Presidential Address, Fall 2010
Angela Demko, ODHA President

I thank all of you for your support and confidence that you have placed in me. It is truly my honor and privilege to serve you as your president of the Ohio Dental Hygienists' Association. My intense level of motivation, dedication and commitment will help me achieve my goals for this association and for all the dental hygienists in Ohio.

Throughout my year as president elect I have had some challenges as well as some great opportunities of serving with my colleagues. As I reflect upon these past 12 months, I realize the importance of learning from what you experience. I have a clear perception of our vision, goals and values. I am disciplined, my priorities are set and I will make good decisions that I will stand behind. I believe if our behavior is consistent and in line with our vision we will make a positive impact on others therefore allowing us to accomplish our goals. I have already begun dramatic and decisive actions with my participation and representation so we can move this association forward. We must focus on defining and maximizing on every opportunity that we can for achieving professional growth. Although, at times when challenges arise it does become a struggle but we do try to maintain our high standards of integrity.

Now, I must thank my predecessor, Jeanne Huber. If it weren't for Jeanne, I wouldn't be up here today. She was the one who "ignited my fire" when she announced her vision of "Welcome" and that she wanted to create an association that "lives and breathes with a new found welcoming spirit." That did it for me! I knew it at that very moment it was time for me to come out of my comfort zone, step up and run for president! I wanted to be a part of her vision and continue with our efforts already in progress. Jeanne, I thank you for igniting my fire, for your hard work, time and effort this year!

Next, I want to share with all of you certain individuals in my life who have supported and mentored me.

First, my father, Zig. I had the coolest dad growing up and all my friends always told me that! We had the hang out house and he took us everywhere. Ice skating, roller-skating and concerts. My dad used to be a policeman for the Hinckley police department and the old coliseum so he'd get tickets for -almost anything- we wanted. I was always a country girl growing up and still am! The person I am today is because of the way I was raised. Looking back to my childhood and growing up in a Polish household, certain things stand out. The foods, cabbage aging in crocks, sauerkraut, kielbasa and dumplings, stuffed cabbage but most of all I remember 3 things my dad repetitively instilled in us,

1. Don'’t lie and don't ever lie to me!
2. Be a leader, not a follower
3. You're a Kosmowski and you can do whatever you want and be whatever you want.

Today, this is how I live my life.

Also, I need to thank my stepmother, Anita. She's the glue that keeps our family together! And because of the dental profession I found her! Her and her 2 children were patients at Mario's office.

With much persuading and encouraging, I set her up with my dad and shortly after the rest was history ... 6 months later they told us kids that they wanted to get married. I could not have picked anyone better for my dad. It's been 9 years and I can say I love her more today and would choose her again.

Next, my friend and the father of my children, Mario. I need to thank him because he is the one who encouraged me to get more involved with the hygiene association. And also, for cutting your vacation short so you and the kids could be present today.

Now I want to introduce to all of you my three precious gems of life! Julianna, Matt and Nick. Some of you know Julianna. I try to bring her along as much as I can. She actually helped me do my 1st Power Point presentation for ODHA, hooked me up to Facebook and made me these beautiful picture boards for today. She's my basketball and volleyball star. Her team just won 2nd place champs 7th grade CYO! Matt, he's the quiet one and also a basketball star! He loves Playstation 3 games and he wants a 50 inch flat screen for his bedroom for Christmas. Nick, he's everything and anything you can imagine. He's extremely athletic, very tough, a social bug, a comedian, straight a student and so on.

Jared, thank you for allowing me to devote a great deal of my time to doing what I love. Your support means a lot!

Ok, moving along. I'd need to acknowledge my component, Cleveland, if you would all stand. Thank you all for being here and being a part of planning this lovely lunch party, I will always remember how perfect this all is and beautiful this room is! You have all supported me a great deal throughout the year and I truly thank all of you!

