It Happens Every Spring
On March 9, 2005, nomination forms for the 2006 MDA
Humanitarian Service, Outstanding Service, New Dentist Leadership, and Guest of
Honor awards were sent to the presidents, trustees, and executive directors of
the eight districts of the Minnesota Dental Association, the President’s Award
going only to the MDA president. Nominations were gathered over the following
months, with a deadline of September 1. Immediately after adjournment of the
September House of Delegates meeting, the MDA’s new Board of Trustees met,
considered the nominees, and voted to select the award winners.
Each of the five awards carries its own criteria. They are:
Guest of Honor. The Association’s highest award, it “honors a member for
outstanding service to the art and science of dentistry, participation and
contributions to organized dentistry over an extended period of time, community
involvement, and/or academic accomplishments.”
President’s Award. Given by the MDA president, it “recognizes a member for
giving extraordinary service to the Association and the profession.”
Outstanding Service Award. This award honors “a member who has given outstanding
service to organized dentistry, either for a component or constituent society,
the ADA, or
another dental organization.”
Humanitarian Service Award. Formerly the Distinguished Service Award, it “honors a
member for humanitarian service to the local, regional, state, national, or
global community. The nominee need not have served organized dentistry.”
New Dentist Leadership Award. This award recognizes “an active member of the MDA who has
served dentistry and the dental community through efforts that demonstrate
devotion to the profession and the public. To be eligible, a candidate must be
a dentist who has graduated from dental school on or after January 1, 1996.”
The Honorees
When Northwest Dentistry asked the award winners for “an
abbreviated c.v.” for this article, we quickly discovered there is no such
animal. Their accomplishments literally fill pages. Therefore we decided to
view the sum of their parts by blending the c.v.s, the nominating document, and
some “anecdotal evidence” (we talked to them on the phone ... a lot). Along with the biographical information we
wished to present, the award winners were asked to write about why they do what
they do, whatever category that might fall into. The resulting portraits are,
we think, evidence of a level of care taken with great heart, talent, and
dedication.
2006 Minnesota
Dental Association Guest of Honor
Eric E. Stafne, D.D.S., M.S.D.
Eric Stafne is currently a clinical professor in the
Department of Preventive Sciences, Division of Periodontology, and Director of
the Tobacco Cessation Program and Clinic at the University of Minnesota School
of Dentistry. He is also officially listed as “retired”, but you wouldn’t know
it.
He received his D.D.S. from the University of Minnesota
School of Dentistry in 1960 and his M.S.D. in 1965. Dividing his time between a
private practice in periodontology and teaching at the U of M, Eric Stafne’s
career list of achievements, honors, and wide-ranging interests includes every
aspect of a life devoted to the profession of dentistry. His long and
impressive c.v. reflects a lifetime of patient caring, academic excellence, and
professional dedication. The positive attitude and enthusiasm he brings to his
work, his “seeking opportunities to advance the profession,” and his commitment
to “making a difference” create a role model for the students he teaches and
the colleagues he touches. His particular passion for the topic of the impact
of tobacco use, in all its forms, on oral health has advanced the knowledge and
resources dentistry has to provide prevention and continuing patient care on a
day-to-day, “real world” level. His role as a faculty member at the School of Dentistry has helped shape the training
of dentists and the future of the profession. He continues as well to
participate in the various activities of organized dentistry and to support his
profession with energy.
I am a very lucky guy. That starts with having the best wife
and family a person could possibly ask for. Add to that a rewarding and
enjoyable professional life, and it doesn’t get better than that.
I have had a wonderful opportunity to be involved with
private practice dentistry, organized dentistry, dental education, nicotine
dependence treatment, and volunteer work. This has provided me with the chance
to work closely with some extremely talented and enthusiastic individuals. I
have had many excellent mentors along the way: my father, Erwin Schaffer, Ray
Johnson, Stan Lovestedt, Arden Christen, to name just a few.
I enjoyed 25 years in private practice limited to
periodontics with a marvelous office team and the chance to work with many fine
dentists and hygienists who provided quality patient care. I was also teaching
part-time at the School
of Dentistry during those
years.
I had many fun years with organized dentistry working with
dental professionals who volunteered their time and were committed to improving
our profession and patient care.
My involvement with both organized dentistry and the
American Cancer Society started with the Oral Cancer Liaison Committee. In the
1960s this committee was supported by both the MDA and ACS. That committee got
me hooked on both organized dentistry and the American Cancer Society. I had
always had an interest in teaching, so I decided to switch gears and accepted a
full-time teaching position in 1989. This allowed me to form friendships with a
new group of dentists and hygienists who were committed to providing our
profession with high quality practitioners.
