FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Recipient photos available upon request
 

WEST ALLIS, WIS., Nov. 21, 2007 – Sheboygan resident and general dentist Dr. Paul Gruber is the 2007 Wisconsin Dental Association Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Gruber was one of 13 individuals and one organization to receive Pyramids of Pride from the 2,900-member statewide dental organization Nov. 9 during a special banquet at the Madison Marriott West hotel in Middleton.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the WDA’s highest honor, recognizing individuals who have given time, energy and expertise to organized dentistry throughout their careers. Gruber has been active in the American Dental Association, WDA and Sheboygan County Dental Society for more than 40 years, including serving as local component president three times. As ADA Ninth District representative to the American Dental Political Action Committee, he spends many hours in Washington, D.C. representing the dental profession.

Gruber, a 1967 Marquette School of Dentistry graduate, is a member of the school’s Advisory Council and a long-time participant in the WDA-MUSOD-Pierre Fauchard Mentor Program. He is respected nationally for his service as district vice regent for the International College of Dentists. Gruber donates care to local Salvation Army and Lakeshore Technical College clinic patients and participates in mission trips to Haiti and Guatemala.

Receiving Community Outreach Awards for exceptional public service that reflects great credit on the dental profession were retired general dentists and brothers Dr. Richard Labinski of Dousman and Dr. Ronald Labinski of New Berlin. The Labinskis have served the community for more than 30 years. While still in practice, they volunteered regularly at St. Joseph Medical and Dental Clinic in Waukesha and participated in mission trips to Guatemala. Since retiring, they have contributed significant hours of service to Madre Angela Dental Clinic on Milwaukee’s south side.

Barb Tylenda, executive director of Racine’s Health Care Network Inc. since 1989, also was recognized for her community outreach efforts. Tylenda was cited for her leadership of the non-profit agency which provides free or low-cost health care to uninsured, low-income Racine County residents. She also has served on numerous health care advisory committees and Racine’s Access to Health Care Task Force. She was the first chair of the Wisconsin Free Clinic Association.

Green Bay WFRV-TV Channel 5 First News co-anchor Lisa Malak and Milwaukee Journal Sentinel editorial writer Jerry Resler received Media Awareness Awards for “demonstrating a commitment to inform and educate the general public about the importance of oral health and dental-related issues in Wisconsin.” Malak developed a weeklong series on today’s modern dental practices. Resler’s April 2007 editorial outlined the newspaper’s support for increasing dental Medicaid reimbursement and the Two Cents for Tooth Sense™ funding proposal in straight forward, factual and balanced language.

Using mass communications to promote the WDA and its mission garnered Media Relations Awards for La Crosse general dentist and resident Dr. John Mueller and Antigo resident and general dentist Dr. Meghan O’Brien. Mueller, an active WDA spokesperson on the dental MA issue, was interviewed twice on Wisconsin Public Radio and initiated meetings with editorial boards at local and regional newspapers. O’Brien regularly contributes articles to the Antigo Daily Journal, helping promote good oral health habits and addressing timely dental issues.

Out of dental school just three years, Cedarburg resident Dr. Barrett Straub received the New Dentist Leadership Award for significant involvement in organized dentistry and demonstrated leadership on new dentist issues. A general dentist in Port Washington, Straub has been chair of the Wisconsin Dental Political Action Committee since 2006 and is involved with other local and state dental efforts.

Retired oral surgeon and Appleton resident Dr. Roger Comeau is this year’s Outstanding Service Award recipient for “exceptional contributions to the advancement of the dental profession.” Comeau has volunteered countless hours to the ADA, WDA and Outagamie Dental Society, including 10 years as WDA treasurer.

Political Action Awards went to Racine pediatric dentist and Kenosha resident Dr. Nicolet De Rose and Dr. Steven Lindstrom, a Sheboygan Falls resident with a general dentistry practice in Howards Grove. De Rose has long worked to educate policy-makers on dental issues and encourages local colleagues to become politically active. She was instrumental in the WDA adopting its Two Cents for Tooth Sense™ dental MA funding proposal based on a soft drink user fee. Lindstrom have been very active in the political action arena, especially in Sheboygan County. He is a dedicated professional who easily communicates one-on-one with legislators, setting a positive, pro-active example for dental colleagues.

Appleton resident Emily Comeau received a President’s Award of Honor for her dedication to organized dentistry through support of her husband and fellow Pyramid of Pride recipient Dr. Roger Comeau who has used a wheelchair throughout most of his career. In addition to helping her husband with his travel needs, she is knowledgeable and insightful on a wide spectrum of dental issues.

State Sen. Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse) accepted a President’s Award of Honor on behalf of the La Crosse Area Dental Care Advocacy Coalition for its emphasis on solving the dental MA access crisis through fair-market reimbursement to existing dental practices. The bi-partisan coalition includes State Rep. Jennifer Schilling (D-La Crosse) along with representatives from local health care, education and political groups and private-practice dentists.

Established in 1870, the WDA is headquartered in West Allis and represents the vast majority of practicing dentists in Wisconsin. Members are committed to promoting professional excellence and quality oral health care. For more information on the WDA, call 414-276-4520 or visit www.wda.org.

CONTACT:                 Carol S. Weber, APR, Director of Public Relations
PHONE:                     414-755-4108
E-MAIL:                     cweber@wda.org