Institute for Oral Health

Welcome to 2011 and a new year to support the American Dental Hygienists Association Institute for Oral Health.  As the liaison for the state of Wisconsin I want to take a moment to get you all more familiar with the IOH and its mission and vision.  Together we can make a difference by making contributions that support the work of the IOH including research and scholarships.

Institute Mission

To advance the profession of dental hygiene through scholarships, research and service in collaboration with the American Dental Hygienists' Association.

Institute Goals

1. To support the highest quality research and education programs in order to fulfill the mission of the ADHA Institute for Oral Health.
2.  Build ADHA Institute resources available to support the mission.
3.  Assure the prudent administration of ADHA Institute assets and programs consistent with sound financial, business and scientific management principles.

Institute Vision
Leading the way through professional excellence in dental hygiene education and research.

The Institute of Oral Health website can be directly accessed at www.adha.org/ioh and you can find much more information about the activities of the IOH, scholarship applications, as well as make a contribution through a convenient “click” of your mouse. 

It is my challenge to each of you to make a contribution to the Institute this year – let’s get Wisconsin back on the map with support for the IOH – contributions can be made in various amounts.  For those of you attending WDHA events this year you can COUNT on me giving you an opportunity to make a contribution there as well with fun activities that will keep everyone smiling. 

Thank you in advance for your support. 

Tammy L. Filipiak RDH, MS 
WI IOH Liaison

A message from our District VII Trustee, Louann Goodnough

For those of you who do not know me, I am Louann Goodnough, a RDH in the great state of Minnesota, and your ADHA District VII Trustee.  Our wonderful District includes the membership of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  Last year when I was elected to be your Trustee, one of my election points was to  have good, solid, easy to use communication in the District.  Well, thanks to technology, and a bit of investigative work, I think this is going to be a great avenue to keep us all connected!   

Let me begin by telling you what this e-mail is all about.  It is about you, all members of ADHA District VII.  Please, don't read this and think it doesn't concern me because I am not active on the National or State level.  This is designed for all of us, to get the information we need about our profession, and to break it down to an individual level, based on our District needs.  I am hoping we can also use it for a bit of fun!  The intent is to have this come once a month.  Some months may have more in it than others. 

I encourage you to send me information you would like to share, questions that I can answer or post for general feedback, or comments/suggestions about this format for improvement.

Thank you for your time to take this all in, and WELCOME to the District!

Louann

While on my Constituent (State) visits, I am frequently asked the question, "What do you do?"  I think there is some misconception about the role of a Trustee, and perhaps ADHA itself. 

Simply, my role is to be there for you.  We are all ADHA, and choose to participate within different levels of the organization.  I can help with guidance and direction within all levels of ADHA: component, constituent and national. 

Specifically, there are certain requirements of the Trustee position.  Such as attending ADHA Board of Trustee meetings, the Annual Session, and facilitating a District wide workshop in preparation for the Annual Session. 

 One of the responsibilities I take seriously, is the annual Constituent visit.  This is my opportunity to visit your state, meet members and help YOU!  In the past, I like to joke that this was a visit by your Grandmother.  What do I mean by this?  The Trustee would be invited to the Constituent annual meeting in her pressed dress, pearl necklace and white gloves and bring "greetings" from ADHA.  I can't bring greetings from ADHA, YOU are ADHA!  What I can do is bring help to your Constituent, based on your needs.  Instead of showing up in my pretty dress, I want to come and work with you, in my jeans and work boots if needed.  Leadership development, strategic planning, budgeting, meeting structure or anything else you might be struggling with, that is how I can work for you.

 The position of Trustee is full of fun, networking, and some travel.  Mostly, it is about being your link to the resources available to help you succeed as a member, an Component and a Constituent. 

Quarterly Payment Plan in Action

ADHA is accepting quarterly payments for membership fees for the winter renewal period.

It's now easier than ever to be an ADHA member.  Starting October 1, 2009, a new easy-pay option will be available to anyone paying their ADHA dues.  This electronic payment system will provide a new option to current, former and potential members allowing them to pay in quarterly installments.  "We have heard loud and clear from both members and nonmembers on the benefit of providing a payment plan option," ADHA President Lynn Ramer, LDH.  "ADHA recognizes the economic hardships that are currently affecting not only dental hygiene professionals but the country as a whole and is thrilled to offer this new service to help our members.  ADHA encourages anyone wishing to take advantage of this new offering to visit:  http://payments.adha.org for complete details.

 In addition, this new program offers our members the opportunity to "go green," said Ramer.  "Those members who are enrolled in the quarterly payment plan or sign up for annual automatic renewal will no longer receive a paper billing invoice.  We hope to take the savings from printing and postage costs and use them for programs that are designed to further empower, support and develop our members."

 Any questions should be directed to ADHA Division of Member Services by calling (312) 440-8900 or member.services@adha.com