ADEAGies Foundation Announces Johnson Johnson Healthcare Products, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., and OraPharma Premier Sponsors of William J. Gies Awards for Vision, Innovation, and Achievement

The Gies Awards debuted in 2008 to a sell-out crowd. The 2009 Gies Awards will be held at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona, again in conjunction with the ADEA Annual Session and Exhibition. This year’s black-tie celebration will take place immediately prior to the opening of the ADEA Annual Session, convening March 15-18.

The sponsorship by Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc., and OraPharma, Inc., of the 2009 Gies Awards program is part of the companies’ overall support of ADEAGies Foundation initiatives for advancing our nation’s dental schools.

“The generous support of Johnson & Johnson and OraPharma allows us to sustain the Gies Awards’ emerging tradition of honoring excellence,” said Richard W. Valachovic, D.M.D., M.P.H., President of the ADEAGies Foundation and Executive Director of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). “Recognition for dental and oral health leadership is an important part of the Foundation’s mission.”

“We are honored to continue our support of the ADEAGies Foundation and its critical programs to drive innovation and excellence in dental education, research, and leadership. Recognizing and encouraging visionary dental educators and leaders reflects William J. Gies’s legacy of passion and commitment to excellence in improving oral health,” said Lori D. Kumar, Ph.D, Vice President Oral Healthcare, RD&E, Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products, Division of McNEIL-PPC, Inc.

”OraPharma is proud to support the Gies Award. We recognize the vital importance of dental education to the restoration and maintenance of periodontal health. We look forward to supporting ADEA’s ongoing efforts to ‘raise the bar’ in achieving better diagnosis and treatment, and ultimately better oral health for everyone,” commented Scott Snyder, Executive Director, Marketing, OraPharma, Inc.