One of my American Cancer Society roles was to facilitate
some of their volunteer leadership small-group seminars. When I accepted a
full-time appointment at the School
of Dentistry, I was glad
to be able to contribute as a facilitator for the small-group,
cooperative-learning Patient Care Groups (PCGs). Dr. Ron Geistfeld was
instrumental in developing this Patient Management program. Working with these
sharp young students in a self-directed, small-group learning environment has
been a real joy. Dr. Dick Ford continues to do a great job of directing this
outstanding program.
During my early years in practice as a periodontist we were
seeing a certain percentage of our patients who did not respond well to
treatment. We started to suspect tobacco use as a possible factor. Now, after a
very large volume of research, we know that smoking is a major risk factor for
periodontal diseases and contributes to poor treatment results. This lead to my
second shifting of gears when I joined another group of individuals who were
involved with nicotine dependence treatment. Dr. Bashar Bakdash allowed me the
time to develop the Tobacco Cessation Program and Counseling Clinic at the School of Dentistry. This program, plus my work
with nicotine dependence training and tobacco control research, has given me a
great deal of satisfaction.
I continue to be involved with nicotine dependence treatment
and tobacco control groups but since my retirement from dentistry, I have had
more time to read, bike, and have more fun cooking. I am trying to progress
from Cooking for Dummies to Julia Child, but I’m afraid I am still close to the “dummies” level.
The shifting of gears from private practice to dental
education to tobacco dependence treatment has been exciting and rewarding, and
the special people I have worked with along the way have truly enriched my
life. I am indeed a lucky guy.
Editor’s Note: Dr. Stafne’s father, Edward C. Stafne, shared
the MDA’s Guest of Honor recognition with Drs. Walter Hyde and George M. Damon
in 1957.
2006 Minnesota
Dental Association Humanitarian Service Award
George L. Posavad, Jr., D.D.S.
George Posavad is a general dentist in private practice in Shoreview, Minnesota.
He received his D.D.S. from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in
1966. It is his work with the children in the orphanages in Ukraine that
has brought him the MDA’s 2006 Humanitarian Service Award. His personal
statement about the work he continues to do follows. What he doesn’t say had to
come from the nominating description: “George Posavad’s tireless dedication to
the forgotten children of Ukraine
is an inspiration to countless volunteers and donors to the work.”
After two years as a dentist in the United States Navy, I established
my dental practice in Shoreview,
Minnesota. In 1993 I was asked to
visit the country of Ukraine
to assess the dental programs and needs of the towns in the Cherkassy region. This was the beginning of
many return visits.
The first years, we worked in the public clinics. This was a
time for teaching and supplying the local dentists. However, in 1996 a visit to
an orphanage changed my direction of service. Working through Shepherd’s
Foundation, a Christian humanitarian organization, there began a program of
acquiring portable dental equipment that could be kept in Ukraine for
dental teams to use.
Ukraine
has one million orphans. These are the forgotten children, living with minimal
government assistance. I began taking a team of dentists, assistants, hygienists,
doctors, nurses, and teachers into the orphanages. In addition to the dental
care, each child attends classes in health, basic English, character building,
and the Bible.
As they return to the same orphanages once or twice a year,
a friendship bond has developed with the children and the teachers caring for
them. This Christmas,
I made an additional trip to bring the Christmas story and
gifts to these special children.
Children who were once terrified of a dentist now have happy
smiles and pain-free mouths. The orphanage teachers are “catching the vision”
that each child is special. They know we will return, so they work to improve
the orphanage.
This project’s success is because many dentists, assistants,
and hygienists have joined the teams. Those persons interested in becoming part
of a team may contact Dr. Posavad at (651) 484-7847.
2006 Minnesota
Dental Association New Dentist Leadership Award
Catherine E. Wurm, D.D.S.
Cathy Wurm is an endodontist in private practice in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
She received her D.D.S. from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in
1996 and became a diplomate of the Board of Endodontics in 2005. Prior to this
she was a practicing dental hygienist. Dr. Wurm’s list of scholarships and her
high academic achievement, combined with research, instruction, and continuing
education as well as her activities in her community and organized dentistry
are best described as “a passion for excellence”. Providing a high level of
care for her patients, inspiring many through her role as mentor, and through
many different roles within the field, she has been an excellent ambassador for
dentistry. Balancing it all with her personal and family life, with an
easy-going and compassionate manner, she is truly a leader by example.
