Dear Colleagues,

As I write this final message as President of the District of Columbia Dental Society, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to have served you. It has truly been an honor—and one of the most eye-opening experiences of my professional life.

Even after years of serving on the Board, this role has given me a deeper appreciation of just how critical organized dentistry is to our ability to practice, care for our patients, support our teams, and shape the future of our profession. The advocacy, relationships, and behind-the-scenes work that happen here at the local and national levels matter more than many of us realize until we are in the room where those conversations occur.

One lesson I will carry with me is this: if we do not advocate for ourselves and our profession, no one else will. Our collective voice is only as strong as our participation. I encourage each of you to engage your friends and colleagues—invite them to meetings, encourage involvement, and remind them that membership is not just about CE, but about protecting and advancing the profession we all care so deeply about.

As we close this chapter, I hope you will join us for our Annual Awards Dinner on Monday, January 26, held at DCDS Headquarters. It will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our colleagues, reflect on the year behind us, and look ahead together.

I am also incredibly happy to be passing the gavel to the absolutely outstanding Dr. Kim Menhinick. Her leadership, thoughtfulness, and dedication to dentistry in the District are exceptional, and I have every confidence that DCDS is in the very best hands.

With gratitude,