American Dental Association Bestows Honorary Memberships

American Dental Association Bestows Honorary Memberships

Alice DeForest, Nancy Kelly recognized at ADA Annual Session in San Francisco

CHICAGO, Oct. 29, 2012 — The American Dental Association (ADA) Board of Trustees has recognized the work of two health association executives with ties to dentistry by awarding them with honorary ADA membership. Alice DeForest, immediate past executive director of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), and Nancy Kelly, executive director of Health Volunteers Overseas, were honored Oct. 22 during the ADA Annual Session and World Marketplace Exhibition in San Francisco. Their honor was in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the advancement of the art and science of dentistry.

DeForest earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Trinity College in Washington, D.C., and a master’s in sociology from Tufts University in Medford, Mass. She joined the ADA’s staff in 1976 as a coordinator for advanced education for the Council on Dental Education (CDE) and the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). She also served as director for advanced education, assistant secretary and associate secretary for CDE/CODA before becoming AAP’s executive director in 1986. She retired early this month.

“Mrs. DeForest’s tenure at the Academy has been distinguished by an unwavering commitment to advancing the field of periodontics by fostering collaboration between the practicing and research communities,” said Pamela K. McClain, D.D.S., AAP immediate past president.

Kelly has a bachelor’s degree in Asian history from the University of Virginia and a master’s of health science from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She volunteered for the U.S. Peace Corps in Korea from 1979-81, then worked as a public policy intern, program assistant and program coordinator for the National Council for International Health (now the Global Health Council).. Kelly has led Health Volunteers Overseas since it was founded in 1987.

“Nancy has been and continues to be an innovative thinker for global health and in particular, sensitive to the needs of dental patients and dentists in the developing world,” said Charles H. Norman III, D.D.S., ADA president-elect. “She has worked for dentistry across specialties, in multiple countries and through varied agencies. Nancy’s steadfastness to helping those in need makes her an exemplary individual and an ideal candidate for ADA honorary membership.”

Editor’s Note: Reporters are invited to follow ADA on Twitter@AmerDentalAssn