There are a few individuals that I need to acknowledge. First, sandy, she has brought me up from birth. She was my first mentor, taught me a lot of what I know today and I am so grateful to have her as my friend. The members of this association know how extraordinary she is. Her commitment to this association, her dedication and talents. So many times I have called her last minute for advice and printing projects. She always says, "yes I can get that done"! I know that I can always count on her. Thank you for your mentoring, guidance and friendship throughout the years!

I have held every office and worked on all committees in Cleveland except for one, treasurer. Hmmm, maybe she saw no leadership abilities there. Thank heaven because that would have been a disaster.

Mark, when I was creating my ODHA logo, I kept you in mind. CVL and annual session wouldn't be the same without you, thank you for all the great times! You and Clifford will always be "our golden nuggets".

Terri, my car pool buddy. To all the thousands of miles we put on this year, all the money we spent at Starbucks and all the reds that we corked. We had some great times and I thank you for your friendship!

Madeleine, I met her through Patti years ago and we became the best of friends. In Cleveland, I nicknamed our crew "the ghetto girls', well Madeleine thought this was horrible! So that's when she came up with "hygiene homies" she tells everyone, her students, friends, family, no matter where we are or where we go that we are her "hygiene homies"!

Shannon, one of my dearest friends of life! At times I'd swear we were born from the same womb because we are so alike. Many of you know her through Biotene/Laclede and her many years of speaking on dry mouth. She now is with GSK and her new course is "the mysterious mole".

She has educated us and has been one of our greatest supporters for ODHA's annual session the last few years. She is president elect of Cleveland and she is also my Perio symposium coordinator. Shannon is one of my friends I always seem to be thanking. She used to work for Dr. Davidson for many years and she was the one who got me into the office. I still thank her for my job and I'm sure she's tired of it already! I am so grateful to have her as one of my dearest friends.

Dr. Davidson Maddie, What else can I say that hasn't already been said?

Everyday I learn something new from you whether it's during an exam, a consult, or reading a 3d scan.

Two months ago when I was at California dental society meeting I was involved in a roundtable discussion and one of the questions was, "What makes a good office?" I immediately knew what my answer would be! And I couldn't wait for my turn to speak. Is it the office itself? The building? The equipment? The workers? Salary and benefits? For me it's the Dr., his ability to lead 12 women, his philosophy, his vision and mission for his office, employees and his patients.

As for his wife Maddie, she is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside! Maddie is currently taking prerequisites for dental hygiene at Cuyahoga Community College so hopefully in the near future she will be one of our colleagues.

Patti… Patti is my longest friend of life and my cheerleader of life. I made something special for her. Usually she is the one to make a sentimental gift. So I wracked my brain for months to make her something special. I hope she likes it.

Anne ... and Denise... My idols ... some of us my have photos on our refrigerators of people who we want to look like ... like the perfect body. I have them on my fridge wanting and hoping my speaking abilities and leadership skills develop like theirs have.

Anne ... you're my number one mentor.

Denise...
Thank you for all the years of encouragement and friendship. I met Denise at leadership retreat years ago when it was at camp Cotubic. It was the year she was president and my first impression was ooh my what an incredible lady. We were all going to town for dinner/drinks and her and Linda were driving together. They offered me a ride! Wow! So of course I said yes. My whole point with this story is, I was young, a newbie to ODHA, I felt extremely intimidated and her and Linda were friendly, warm and inviting! They made me feel welcome and a part of the group. This right here is the key- people always will remember they way that you make them feel. To this day I always acknowledge new comers and I make a point to help them feel welcomed!

Thank you Denise,I love you!

In preparing for my year as president, I did some deep soul searching. I asked myself several questions.

• What does ODHA mean to me?
• Why do I want to be president?
• Can I really do this?
• And do I have time?

