NMDA Journal Winter 2020-21

nmdental.org 23 The Spear Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona holds an annual Sum- mit in which one clini- cian is awarded the Rick Canady Award. A year prior to the Sum- mit, Spear Education receives dozens of nominations and a select committee begins the process of choosing a deserving clini- cian. The clinician selected displays Dr. Canady’s passion for dental education and commitment to serving as a leader among their peers. Dr. Rick Canady was very involvedwith Spear and became the first gen- eral practitioner to lead a Spear Study Club that previously had only been specialist-lead. Hementored several dentists in cosmetic, restor- ative, and preventative dentistry. Dr. Canady passed away at the age of 56—he had been diagnosedwith Stage 4 colon cancer the year before. In honor of his memory, Spear created the Rick Canady Award and dedi- cated a campus lecture room in his name. At the 2020 Spear Summit, Dr. Brian Dennis of Albuquerque was pre- sentedwith this prestigious award. As a Canady Award recipient, Dr. Dennis is given the opportunity to present a fellowdentist with a seat in Spear’s “Facially Generated Treatment Planning” workshop and amem- bership to Spear Online. This opportunity is in spirit of Dr. Canady’s pas- sion for sharing great dentistry. Dr. Dennis is the only American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) accreditedmember in Albuquerque. His mission is to help people become healthier. Dr. Dennis states, “What I ammost passionate about is helping peoplemake choices for themselves to be free of dental dis- ease, to feel better, and to look better. Every person is a unique individual andwants to be treated as such, sowemust try to understand them, their beliefs, and their values sowe can truly serve them.” Dr. Dennis completed his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree and Advanced General Dentistry Residency from the University of Minnesota. He is the Director of the High Desert Dental Colloquium, a Spear Study Club. He is also a visiting facultymember at Spear Education. Dr. Dennis also participates in several programs that focus on improving commu- nitymembers’ lives. Such programs are: Give Back a Smile Program, AACD Charitable Foundation, OpenWide Foundation, Give Kids a Smile, Mission of Mercy, Albuquerque’s Healthcare for the Homeless, and Albu- querque Chapter of the Active 20–30. As anyone can see, the Canady Award is well deserved by Dr. Dennis. Congratulations! Dr. Brian Dennis Awarded the Rick Canady Award Introducing Our New Director of Membership & Member Services As the Director of Membership and Member Ser- vices, Susan Pate is the newest staff member of the NMDA. She began her new role in August, after fourteen years as office manager for a private dental practice. She is an essential component of our NMDA 2.0 plan. Susan has been in New Mexico since 1997, and she may be a familiar face to many of you. She has worked with NMDA in the past, initially joining the New Mexico Dental Association in 2003 as the part-time events coordinator. During that time, Susan learned the ropes of the organization, handled the peer review, and helped to organize and staff the various meetings that took place throughout the year. “I worked with the House of Delegates and the exhibitors during the Annual Session,” she explained, “And I helped put together several of the other meetings—the Board of Trustees, the Dental Education Sum- mit, and even a Western States Presidents Conference.” In 2006, she left NMDA to join Gherardi & Moore as a full-time office manager. Concurrent with her office manager position, Susan returned to the NMDA in 2009 in a part-time capacity organizing and staffing the annual House of Delegates meeting. “I just love that meeting!” Susan said. “I love watching the ideas, the policy develop- ment, the collaboration that come out of it every year.” In addition to continuing to staff the House of Delegates meeting, Susan is your new contact person for all things related to your mem- bership. She is handling new applications, dues questions, and mem- ber services. If you haven’t already, you will hear from her throughout the year via our member concierge service (1-888-505-NMDA). Susan is working with component leadership to help each district dental society develop and execute plans for web sites, continuing education, communications, and social events, as well as assisting them with essential duties like financial accounting and reporting. Susan is a very proud parent of two grown children who live out of state. In her pre-pandemic free time, she enjoyed traveling domesti- cally and internationally. These days she continues to enjoy hiking, yoga, reading, and connecting remotely with family.