December 8, 2023
My Trusty Field Reporters
While I love to travel and see our members, I can’t always be everywhere at one time so I rely on my trusty field reporters to supply some photos and a summary so that you are not deprived of the news or perhaps your moment in the spotlight. Thanks to Sam Silvey, Greater Kansas City Dental Society ED, and Halie Payne, MDA Professional Affairs Director, for delivering the goods!
GKCDS Holiday Installation Party
I’m not surprised that everyone in attendance at a good time at the swanky Hotel Kansas City. Good food and beverage making spirits bright is par for the course but I also noticed some pool shark action going on. Maybe don’t quit your day job? Anyway, there was some official business as well. MDA President, Dr. Jeremy Bowen, was among his local society colleagues which made it easy to speak briefly about MDA issues and provide a plaque to outgoing GKCDS President, Dr. Katie Oatman. Dr. Oatman also received a local plaque from incoming president, Dr. Zach Brown. Dr. Bowen swore in both Dr. Brown and longtime treasurer, Dr. Samuel Hayes. And to top it off Dr. Oatman provided lifetime membership certificates to Drs. Sue Dobbs, Merle Nunemaker and Linda Wells. Any lifetime honor is nothing to sneeze at. A lifetime of being a member dentist in the MDA is really something to celebrate. Congratulations!
Lobbyist Conference in Arizona
Last weekend, Vicki Wilbers and Halie traveled to sunny Scottsdale, Arizona for the annual ADA Lobbyist Conference. They were joined by Jorgen Schlemeier and Grace Riley from our MDA lobby team. This is always a great conference, full of discussion about legislative and advocacy efforts from different state associations. Vicki gave a stellar presentation during the workforce panel on the OPA EFDA. Missouri is definitely leading the charge in solving workforce issues. Further panel discussions revolved around Dental Loss Ratio, dental insurance reform, teledentistry and more. It’s a great event full of collaboration and sharing ideas. Can’t wait to see what we accomplish in 2024!
Speaking of Advocacy, Dental Day Registration is Now Open
Dental Day at the Capitol is March 6, 2024 and registration is OPEN! There is no better way to advocate for your profession than attending Dental Day and building relationships with your legislators. The MDA has a strong reputation at the Capitol and that will only remain strong through advocacy efforts and events like Dental Day. Meetings will take place between 8-11 a.m. and you’ll have chance to meet with your representatives and senators who make the decisions that have a direct effect on your practice every single day. This will be a fantastic opportunity and I encourage you to join us. Always feel free to reach out to halie@modentalmail.org for more information.
Festive Season Ahead
This time of year is full of fun gatherings, surprise gifts in the break room and all around joy with season greetings, beautiful decorations and year end celebrations. Yesterday, some of us went to a Jefferson City pub known as Gumbo Bottoms for a party hosted by business partner, High Five Communications. Darren Heckman, Rebecca Scheuler, Madison Hamacher and Sarah Williams have been like extended team members helping us with several targeted campaigns like dues renewals and workforce issues. It’s nice to gather socially. Thanks for including us!
The Week(s) Ahead
Travel has come to a close, holiday time off is picking up and the daily work, while valuable, is hardly photo worthy for a blog so I plan to do just one last entry for the year after our staff Christmas party where the theme is Winter Wonderland (i.e. dress in all white!). Until then, many wishes for what you need and want most out of this season. We appreciate all our members!
Quote of the Week
“May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility.” – Mary Anne Radmacher
