ADHA Center for Lifelong Learning update

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) 88th Annual Session and Center for Lifelong Leaning (CLL) was held June 15-21, in Nashville, TN. There was a Community Service Day on June 15, 2011, and on other days there were continuing education courses and workshops, posters, student’s events, exhibits, marketplace, awards, social events, and association business. There were ADHA Meetings, professional & career development sessions, lunches/receptions, public health events, research & education courses, plenary sessions, exhibits, and plenty of activities for clinically practicing dental hygienists and students. The 88th Annual Session Business Meeting, June 19-21, focused on the business related activities of the Association. Forums and workshops were streamlined to be topic driven and create a more collaborative discussion environment. In the spirit of Better Together, leaders from all 51 constituents convened to discuss and map the future of the profession, adopt policy to support that future and elect officers.In this issue of RDH eVillage FOCUS, we will highlight new technology PeriZone PerioPatch, Providing Care for Women with Cancer, a Tribute to Irene Woodall, and Grant Writing and Critical Thinking.A number of awards were given at the meeting, not all listed here. At the President’s Luncheon, honoring Caryn Solie, RDH, the Awards Program for Excellence in Dental Hygiene was hosted by Christine Charles, RDH, BS, Director of Scientific & Professional Affairs, Oral Care R&D, Johnson & Johnson Consumer & Personal Products Worldwide. This Awards Program was initiated in 1988, and there are 117 award winners to date. The 2011 awards were presented to Marsha Larrabee, RDHAP, and Barbara Posler, RDH. Marsha is currently working with the Indian Health Service in Montana and is a member of the Health Promotion Disease Prevention Committee. I nominated Marsha for her award! Barbara is a vital force in the changes taking place in New Mexico, and has inspired many to take responsibility for the future of the dental hygiene profession. The ADHA Esther Wilkins Future Leader Award went to Monica Colleen Stephenson, RDH, BS, and the Educator of the Year was Dani Carroll, RDH, BA, MA. Vickie Kimbrough-Walls, RDH, MBA, was awarded the Irene Newman Professional Achievement Award, and the Crest/ADHA Clinician Dental Hygienist Award went to Catherine Stark, RDH, OMT, and Doris M. Caimi, RDH, BS. The Hu-Friedy/ADHA Master Clinician Award was received by Tammy Keller, RDH, CDHC, BSDH. I (Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, BA, MS) am the proud winner of the 2011 Alfred C. Fones Award.The next issue of RDH eVillage FOCUS will feature other presentations made at the CLL. The next ADHA CLL at the 89th Annual Session will be held June 13-19, 2012, in Phoenix, AZ. “Navigating through a Changing Profession, Seizing the Opportunities of Tomorrow," is the theme.