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Awards

Awards Summary Table

Past Award Winners

PRESIDENTIAL ORAL HEALTH HEROES AWARD

• 2011 Winner
  • The Florida Dental Hygiene Association is pleased to announce the winner of the 2011 Oral Health Hero Award. All applications were reviewed by a committee. Dr. Frank Catalanotto was nominated, selected and then ratified by the Board of Trustees.
  • The Oral Health Hero Award is a new award that was established for the purpose of recognizing an individual that has made a significant contribution to oral health in Florida. Dr. Frank Catalanotto has made significant contributions in this past year with the Early Childhood Caries program, increasing the number of medical practitioners who have been trained to perform an oral assessment; apply fluoride varnish; give anticipatory guidance; and attempt to find a dental home for many children across the state who have little or no access to oral health care. He has been a staunch supporter of the mission and vision of the Florida Dental Hygiene Association at both the State and National levels, promoting access to oral health care.
  • Dr. Catalanotto has obtained two grants that will help inform policy decisions at the state level to promote greater dentist and physician participation in the Early Childhood Caries prevention program.
  • Please join me at our annual symposium as we bestow the first Oral Health Hero Award to Dr. Frank Catalanotto. Congratulations, Dr. Catalanotto!
  • We would also like to recognize Mr. Guy Spearman with an honorable mention. Mr. Spearman has been active in his local community with oral health issues.
  • We encourage anyone interested in oral health to form/join a local oral health coalition to improve the oral health of all in our communities!
• PURPOSE - To recognize an individual, other than a dental hygienist, who has contributed towards advancing the mission and goal of FDHA by increasing the awareness of oral health in Florida and advocating the public's access to quality oral health care.
• CRITERIA
  1. To qualify for this award the individual must be someone other than a dental hygienist, who has contributed substantially towards advancing preventive oral health. The individual should be someone who has made collaborative efforts towards our association reaching our goals as being the leaders in preventive oral health.
  2. Nominations can be submitted by FDHA members or non-members. Individuals outside of FDHA may nominate someone.
  3. Submission must be made electronically to the President of FDHA by midnight June 30th.
  4. Nominations must include the name of the nominee, their phone number, email, and mailing address, as well as the name, email and phone number of the person who is nominating this individual.
  5. Nominations must include a description of the activities undertaken within the preceding year (365 days) before the award submission deadline that qualifies the individual to receive the Oral Health Heroes Award.
  6. Submit the nomination in paragraph form, single spaced, and approximately 2 pages in length.
  7. Please do NOT include a photograph of the individual.
• SELECTION
  1. A committee comprised of the President, President-Elect, and Chair of the Council on Membership will make the selection.
  2. Final approval will be made by the FDHA Board of Trustees.
  3. The announcement of the winner will be posted on the FDHA website by August 15th.
• PRESENTATION OF AWARD
  1. The winner of the "Oral Health HeroPresidential Oral Health Heroes Award award will be honored at the President's Luncheon during annual session, and will receive a certificate or a plaque.
  2. The Executive Director shall work with the President to either prepare the award certificates for presentation or purchase a plaque.
• DEADLINE JUNE 30, 2011
• Presidential Oral Health Heroes Award
• Contact Person: TBD

THE COMPONENT OUTSTANDING MEMBER AWARD

The winners of the 2010 Component Outstanding Member Award are:

• Carmen Adame, RDH (Brevard County Dental Hygiene Association)
• AnnMarie Ivanoff, RDH (Broward County Dental Hygiene Association)
• Elizabeth (Kae) Sylvia, RDH (Greater Orlando Dental Hygiene Association)
• Meleste (Mel) Warren, RDH (Manatee Sarasota Dental Hygiene Association)
• Susan Jacobsen, RDH (Northeast District Dental Hygiene Association)
• Erin Wieschowski, RDH (Registered Dental Hygienists of Collier County)

• PURPOSE - To recognize an individual from the Component for his/her commitment, dedication, and service to the local component.
• CRITERIA
  1. Member of ADHA
  2. The recipient should not hold a current FDHA office.
  3. Component officers are eligible for this award including FDHA delegates.
  4. Each component will establish the qualifications necessary for certificate representation, (Example: a long-time member who, whenever asked to work for and support the organization, of any other criteria you wish to establish and consider, does so willingly).
  5. Each component will establish the method of selection either by their executive committee or by the membership at large.
  6. The component should encourage each recipient of the award to attend and accept their award in person at the Florida Dental Hygiene Symposium.
• SELECTION
  1. Any member of the local component can submit a name for consideration.
  2. Each component must notify Council on Membership (COM) Chair of their selection by June 30th.
• DEADLINE JUNE 30, 2011
• Component Outstanding Member Award:
• Contact Person: Hazel Kerr

FDHA DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

The winner of the 2010 Distinguished Service Award is Paula Schad, RDH .

