Alpha Omega's unique form of Geography

ALPHA OMEGA’s UNIQUE FORM OF GEOGRAPHY
Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity certainly has its own unique version of “6 Degrees of Separation.” A short time ago, Allen Sherman (not the Hello Mudda, Hello Fodda one), but Southern California’s perennial hard and diligent worker, and long-time active Alpha Omegan, who has been active both in his local area, as a Regent, and as a “regular” Convention attendee, forwarded me an article from an edition of the ADA News. This article featured Manhattan oral surgeon Dr. Ruben Cohen (also an Alpha Omegan), and discussed his many first response efforts and volunteerism. Dr. Cohen assisted at Ground Zero after 9/11, and had our loyal corporate partner Henry Schein delivers medical supplies within 24 hours of that tragedy to the American Express building. He even arranged for displaced NYU students to receive toothbrushes within hours after the terrorist attacks. He is also a long-time volunteer in Tanzania, where he helped build a dental clinic for Miracle Corners of the World (a NY-based not-for-profit that emphasizes leadership training, health care outreach, etc.) Doesn’t that sound like an AO-type GOHI-type project? Of course, after the Haiti earthquakes, Dr. Cohen was on the first planeload of volunteers to reach Haiti, and he was carrying four boxes of supplies donated by Henry Schein Dental. Dr. Cohen is certainly an example to all of us in Alpha Omega, with his practical application of AO’s triangle--- Professionalism at its highest; Fraternalism in his spirit; and his emphasis on the Judaic values of “tzedaka” and “tikun olam.”
The wonderful Milt Salzer is being honored with the prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. We are all aware of all Milt has done and meant to AO, but our “6 degrees of separation”- AO style, continues! Others with Alpha Omega “linkage” who have previously received this award include four Achievement Medal Honorees (Bernard Sarnat, Dan Laskin, Dushanka V. Kleinman, and Murray Massler), Barry Freydberg, Charles S. Greene, Erwin Barrington, Myron Weiner, Marvin Weiss, and former Dean Seymore H. Yale. All Alpha Omegans should be honored by these fraters’ examples of exemplary professionalism. We all wish, Susan, Milt’s wife a speedy recovery as she is having hip replacement surgery tomorrow.
Dentists throughout the world have taken notice of how important it is to belong to Alpha Omega. This past week, both PIP Barry Chapnick, and BOD Member Andre Amiach forwarded information about significant interest in Amsterdam to form an AO chapter there. This is in its preliminary stages, but obviously exciting news for all of us. If members around the world are approaching us to become members, we need to rededicate our efforts in our existing areas. Let’s all dedicate ourselves to reinvigorating and exciting existing members, re-upping former members, and attracting potential new members. As Alpha Omega grows in number, we can achieve so much more!
When you visit our website at www.ao,org, you will take note of the fact that a new section has been added, to definitely benefit both younger and established members. This section will feature Associateship Opportunities, and will help pair our members from various generations. Another new member benefit!
If you have not yet made your reservation for the Leadership Seminar April 30-May 1, in Seattle, details are also available from the website. Get into the habit of periodically checking the website. Also remember that Conventional Marshal Bob Simon and his committee have arranged a great convention from December 25- January 1, in San Diego. I encourage you to either look at the details from the ao.org website, or go directly to: aosunnydays2010.ao.org, for all the exciting details, and for registration pages and payment opportunities.
Your Alpha Omega is a vibrant fraternity, with lots going on. Every day, we try to make it even better, for our members.


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