April 19, 2024
Go To Your Corner!
While this title phrase may cause some of you to flinch with childhood memories, today it’s a happy phrase because Team Travel has split up to visit our fine members in the corner components in the Southeast and Southwest.
I was in Cape Girardeau for some Southeast Dental Society events including a cool Hi-Tech night sponsored by Patterson Dental complete with a great prize raffle. It was nice to mingle with vendors and members. My tech abilities are limited to providing the photos, lol! I felt more at home the next morning when I joined about 25 members and vendors in a golf scramble at the lovely Dalhousie Golf Club. You’ll find more good shots at the local bar but still the competition was fierce and fun. Congrats to the winning team of Drs. Nick Harter, Mark Milde, Bob Fox, and Ron Lessman. And playful embarrassment to the last place team which is awarded soccer balls as a tip to take up another sport. Over lunch the SEDS, led by President, Dr. Audrey Frenz, held a business meeting and covered important ground like supporting the C4$ Raffle and electing Dr. Frenz as their representative on the New Dentist Committee to replace outgoing stalwart, Dr. Mack Taylor. All the interactions were good, and I wish we could make it down this way more often.
Meanwhile over in the Southwest Dental Society corner, Jerri Wildhaber, Vicki Wilbers, and Devin Jungmeyer were pulling double duty. They started with Food for Thought at the KCU College of Dental Medicine where students scarfed down Chick Fil A and heard from local dentists, Drs. Jay Brown and Andrew Byrne. Plus, the ever-present Wheel of Names made the prize giveaways full of excitement. It’s hard to believe the inaugural class is almost through their first year. It won’t be long before we welcome the class of 2028. Later that evening the MDA team went to the traditional Club 1201 for the annual SWDS meeting led by President, Dr. Alex Talbott, who received a plaque from Vicki, to commemorate his service to the SWDS. Incoming President, Dr. Kyle Wilson was sworn in alongside President-Elect, Dr. Ricardo Lemus and Treasurer, Dr. Mike LaFerla. There are a lot of newer dentists and new members that are part of the SWDS which is a good sign as the dental school takes root.
Briefs and Bits
Jerri and MDIS were once again a cup of cold water on a hot day by providing snacks for the MOSDOH students talking board exams…The New Dentist Network is launching a Best Missouri Smile bracket contest next week. Be sure to watch MDA social channels and vote for your favorites as we whittle down to two finalists. It’s super easy. In the end (May 17) two members of the NDN who picked the winning smile will each receive $125…And classes roll along at the MDA Training Center. Looks like it’s an EFDA Ortho class this weekend.
The Week Ahead
More travel is on tap as we return to Kansas City for a series of student events including the all-important, National Signing Day. Plus, I’ll join Dr. Bowen at the Greater Springfield Dental Society Installation dinner Thursday evening, and then Dr. Bowen will lead the MDA Board of Trustees through their April meeting ….and perhaps the biggest news of the year! . Lots of photos to come.
Quote of the Week
“You can’t stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes. “ – A.A. Milne
