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Vision Statement
| To advance and secure the profession of dental hygiene and to improve and protect the publics' total health.
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Goals
- To advocate quality oral healthcare access and delivery.
- To provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.
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Objectives
- Develop and maintain initiatives to support and mentor Ohio dental hygienists and students.
- Provide networking opportunities to address professional issues.
- Expand our legislative focus and involvement.
- Promote full utilization of dental hygienists in all practice settings.
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Presidential Address
Thank you all for sharing this long awaited special time with me; it’s an honor to be your new President. I would first like to congratulate all of the newly elected ODHA Officers, Trustees and ADHA Delegates. Thank you for your commitment and congratulations! This is going to be another great year for ODHA!
Looking around the room at Annual Session, I was excited to see all of the people in my life who have supported and encouraged me. First my family, my husband Bob and my son Dustin, without their understanding and support I could not have this special moment. Second, my component whom have always stood beside me offering encouragement and extending a helping hand anytime I asked. Third, Dr. Madeleine Haggerty, Dr Haggerty not only encouraged me during my days as a dental hygiene student but also has continued to be a source of encouragement in each new challenge I have taken on. Fourth, my ODHA friends; Katie Camp, Denise Bowers, Sue Rose, Linda Hewetson, Gretchen Matty, Anne Henry, Cheryl and Mary Herrmann, all of these people pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and take on new challenges within ODHA, and maybe without knowing it they were shining examples of outstanding ODHA leadership. Finally, my parents because of their love and constant encouragement throughout my entire life I surely would not be here in this moment. My Mom passed way in April of 2006 and my Dad suddenly in May of this year and even though they are not physically here to share this day, they are with me in spirit. They instilled in me this bible scripture Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. Thank you Mom and Dad for everything!
As I reflected on the history of all of those who have lead this association, the Ladies and Gentleman that came before me, I was humbled and very inspired. Each Past President brought their own individual talents to this office but they all had one thing in common, their dedication and enthusiasm for this Association and for the profession of dental hygiene. They all wanted to “Inspire the Desire to Live the Change”. I choose this theme, “Inspire the Desire to Live the Change”, because my first goal as ODHA president is to inspire others to want to be involved. I want to utilize all of our members; new members, recent graduates, student members, and inactive members who have not been active in ODHA. Rather than asking our currently active members to assume even more responsibility, we need to utilize all of our membership, offering each member an entry level position, so that they will learn more about ODHA and see the process of how we make progress. I feel that this process will mentor more leaders in the various offices and Council positions that ODHA has. Student members, I would like to address you, you are our future and our future depends on you. You may be in a different phase of your dental hygiene career but rest a sure you are vital to the success of the ODHA. Your presence at annual session inspires all of us. The passion you demonstrate during your Student House of Delegates and your quest for knowledge during Table Clinics shows your aspiration to “Inspire the Desire to Live the Change”. Your participation during annual session and at all ODHA events is critical for the future of dental hygiene in Ohio.
My second goal is to improve member retention. How can we better retain our membership? What can we do to still encourage those members who may not be practicing dental hygiene or may not be active in ODHA anymore to rekindle that desire to be a member of their professional association? I would like to see us get to the point where membership is not a choice but a given. Back in 1998, then President Denise Bowers, started a mentoring program where new graduates and new members were asked to serve as Co-Chairs of various ODHA Councils. I intend to see that utilized again. I believe the key to a successful association is member involvement. Once members become involved they will see first hand the excitement of making a positive impact in their profession and truly understand the importance of their involvement.
You may be asking yourself “How can I Inspire the Desire to Live the Change?” What do I need to do? It is simple really…. by your words and actions toward fellow dental hygienists you can make an enormous impact. I am proof of this. It is because of the constant encouragement and inspiration I received from my family, my component and ODHA that I stand here today. I wanted to inspire in you the Desire to Live the Change.
Once you become involved in ODHA and you see all that is happening with dental hygiene in Ohio and our legislative accomplishments; general supervision, local anesthesia, more dental hygienist representation on the Ohio State Dental Board, and [in the not so distant future] a collaborative agreement between a dental hygienist and a dentist thereby increasing access to care. You do not just want to witness all that is happening around you, you want to live it, be apart of it, you want to “Inspire the Desire to Live the Change”. I have chosen a butterfly to represent my theme. Just as a caterpillar struggles from its cocoon, seeking change, once it emerges it is a beautiful free butterfly. We, as Dental hygienists, have struggled seeking change but we have emerged strong, confident and ready to soar!!
Thank you all and may God richly bless you!
Suzy Savanick
ODHA President
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Copyright © 2007, Ohio Dental Hygienists' Association, Inc.
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