• PURPOSE - This award is presented to individuals who have contributed outstanding services in the field of Dental Hygiene in Florida.
• CRITERIA
  1. Length and quality of service to FDHA including local, district and national levels.
  2. Length and quality of practice in Florida.
  3. Accomplishments.
  4. Offices held (local, district, national).
  5. Continued dedication and commitment to FDHA and to the profession of dental hygiene.
  6. Must be a voting member of FDHA/ADHA.
• SELECTION
  1. Any member of FDHA may submit a name for consideration.
  2. The completed application form must be returned to the Chair (contact person) by June 30th.
• DEADLINE JUNE 30, 2011
• FDHA Distinguished Service Award
• Contact Person: Paula Schad, RDH

Click Here for the Distinguished Service Award Form

SWANN D. KNOWLES ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

The winner of the 2009 Swann D. Knowles Award is Kerri Cook, BSDH, CDHC (2010 award not given)

• PURPOSE - To identify grassroots members who have contributed to the profession of Dental Hygiene through service and dedication to component and/or state activities in the previous year.
• GUIDELINES
  1. Must be an active, voting member of component and state organizations.
  2. Achievements are to include only those in the past year between FDHA annual symposiums
  3. Candidate may be employed in any area of dental hygiene.
  4. Consideration should not include present FDHA officers, ex-officio officers or current Board of Dentistry members.
  5. According to FDHA Bylaws, Article IV, Sections 1 and 2, officers are defined as Line Officers, District Trustees, ADHA Delegates and Alternate Delegates, Liaisons to the Florida Board of Dentistry, Speaker of the House of Delegates and Editor. Ex-officio Officers include the Executive Director, Lobbyist and the ADHA District IV Trustee.
• CRITERIA FOR SELECTION (Show dates of specific achievements)
  1. Service to others. This includes the ability and willingness to:
     • Serve the needs of the patient as a total person.
     • Fulfill responsibilities to an employer and/or excel in a supervisory capacity.
     • Be of service of those alongside he/she works.
     • Share professional talents with the community.
     • Show interest in the concerns and challenges confronting dentistry.
  2. Interest in continued growth and self improvement both personally and professionally. This may include, but is certainly not limited to, or mandatory:
     • Continuing education, formal and informal, in excess of that required by law.
     • Certification in expanded duties.
     • Community involvement, dental and non-dental.
  3. Dedication to and enthusiasm for the profession of Dental Hygiene. This may include, but is certainly not limited to, or mandatory:
     • FDHA involvement at any level.
     • Promoting the career of Dental Hygiene.
     • Papers, lectures or clinics given.
     • Interest in Board of Dentistry activities.
• SELECTION - Each component may submit at its meeting the name of a member to be considered for this award. During the meeting, the members present will select the name of one person to be submitted to the chair (contact person) by June 30th. The name of the candidate, along with a detailed description of achievements, a nominating letter from another dental hygienist, and a letter of recommendation from a co-worker or patient, shall be submitted in copies of FIVE to the chairperson of this committee for consideration by the entire committee.
• AWARD - One year state & local dues to FDHA, a wall plaque with a suitable inscription, and a pin to be presented by the committee chairperson at the annual symposium.
• DEADLINE JUNE 30, 2011
• FDHA Swann D. Knowles Award
• Contact Person: Jo Ann Weatherwax

YVETTE BLUM MENTOR AWARD

The winner of the 2010 Yvette Blum Mentor Award is Susan Halil, RDH

• PURPOSE - To recognize a dental hygienist for their outstanding devotion as a mentor to fellow dental hygienists during their career as a dental hygienist
• CRITERIA - The nominee consistently:
  1. Lends support to student hygienists
  2. Mentors hygienists to become members in ADHA/FDHA
  3. Encourages member hygienists to become active in component activities by serving on committees, as officers or as delegates
  4. Educates hygienists of legislative issues that impact the profession
  5. Supports hygienists to become active in FDHA on the state level
  6. Maintains an open door policy on helping fellow hygienists
• SELECTION:
  1. Nominator and nominee must be active members of ADHA/FDHA as stated in Article III, Section 2, A in the bylaws.
  2. Except previous recipients, any FDHA active member is eligible to receive this award.
  3. Nominators must submit a letter addressing the abovementioned criteria to the Chair (contact person) by June 30 each year.
• DEADLINE JUNE 30, 2011
• FDHA Yvette Blum Mentor Award
• Contact Person: Susan Halil

FUTURE LEADER AWARD

The winner of the 2010 FSADHA Participation Award is Susan Francos. Name change will be effective 2011.

• PURPOSE - This award is designed to increase interest in membership. The amount of the award is one year ADHA membership and will be presented at the Florida Dental Hygiene Symposium. It will be awarded to a deserving FSADHA student who is interested in maintaining their involvement with ADHA and FDHA.
• CRITERIA - The student you select should meet the following criteria:
  1. FSADHA member and Student member of ADHA
  2. Must be a final year student planning to take the Florida Dental Hygiene Board
  3. Quality of service to the student organization on the local, state and/or national level.
  4. Represent the Student organization in a professional manner
  5. Community involvement and service to others (Dental or Non-Dental)
  6. Interest in continued professional growth with FDHA and ADHA
  7. Enthusiastic about the profession of Dental Hygiene
  8. Acts in a professional manner with faculty and other students
  9. Agrees to serve as a member of the FSADHA Committee (state level) for one year if chosen as the winner of the award.

  If you know a student who meets the above criteria, write to us and tell us why you think they are deserving of this award. Letters should be sent to Chairman of the Council on Membership.

  Submit letters of recommendation and application to the Council on Membership Chair by June 30.

• AWARD:
  1. Framed certificate
  2. One year ADHA/FDHA dues
• DEADLINE JUNE 30, 2011
• Contact Person: :