The American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM) recently announced the winners of the 2020 Practice Administrator of the Year award. For the first time there were two winners: Debbie Evans, FAADOM, practice dministrator of Wainright & Wassel, DDS, in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Jennifer Steadman, FAADOM, director of operations of Dentistry by Design in Methuen, Massachusetts.
This award was conferred by AADOM’s 2019 Practice Administrator of the Year, Greg Prince, FAADOM, in a virtual ceremony hosted by the association and broadcast live via Facebook. “The presentation of this award is one of the highlights of the year for AADOM members. The fact that we held it virtually did not impact the excitement of announcing the winners. In fact, it was wonderful to be able to broadcast it live so that all of the nominees’ families, doctors, and teams could be a part of it,” stated Heather Colicchio, AADOM president.
Both Evans and Steadman are longtime members of AADOM. Each have served as president of their local AADOM chapters and both are pursuing their mastership within AADOM. They were chosen by a committee who rated all nominations on several rigorous criteria. As winners, Evans and Steadman will receive a $1,000 prize, a cover feature in The Observer magazine, complimentary lifetime AADOM membership, and free tuition to the AADOM 2021 annual conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. All of this is made possible by the award sponsor, CareCredit. CareCredit has long been a champion and supporter of education and recognition of AADOM members and dental practice administrators.
AADOM also recently inducted the 2020 class of fellows (FAADOM) and the inaugural class of masters (MAADOM). The FAADOM and MAADOM designations mark the highest levels of distinction in dental practice management, as well as the highest level of recognition a dental office manager or practice administrator can achieve in dentistry as part of the AADOM designation program.
Like the Administrator of the Year award, the induction ceremony was held virtually via Facebook Live. “It was certainly different,” says Colicchio, “but I think even more emotional. The fact that we were able to induct these honored members was truly special. The fact that we did it live online simply meant that more honorees were able to have their families, friends, doctors, and teams watch and participate, which was wonderful.”
AADOM inducted 43 fellows this year. They were named by Teresa Duncan, president of Odyssey Management. Duncan said, “AADOM members are always at the top of their game. It's no surprise that so many practice leaders choose to pursue additional designations. FAADOMs and MAADOMs are committed to elevating their offices and team members. Every class is full of not only dental leaders, but practice partners."
The new MAADOMs were named by Cindy Durley, executive director of the Dental Assisting National Board and the DALE Foundation. “The 2020 induction of AADOM fellows and masters was historic for a number of firsts,” stated Durley. “The first virtual convocation, the first class of MAADOMs, the first FAADOM inductee from outside of North America. Yet the excitement, pride, and camaraderie of this class matched levels established in AADOM’s pre-COVID convocations. What a joy and privilege to participate in this awesome event!”
It is important to note that MAADOMs received special training in infection control, which proved invaluable to so many who were pursuing their mastership before and during the pandemic, making them even more important to the success of their practices.
AADOM looks forward to celebrating this year’s FAADOMs and MAADOMs at next year’s conference, as well as potentially inducting their first class of Diplomates.
