WDA President's Gala featuring the Dental Excellence Awards
The 2026 WDA President's Gala, held annually during the WDA House of Delegates, will be on Friday, November 13, 2026.
Join us for an evening celebrating the Association’s success and congratulating member dentists, organizations and friends of dentistry through the WDA Dental Excellence Awards.
Everyone who supports dentistry in Wisconsin is welcome and encouraged to attend. Bring your team, family and friends!
Friday, November 13, 2026
Brookfield Conference Center, Brookfield, Wisconsin
Cocktail attire
Location & Hotel Information
Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee
Brookfield Conference Center
265 South Moorland Road
Brookfield, WI 53005
Room block expires: Oct. 12 or until it's filled
Sponsors
Sponsor information is available upon request!
WDA Dental Excellence Awards overview
The WDA Dental Excellence 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 9 award recipients during the WDA House of Delegates at a special dinner Friday, Nov. 14, 2025 at the Hilton Paper Valley in Appleton.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Dr. Paula Crum (Green Bay)
COMMUNITY OUTREACH AWARD
Dr. Eileen Studders (Green Bay)
FRIENDS OF DENTISTRY
J.J. Keller Foundation, Inc.
COMMUNICATIONS AWARD
Dr. Tom Reid (Madison)
MEDIA RELATIONS AWARD
Wisconsin Health News
NEW DENTIST LEADERSHIP AWARD
Dr. Maryann Forsell (Neillsville)
OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP IN MENTORING AWARD
Dr. Patrick Tepe (Dodgeville)
POLITICAL ACTION AWARD
Dr. Chris Hansen (Manitowoc)
WDA AWARD OF HONOR
Dr. Russell Dunkel (Madison)
WDA FOUNDATION PHILANTHROPIC AWARD
Dr. Robb Warren (Madison)
Congratulations to all recipients!
WDA Dental Excellence 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)
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 Christine Jacobs at cjacobs@wda.org.
Nominations are open for the 2026 Dental Excellence Awards program.
