of the ADA Council on Membership, a trustee of the California Dental Association, chair of CDA's Leadership Development Committee and president of the San Fernando Valley Dental Association. She is a co-founder of Veterans Smile Day, a nonprofit organization providing free dental care to veterans nationwide.
Dr. Lee, New Dentist Committee chair, is a general dentist in Malden, Massachusetts. He has served as the Massachusetts Dental Society Board of Trustees secretary and as East Middlesex District Dental Society trustee. He is a fellow of the International College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy. He was awarded the MDS 10 Under 10 Award in 2020 and received his dental degree from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.
Returning officers, trustees
Mark Bronson, D.D.S., succeeds Maria Maranga, D.D.S., as first vice president. Dr. Bronson has served as president of the Ohio Dental Association and chair of the ADA Council on Government Affairs and ADA State Public Affairs Committee. He received his dental degree from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He is a member of the National Dental Association and fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, American College of Dentists and International College of Dentists.
Ted Sherwin, D.D.S., a general dentist in Orange, Virginia, continues as treasurer of the ADA. He has served as treasurer and president of the Virginia Dental Association, president of the Shenandoah Valley Dental Association and a member of the ADA House of Delegates. He is a fellow of the International College of Dentists, American College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy and a member of the Academy of General Dentistry.
Richard J. Rosato, D.M.D., an oral and maxillofacial surgeon practicing in Concord and Peterborough, New Hampshire, and 1st District trustee, has served as chair of the ADA Council on Ethics, Bylaws and Judicial Affairs, as well as the ADA Election Commission. He also was president of the New Hampshire Dental Society and New Hampshire Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Society. He is a fellow of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy.
James M. Boyle III, D.D.S., 3rd District trustee, is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in York, Pennsylvania. Dr. Boyle has served as a member of the ADA House of Delegates and chair of the Commission on Specialty Recognition and Certifying Boards, Council on Dental Education and Licensure, and the Continuing Education Registration Program. He also served as past president of the Pennsylvania Dental Association and York County Dental Society.
Frank J. Graham, D.M.D., 4th District trustee, is an orthodontist in Teaneck, New Jersey, and the Bronx, New York. Dr. Graham has served as chair of the ADA Council on Government Affairs and the Council on Dental Practice and as a member of the Board of the American Dental Political Action Committee and the ADA House of Delegates. In addition, he served as past president of the New Jersey Dental Association and Bergen County Dental Society.
Marshall H. Mann, D.D.S., 5th District trustee, is a general practice dentist based in Rome, Georgia. Dr. Mann has served as a member of the ADA Council on Members Insurance and Retirement Programs and multiple ADA committees, including the Subcommittee on Program Financials, Product Development and Budget Development. He also served as president of the Floyd County Dental Society, Northwestern District Dental Society and Georgia Dental Association.
Michael D. Medovic, D.D.S., 6th District trustee, is a general dentist from Wheeling, West Virginia, and a faculty member at the West Virginia University School of Dentistry. He has served as a member of the ADA House of Delegates and ADA Council on Dental Practice and as chair of the Council on Dental Practice's National Elder Care Advisory Committee. He is a past president of the West Virginia Dental Association.
Chad R. Leighty, D.D.S., a general dentist in Marion, Indiana, is the 7th District trustee. He has served as program chair of the former Council on ADA Sessions, Indiana floor leader as a member of the ADA House of Delegates and 7th District representative to the ADA speaker of the house. He is a past president of the Indiana Dental Association. He is a participant in the large group practice of P1 Dental Partners.
Michele M. Tulak-Gorecki, D.D.S., 9th District trustee, is a general practice dentist based in Warren, Michigan. Dr. Tulak-Gorecki has served in the House of Delegates since 2012 and on multiple committees, including the Budget, Business and Administrative Reference Committee, the Legislative, Health, Governance and Related Matters Reference Committee, and the Dental Benefits, Practice and Related Matters Reference Committee. In addition, she also served as past president of the Michigan Dental Association and Macomb Dental Society.
Scott L. Morrison, D.D.S., 10th District trustee, is a periodontist from Omaha, Nebraska. He has served as a member of the ADA Council on Members Insurance and Retirement Programs, the ADA Council on Government Affairs and the ADA House of Delegates, and as an American Dental Political Action Committee action team leader and a Lobby Day participant. He is a past president of the Nebraska Dental Association.
Terry Fiddler, D.D.S., 12th District trustee, is a general dentist in Conway, Arkansas. He has served as an ADA delegate, chair of the ADA Council on Communications and president of the Arkansas State Dental Association. He founded the Arkansas Forensic Identification Team and the Arkansas State Dental Association Peer Review. He has received fellowships from the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy.
Brett Kessler, D.D.S., 14th District trustee, is a general dentist in Denver, Colorado. He has served as an ADA delegate, vice chair of the ADA Council on Dental Benefit Programs, consultant to the ADA Council on Dental Practice's Health and Well-Being Advisory Committee and president of the Colorado Dental Association. In 2010, he received the ADA's Golden Apple Award for outstanding leadership in mentoring. He is a fellow of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy.
Craig S. Armstrong, D.D.S., 15th District trustee, has served as a delegate in the ADA House of Delegates, chair of the ADA Council on Government Affairs and member of the Council on Dental Practice. He is a past president of the Texas Dental Association, Greater Houston Dental Society and Texas Academy of General Dentistry. He was named Texas Dentist of the Year by the Academy of General Dentistry.
Gary D. Oyster, D.D.S., 16th District trustee, is a general dentist in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has served as an ADA delegate, an American Dental Political Action Committee board member and the vice president of the North Carolina Dental Society. He is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and fellow of the American College of Dentists and International College of Dentists.
Rudolph T. Liddell, D.M.D., 17th District trustee, is a general dentist in Brandon, Florida. He has served as a member of the ADA House of Delegates and chair of the ADA Council on Dental Practice. He also was president, secretary and trustee for the Florida Dental Association. Dr. Liddell is a fellow of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy.
