Dr. Charles Eller
The Fellows of the Pierre Fauchard Academy are still in a state of shock while remembering Richard A. Kozal, our SecretaryGeneral. He has left a mark in our hearts and lives, a man admired by all. He lived a full, productive life and was a creditto his Creator, his family, and to our great profession. We must close this chapter now and move on. This is what Richardwould expect of us, and we shall!!!!
The first order of business at the recent Management Team Meeting near San Diego in Coronado, California, was to fillthe position of Executive Director of the Academy. We have done so!
Judith Kozal is our new Executive Director, a unanimous decision of the Management Team and a logical choice.Richard and Judith took over the job of managing the Academy 30 years ago. At that time, they were handed a shoe boxof 3" x 5" cards listing the names of about 200 Fellows, active and retired. That was when they started to build the Academyand build they did!
The Academy will reach its 75th birthday in two years. Our Founders should be pleased with our accomplishments. It allbegan with attempts to have dental research papers created and published by dentists, not commercial entities. Then on tohonoring dentists worldwide who have distinguished our profession above and beyond that which would be considered the"norm." Now, our PFA Foundation has distributed $4.65 million in scholarships and grants over the past 12 years.The Constitution, By-Laws, and Policy Manual Committee (Drs. Hedlund, Englander, Schafthauser, and PFA Attorney JonHowe) has produced a new Policy Manual. Attorney Howe felt that this was necessary because our old Constitution, By-Laws,and Policy manuals were "outdated and needed simplification."
Due to some legal technicalities, which were unknown in the past, the PFA now has a 2009 contract for services renderedto the PFA Foundation.
The Awards Committee has bestowed the PFA Gold Medal, our highest award, to Dr. Eugene Sekiguchi of California, a formerAmerican Dental Association President and a multi-talented individual. Wait until you read his outstanding C.V.! The Certificateof Merit is awarded to General Dr. Robert E. Brady, the outgoing Executive Director of the International College of Dentists.Other honors include the Elmer S. Best Award for 2009, our highest award given to a non-resident American dentist;the Award goes to Dr. Zbigniew Janczuk of Poland. The Dental Trade & Industry Award goes to Gilles Pierson of the ActeonCompany of France.
The 2010 Elmer S. Best Award will be presented to Dr. Jose Carlos Elgoyhen of Argentina.Last year, 12 of the Latin American Sections met for the first time in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This year, the European Sections andguests were united for the first time. International Trustee Jose Dahan and Section Chair Frank Braun of Germany gathered12 nations in Cologne, Germany. This venue was chosen because it was the biennial meeting of the largest dental meeting inthe world, the International Dental Show with more than 100,000 attendees and 1,820 exhibitors from 57 countries. As youcan see, an ideal setting for the European Sections to congregate! Some of our "surprises" were from Latvia, Romania, Hungary,Poland, the Republic of Georgia, Senegal, and the Congo. We hope to open some new Sections for the Academy.As the Management Team convened at the Hotel Del Coronado, we stood in awe of this magnificent 121-year-old structure.It has been "modified" over the years, of course, but it is still the Crown Jewel of hotels. We wondered at the time, will thePierre Fauchard Academy be able to stand the test of time and be as great an organization as this hotel is today. The answer isa resounding "YES" because of individuals like our PFA Fellows, each doing their part to make this world a better place.Thank you for your attention--'til we meet again.
Sincerely, Your President,Chuck Eller