WDA President's Gala (formerly the Pyramid of Pride Awards dinner)

WDA President's Gala

The Pyramid of Pride Awards, held annually during the WDA House of Delegates, will have a new format and a new name for 2024 - the WDA President's Gala on Friday, November 8, 2024. This event will be reimagined with special entertainment, to celebrate the WDA's accomplishments, the outgoing WDA President and congratulate member dentists and friends of dentistry through our annual awards program. 

President's Reception 6:30 p.m.

President's Gala 7:30 p.m.

The Lismore Hotel
333 Gibson St.
Eau Claire, WI 54701

 When making reservations, mention the Wisconsin Dental Association (WDA) to obtain the room block rate of $159 per night for standard room (plus taxes). Reserve via phone at 1-715-835-8888, option 0 & referencing the three-letter group code WDA. You can also book directly online. Check in: 4 p.m. / Check out: 11 a.m. Deadline for WDA room rate is Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024. 

Parking is free.

 

 

Sponsors

Old National Bank logo

WDA Awards overview

The WDA Awards (formerly the Pyramid of Pride Awards) are given annually to member dentists, organizations and others who have demonstrated exemplary commitment, service and achievement in regard to dentistry and the oral health of Wisconsin residents. Awards are presented at a special dinner in conjunction with the WDA House of Delegates every fall. 

Judging of all awards, with the exception of the WDA Foundation Philanthropic Award, is done by the WDA Board of Trustees. The WDA Foundation Philanthropic Award is selected by the WDA Foundation Executive Committee.

All nominations must include a completed nomination form and a letter from the nominator indicating how the nominee meets the criteria and why they should be considered for the award. In addition, nominations for the Lifetime Achievement Award must include a current curriculum vitae. A dentist nominated in any of the award categories must be an American Dental Association member in good standing.

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Current & past award recipients

The WDA honored 16 award recipients during the WDA House of Delegates at a special dinner Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 at the Marriott West in Middleton.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dr. Cliff Hartmann (New Berlin)

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AWARD
Dr. Lakisha Arif-Holmes (Wauwatosa)
Dr. Jeffrey Champion (Waupun)
Dr. David Gundersen (Fitchburg)
Ian Hedges (Beloit)
Dr. Thomas Nockerts (Green Bay)

FRIENDS OF DENTISTRY
Richard and Micky Wilde (Denmark)

MEDIA AWARENESS AWARD
NewsChannel 7 WSAW-TV (Wausau)

COMMUNICATIONS AWARD
Dr. Jay Banez (Delavan/Whitewater)
Dr. Eric Childs (Manitowoc)

NEW DENTIST LEADERSHIP AWARD
Dr. Emily Eckdahl (Brookfield)

OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP IN MENTORING AWARD
Dr. Kenneth Geiger (Sheboygan)

WDA AWARD OF HONOR
Nan Dreves, RDH, MBA (La Crosse)
Pam Entorf, RDH (Eau Claire)
Dr. Rick Mueller (Hales Corners)

WDA FOUNDATION PHILANTHROPIC AWARD
Lani Becker (Colgate)

Congratulations to all recipients!

Click here to see a history of recipients

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WDA Award categories

The WDA presents awards in 10 categories with one recipient in each:

  • Lifetime Achievement 
  • Communications
  • Community Outreach 
  • Friends of Dentistry 
  • Media Awareness 
  • New Dentist Leadership 
  • Outstanding Leadership in Mentoring 
  • Political Action 
  • WDA Award of Honor 
  • WDA Foundation Philanthropic (selected by the WDA Foundation Executive Committee)

Award descriptions and criteria

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Nominate a colleague

Nominations for a deserving dentist, organization or friend(s) of dentistry are accepted throughout the year. To qualify for that year’s program, nominations must be submitted by July 15. For any questions, please contact Amy Bastic at abastic@wda.org.