The American Dental Hygienists' Associated hosted a reported 1,500 dental hygienists at its annual session on June 17-23. The association hosted the conference at the Omni Shoreham, featuring its format of the Center for Lifelong Learning and the annual session for the second consecutive year.
But in a more symbolic activity for the annual session's location, approximately 200 dental hygienists participated in a ADHA Lobby Day, speaking with federal legislators about health policy issues.
The annual session also represented the dental hygiene association's transition of elected officials. ADHA bid farewell to outgoing president Diann Bomkamp of St. Louis, who presided over the association during such landmark events as self-regulation in California and the passage of legislation in Minnesota approving a new mid-level dental hygiene career.
Johnson & Johnson honored the recipients of its 2009 Hygienist Hero program during the ADHA. The recipients are:
• Ilya Babiy, RDH, BSDH, of Portland, OR
• Jennifer Via Clayton, RDH, of Boise, ID
• Diana Corbin, RDH, of Flint, VA
• Patricia Doyle, RDH, BS, FADPD, of Seattle, WA
• Dona Gabzdyl, RDH, BS, MBA, of Elk Grove, IL
• Lisa Handa, BS, RDH, RDHAP, of San Mateo, CA
• Jessica Huffman, RDH, BSDH, of Charlotte, NC
• Denise Maus, RDH, BS, of Wichita, KS
• Linda Meeuwenberg, RDH, MA, MA, of Winter Park, FL
• Judith Shimamoto, RDH, BA, of St. Louis, MO
For more information about the Hygienist Hero Recognition Program, visit www.hygienisthero.com.
In a reception at the ADHA, Philips Sonicare and RDH magazine also hosted the presentation of the Mentor of the Year award to Toni Adams of California. A video of the reception can be viewed here.
