2006foundationofexcellence

Second Annual Foundation of Excellence Awards Huge Success

Nearly 200 people congregated at the elegant Penthouse of the St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan this November to celebrate the
accomplishments of the four individuals who are this year's Foundations of Excellence awards. This is the second year in a row in
which the New York State Dental Foundation has bestowed recognition in the categories of Academics, Research and Community
Service, and the first time such awards were given for Corporate Leadership.

"The New York State Dental Foundation is the vehicle through which we as dental professionals give something back to the
community," said Dr. Edward Downes, Foundation chair, in his opening remarks. "The Foundation is NOT about dentists. It’s
NOT about us. It is about what we can do for the public. It is the way that NYSDA says thank you to the people of New York for
helping us make the profession of dentistry what it is today. In essence, the Foundation is the conscience of the dental profession
and your presence here today is a tribute to the values which underline that commitment. And, we are here today to pay tribute to
several individuals who represent those values to the highest degree."

Winning the 2006 Foundation of Excellence in Academics Award was former Foundation Board member, Michael Alfano. Widely
noted as an academic visionary, Dr. Alfano has tirelessly worked to bridge the gap between the practice of dentistry and the
greater healthcare community. Most recently, has has overseen the launch of a new evidence-based practice program, a
collaboration of the Colleges of Nursing and Dentistry, which seeks to improve the quality, effectiveness and appropriateness of
patient care by teaching dental students and nursing students to integrate their clinical experience with the best scientific evidence.

When handing Dr. Alfano the award, Dr. Downes noted that it was with a little sadness that he did so, because he no longer
belongs solely to the profession of dentistry. "His talents have lead him to be chosen as executive vice president of New York
University, a position which has enormous ramifications not only for the dental profession but for the entire NYU community as
well as the people of New York. So," continued Dr. Downes, "while as I said, he has left his position as dean of my alma mater, I
am proud that one of our best and one of our brightest is demonstrating to the academic world that dentistry is not narrowly
focused, that our profession can produce great leaders."

Dr. G. Kirk Gleason, Foundation treasurer, presented Alice Horowitz, RDH, MA, PhD, with the Foundation of Excellence in
Research Award. Dr. Horowitz, a senior scientist in the Division of Population and Health Promotion Sciences at the NIDCR, has
been a highly dedicated, behind-the-scenes national and international stimulus and resource for better oral health and overall health.
Her imprint is consistently seen on many oral disease prevention initiatives that have been promoted in our country for the past 25
years. The recent renewed interest in oral cancer prevention was stimulated in large part by Dr. Horowitz and her colleagues, who
played a critical role in building a strategic national plan for oral cancer prevention, and then led the way to generate action.

This year's recipient of the Foundation of Excellence in Corporate Leadership Award was Mr. Michael Sudzina, director,
Professional and Scientific Relations, Oral Care Procter & Gamble. Foundation Board member Dr. Ira Lamster introduced Mr.
Sudzina, describing him as a man who has developed clear strategies to help the company develop relationships with professional
dental organizations in both North America and Latin America. He manages and coordinates innovative professional education,
scientific exchange and speaker programs for both dentists and dental hygienists. Throughout his career, Mr. Sudzina has
consistently exemplified the ideal that corporate citizenship, sustainability and social responsibility can in fact be one with bottom-
line growth.

The final award of the afternoon, the Foundation of Excellence in Community Service Award, was given by Foundation Board
member Roy E. Lasky to Dr. Chad Gehani, who received a standing ovation from the audience, which included dignitaries from
many diverse dental organizations and international corporations. Dr. Gehani was honored for being the leading dentist working
with NYSDA to ensure the continuation and the development of New York State's Medicaid program, the primary vehicle through
which the poor receive critical dental services. Most recently, Dr. Gehani's efforts were instrumental in enabling NYSDA to defeat
a gubernatorial proposal to eliminate adult dental serivces from the program. As a result of his efforts, millions of New York
citizens still have access to quality dental care. In addition, Dr. Gehani continues to lead organized dentistry's, as well as the
Foundation's, efforts to include diversity within the framework of its membership.

Among the sponsors of this year's Foundations of Excellence Awards luncheon were MLMIC, NYSDA and its subsidiaries, and
Procter & Gamble. The benefactors were NYSDA, Sullivan-Schein and United Healthcare.

"I think we can look forward to this an ongoing annual event," concluded Dr. Downes. "It is truly where we can pay visible
tribute to the individuals and organizations that enable the Foundation to build upon its past successes and to further its goals."

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