NMDA Journal Summer 2019

nmdental.org 11 Dr. Gherardi has held many positions within organized dentistry. Including: • President of ADDS • President of New Mexico AGD and Chair of Dental Care Programs for AGD • Delegate to the National AGD meeting, and Chair of the Professional Relations Committee • NMDA Annual Convention Chairman four times • NMDA Secretary Treasurer, Vice President, President Elect and President • NMDA delegate to the ADA for nine years • New Mexico Board of Dental Healthcare for eight years as Vice Chairman • Western Regional Dental Board Examiner • Chair of the Operative Exam Design Committee for WREB • Exam development and review for ADEX dental board • ADA Council on Dental Therapeutics—Member and Vice Chair for four years Dr. Gherardi has been honored to receive fellowships in: • The Academy of General Dentistry • The Academy of Dentistry International • The American College of Dentists • The International College of Dentists • The Pierre Fauchard Academy He also has been an adjunct assistant professor at the UNM Dental Hygiene programs in pharmacology and basic sciences, and served a four-year term on the Board of Delta Dental of New Mexico. Robert credits his wife Nancy, with being supportive and tolerant toward the amount of time he has spent on dental related projects. She truly is the basis for his success. Robert and Nancy have two children, Stacy and Joseph and four young grandchildren. He looks forward to years of playing Nonno (Grandfather in Italian). Dr. Gherardi has practiced with Dr. David Moore since 1995; his son Joseph joined their practice in 2014. The office consists of nine op- eratories, five dental hygienists (four at a time) and eight staff. By working expanded hours, there are two dentists working together on any given day and each dentist is able to work a 3-day week. This schedule has prevented burnout, and allows Robert to pursue other interests like farming, raising and racing thoroughbred horses, mak- ing family wine and occasionally fishing. With retirement not in the foreseeable future, Robert is still active and passionate about NMDA. Dr. Gherardi counts working to protect the rights of dentists among his most significant contributions to dentistry. He worked with a small group of dentists during the AIDS scare in the 80s to define the rights and responsibilities of dentists when treating patients with infectious diseases. Working through the ADA this small group influenced infectious disease policy at the ADA, CDC, and even to the Supreme Court. He has introduced and passed many policies at the ADA level, and believes that dentists need to speak up when they see problems affecting the profession. We work hard to become den- tal health professionals and should not relinquish that responsibility to anyone else. Many might describe Robert as “being a little hyperactive.”That is probably true. So, it is fitting that his favorite quote is by another hy- peractive Italian: “It has long come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” —Leonardo DaVinci TOM SCHRIPSEMA I was fortunate to go to a college that really challenged us to change the world. I think it is important to change the world, but it is arrogant to think you know the way. Being honored this way makes me feel a lot like Forrest Gump. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to witness and participate in some great events and projects. I’ve had the opportunity to meet some amazing and talented people. None of it was by design and looking back it all seems kind of unlikely. But each experience led to the next and cumulatively it was a truly fantastic ride. Forrest was exceptional, but not in the ways we usually value. In one sense, life just happened to Forrest, but in another it shows where pursuing one’s passions can take you when not hindered by ambition. In my youth, I really loved to read biographies. Whether it was sports legends, inventors or great leaders, I ate it up. As I got older, I realized that these stories were pretty romanticized. My heroes turned out to be ordinary people with extraordinary talents and plenty of disqualify- ing weaknesses. The inspiration was real even if the stories were a bit fantastic. It wasn’t really the people that were important, it was the innovative ideas, dedication to a cause and relentless work ethic that should be modeled. That is often lost today in our current celebrity- driven values, but I suppose that makes me sound old. I was fortunate to go to a college that really challenged us to change the world. I think it is important to change the world, but it is arrogant to think you know the way. So, like Forrest, I think you take the op- portunities that come your way and make the most of them. I hope I’ve done that and will continue to get new opportunities. Forrest got his fair share of medals and awards. Did he deserve them? Maybe or maybe not, but he sure met some great people, saw some wonderful things and got a fantastic life out of the deal.  continues on page 12 The NMDA Medal of Distinction Award Recipients