Report of ADEA President and CEO

This annual report by the President and CEO of American Dental Education Association was presented to ADEA House Delegates at its Opening Session during 99th Annual & Exhibition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Good afternoon welcome 2022 Exhibition. I'm delighted be standing here greeting you person. Even though we are just starting our conference, I believe can already declare it a success. Why? Because together. We emerging from an especially traumatic time with COVID-19 pandemic your presence is testimony hope, progress, mutual love for this community dental educators. Two years ago, had cancel as took hold. Last year, hosted virtual conference. So, even my third year ADEA's CEO, marks first that have pleasure honor hosting event feel like it's long overdue, seeing smiling faces lifts spirits more than know. want start saying thank you. Thank making commitment travel join us when there still some trepidation uncertainty hopefully turn corner on pandemic, perseverance advancing education. The late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, “So often life, things regard impediment out great, good fortune.” Now, not going stand today suggest has been fortune anyone, but if consider spirit what shared, general truth think all recognize. Out crisis comes opportunity, am proud say seized those opportunities. Early schools were forced close their campuses, they embraced innovative technologies communicate teach students. use remote learning allows reach new students, teledentistry serve most underserved populations. face interesting balancing act embrace could improve access both education care patients, eventually cut costs, while being mindful tremendous value human-to-human interaction must remain hallmark health total. As dentists, hygienists, students stepped up help administration vaccines, demonstrated crucial role oral professionals play larger ecosystem. continue broaden understanding nexus between overall well-being, elevate priority federal level. also led progress license portability, long-standing goal Coalition Modernizing Licensure. way go, few states loosened restrictions licensure portability rethinking justifications restrictions. Perhaps significantly, introduced stresses turmoil lives, educators delivered. With grit, grace, determination, steadfast generation or leaders. I'd now provide brief overview how itself doing. In short, vibrant vital organization. Our finances strong, members engaged, profile Voice continues grow. that's because listening members, scanning landscape, pivoting must, providing resources support need thrive. To give examples such activity over past deployed landmark climate study allied programs. Working Nonprofit HR, collecting baseline data diversity, equity, inclusion U.S. Canadian initiative step assisting academic dentistry fostering humanistic environment. Work project hope summer. Also diversity front, released titled Slow Change: HURE Groups Education. Rich data, takes comprehensive look historically underrepresented racial ethnic applicants graduates education, highlights best practices model programs move forward. Next month, will launch membership survey decade. Your priorities preferences do matter us, primary ensure develop services deliver them means find valuable. advocacy government relations team fight facing budget pressures. Virtual Capitol Hill Day coming April 20 invite participation. nearing completion development Micro-credentialing Program Council Sections, which allow earn additional recognition career growth Overall, portfolio professional webinars recruitment efforts stronger ever. Today, GoDental Recruitment Event 600 attend. solid overhaul website, complete design content management system. end better user experience, easier stay engaged ADEA. expect website early 2023. lineup workshops, conferences, seminars, other events robust. pandemic-induced, virtual-only approach, developed newfound appreciation variety meeting models so meet needs members. Looking ahead, gearing centennial celebration next 2024 host International Women's Leadership Conference conjunction Research New Orleans, Louisiana. Details about these activities found 2021 Report, available ADEAAnnualReport.org/2021. everything do, focus solutions challenges face. If two taught anything, challenges. together, take heights. Author disability rights advocate Helen Keller observed, “A bend road … unless fail make turn.” Well, certainly successfully made turn, confident navigate rest twists turns ahead. mentioned, gather year. little early. let's days celebrate one another, hail achievements, pay tribute who paved way, inspire another higher. you, wishes thoroughly enjoyable engaging