I have been asked to write a few paragraphs concerning my
motivation and leadership in dentistry. My initial motivation was highly
influenced by my parents. They were great role models concerning the value of
education and work ethics, and they instilled confidence that I could go to
college. I initially received a dental hygiene degree and was involved in
dentistry through the dental hygiene association and teaching dental health
within the school systems. I later entered dental school as a young adult with
young children. I was motivated at that time by the need to continue to learn
and contribute. My background as a hygienist served me well as I had a clear
idea of dentistry and I knew that I enjoyed it very much. I also had very
caring mentors who continually encouraged me. During my dental school years I
volunteered for the American Cancer Society and was involved during the
addition of the dental student district to the Minnesota Dental Association.
Over the last several years as an endodontist, I have been
challenged as an endodontist, as an employer, as a continuing student during
board certification in endodontics, as a dental association member
participating in organized dentistry on the local and district levels as an
officer, and as an educator speaking to dentists and students. I again have had
wonderful mentors and have continued to learn. During this time my motivation
has grown and changed from fear of making a mistake (I am continuing to become
more confident) to a deep-seated concern for the treatment of the patients as
whole and also for my staff and for my peers in dentistry. I care deeply about
the ethics and profession of dentistry. This is the motivation that energizes
and moves me to continue to grow personally and professionally.
2006 Minnesota Dental Association President’s Award
Stephen F. Litton, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Steve Litton is an orthodontist in private practice in Golden Valley, Minnesota.
He received his D.D.S. from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in
1967, certificate in orthodontics in 1970, and Ph.D. in anatomy in 1972. As a
practicing dentist, teacher, administrator, and participant at many levels of
organized dentistry, he has demonstrated a professional dedication
characterized by “the unselfish gifts of [his] time and talent.” “A natural
leader whose abilities have been recognized by every organization with which he
is affiliated,” his resume includes a long-time connection with the National
Sjogren’s Syndrome Association, for whom he has worked tirelessly. It is,
however, a very particular skill set of this very organized dentist that is
highlighted in the President’s Award this year. Along with having distinguished
himself by his “high level of dedication and service to the profession and the
Association,” wrote MDA 2004-2005 president Patrick Foy, “we are particularly
indebted to you for your exemplary financial management of the Minnesota Dental
Association during your tenure as MDA treasurer from 1998 through 2004. Your
personal, unwavering commitment to this fiduciary effort, which has resulted in
the Association’s current strong financial status, makes you the ideal
recipient of this year’s President’s Award.” Dr. Litton’s achievements continue
to create, support, and advance the work of dentistry on every level.
My deep and abiding interest in organized dentistry has
compelled me to not only participate but also to take leadership positions and
to encourage the participation and involvement of others. Since I feel
fortunate to have benefited in many ways from dentistry, I feel a
responsibility to give of myself to the profession. To each new position that I
accept, I try to give 110%, devoting the fullest measure of my time, energy,
and mental resources. I constantly strive for professionalism in my own work
and in the work of the organizations in which I am involved.
2006 Minnesota
Dental Association Outstanding Service Award
Michael J.
Perpich, D.D.S.
Mike Perpich is a general dentist in private practice in Edina, Minnesota.
He received his D.D.S. from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in
1983. His list of activities in organized dentistry is long and impressive,
with leadership roles within the Minnesota Dental Association as well as dental
organizations on an international level, most particularly the Pierre Fauchard
Academy, of which he was
president in 2004-2005. His particular area of interest/expertise has been
building the communication tools of the organization to assist all of its
sections around the world in communicating better with each other. Membership
recruitment and retention are a priority as well. From service in the
Minneapolis District Dental Society to serving as Minneapolis’ Trustee to the Minnesota Dental
Association, Mike Perpich is “truly an outstanding dentist and a credit to our
profession and community ... actively involved in the field of dentistry,
volunteer dentistry, and giving countless hours to organized dentistry as a
whole.”
I genuinely enjoy being involved in organized dentistry and
through that involvement trying to make a difference in our world. It has given me the opportunity to pursue my
interests at every level of participation from the Minneapolis District Dental
Society to the international Pierre
Fauchard Academy,
and I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed meeting and helping dentists all
over the world. The interesting thing
about the international involvement with the Pierre Fauchard Academy is how we
consistently discover and rediscover that while we practice in different
countries and cultures and speak different languages, the one thing we have in
common that transcends all that is that we are all dentists who care for and
take care of our patients. I will
continue my involvement as much as I am able because it is something that renews
my interests, expands my professional and my personal circle, and, very simply,
it all adds up to creating a part of my life that I really enjoy.
Core Value
What a member benefit it is to get to meet people like our
honorees, this year and every year. They remind us that organized dentistry
isn’t something we have to add to an already overwhelmingly busy life, it is
already in place to support and enhance any aspect of that life we might want
to bring to it. That is something to celebrate, not just during the four days
of the Star of the North, but every day we can.