ODHA is a special group of individuals with a common vision. It is my second family. I broke up the letters in family to convey my thoughts:

F - f is for family and friendships, I have gained the strongest family and friendships through this profession
A-a is for attitude, I believe this speaks for itself, it needs to be a-plus
M-m is for members-we are nothing without our members and we need more
I-I is for image of integrity
L-l is for leadership
Y-why is this all important??

It is all important because this is my foundation and my desire to build on all of these components

Why do I want to be president?

• Mainly because I am passionate about this profession. I truly believe there is no stronger feeling in life than a "love". I believe that love is the strongest motivator. It will empower you and lead you to do some astounding things.
• This association has helped me be all that I can be. It has supported, developed and empowered me and I want to give back to this profession which has provided me with so much
• I also want to continue advancing our profession as well as protecting it!
• I feel it is my time. I have spent the last 15 years working my way up through the ranks of CDHA and ODHA, I have sat through and lead board meetings, planned and organized CE events, I've mingled with hygienists and I've truly become a listener and absorbed what is going on. I know what works and what doesn't. I have attended the last 5 ADHA annual sessions been completely engaged as an alternate, a delegate and a page. I have been seeping with enthusiasm every year I return from ADHA. My vision and goals are in line with ADHA. I've been supportive of our national presidents and have streamlined information from ADHA to our constituents. Serving as vice president for 2 years has allowed me the opportunity to present the results of the branding campaign and how Ohio will support ADHA's investment. I believe in their findings and I have implemented them into my goals as your president. I have action plans and a vision for this upcoming year that I hope we create some great results. I want to try my ideas now! I have years of experience which has increased my knowledge; I have excellent role models, as well as 12 dental hygiene program directors and 18 component presidents which I will utilize this year. As always, I have my executive council and the BOT!
• Another reason I want to be president is because I want to create a high level of awareness. To communicate well with other organizations and within the dental hygiene community.
• Lastly, I want to do this because I want to instill in my children the same as my father did for me
• Be a leader, not a follower
• You can do whatever you want and be whatever you want
• And that we need to make sacrifices in life at times and it does become difficult at times to make choices. Many times we need to do what we have to first, and do things we want to second!

Can I really do this? Yes! I will

Do I have time? Probably not as much as I want but I will manage my time as best as I can. (on my work days I can utilize my lunch hours, in between patients and down time I will spend on the phone and on the computer) ha ha ha!

No, I want this year to be a success. I am ready for the challenges ahead and I am 100% committed!

My focus for the year ahead will be to

1. Saturate myself and this association everywhere possible. We need to be more inclusive of all dental hygienists.
2. Embracing Ohio's student population, including the first year's students. (as ADHA has requested) this way I will have 2 years to instill value, awareness, hopefully igniting their passion. Engaging them in a questionnaire that will help open a discussion of, "What our association is all about and how we help all dental hygienists". I will share with them how ADHA has improved the quality of my career and my life!
   
   In return they will know the benefits and the opportunities that this association offers. They will also realize that we can help them continue to be excellent hygienists throughout their careers. Hopefully, they will realize the benefits are priceless and choose to belong!
3. Last, that ODHA and it's members will work in partnerships with dentists and the Ohio state dental board on the September 18th, 2010 Perio Symposium in Cleveland. It will be a program designed for the Dr. and hygienist. The speakers are a husband and wife team. He is a periodontist and a past president of the American academy of Periodontology, she is a hygienist. It will be one day of awareness, education and team building. A one day event and one year of planning and relationship building!


In closing, I will spend my year portraying an image that is inviting to all dental professionals. I will ensure that all dental hygienists believe that have a home with the association and that we are their "ODHA family". I will follow the advice of my father, to be a strong leader and to be an assertive voice for this association. We have all been given the privilege to practice dental hygiene and we *are * obligated to continue training, hold to high work ethics and have good character.

I thank each and every one of you here today. I am so blessed to have you all in my life.

Congratulations to our newly elected executive members and the board of trustees. I look forward to a rigorous and rewarding year ahead!