AO Presidential Reflections at mid year

PRESIDENTIAL REFLECTIONS
It’s hard for me to believe that my Presidential year is already half over. I have tried to keep readers of my Blog informed about my weekly activities and Alpha Omega “going-ons.” After a fabulous dozen days in Israel, a safe return home, and another active week of AO activities, I am devoting this blog to some personal reflections and observations.
After 103 years, Alpha Omega has continuously evolved and adapted. We are now a truly International organization, and for AO to remain relevant, we must stay true to the mission symbolized by our triangle. The uniqueness of Alpha Omega is that we combine all three sides of this triangle - - Fraternalism (our unique family feeling and relationship), Professionalism (our devotion to the finest principles and ideals of the health professions), and Judaism (the combination of the Judaic values of “tzedaka” and “tikun olam,” and our commitment to Israel).
My recent trip to Israel helped me focus far more clearly on the unique characteristics of that amazing country and its incredible citizens. Our Israeli fraters do not need to concern themselves with the Judaic aspect of our organization, because being Jewish is basically a fact of life to those residing in Israel. While our fraters pride themselves on their professionalism, they do not only need Alpha Omega for continuing education (first, there is no Continuing Ed requirements in Israel, and second, they have numerous other availabilities for professional enhancement and education). They enjoy the fraternal aspect of the triangle, but most fraters do not feel it is an overwhelmingly compelling reason to belong. They should learn how important is truly is to all of us. As Israel’s Regent, David Ash explained, he explains to other dentists in Israel, that they need Alpha Omega to “give back” and as I said ‘to funnel their “tzedaka” and “tikun olam.” ‘Israeli fraters find it very difficult to get more involved on an international level, because their cost of transportation to an International Convention is often much more than it is for North American fraters, without the tax` deductibility. Students have so many challenges after graduating from dental school that it is difficult for them to make membership in Alpha Omega a priority at the early stages of their professional lives. Many students must then serve military commitments, or seek employment in a rather challenging environment. But I met many eager student who wanted to learn about AO.
There are many health challenges and worthy causes in Israel. Hebrew University is a world-class institution, which is most deserving of our support. TAU has been in a state of flux for years, has major infrastructure challenges, has financial challenges, and although everyone had great things to say about new Head of School Iliana Eli, still needs major restructuring financially, as well in its relationship with the government, the University, and its faculty. We are all rooting for TAU to succeed but we must remain supportive while encouraging the school to take the necessary steps to assure its future success.
One of the major dental educational needs in Israel is post-graduate, specialty education in the north of the country. It is for that reason that about two years ago, the dental program at Rambam Hospital in Haifa opened their Graduate School of Dentistry. This is an extremely well managed, well run, and impressive program. The program also has a relationship both with the hospital itself, as well as the Rappaport Medical School. Since Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are both in central Israel, the dental health needs in the North are stretched, because there are far fewer dentists practicing in the North. This program also encourages dentists practicing in the North, as well as serving the urgent dental and oral needs of the under-served population in this region. I was very impressed with this program.
At Ziv Hospital in Sefad, Alejandro Rusental runs a small but essential program that serves the poorest socio-economic population in the country, while under threat of bombs from Lebanon. Alejandro provides high quality care, and exemplifies the finest principles of “tzedaka” and “tikun olam.” Another great cause!
Many of us are familiar with the wonderful work done by DVI, providing highest quality dental care to needy children in Jerusalem. Although many consider Jerusalem a “big city,” its population is only 800,000 and over 200,000 of that population are children under the poverty level. DVI charges nothing, receives almost all its supplies courtesy of generous contributions, uses volunteer foreign dentists (many of which are Alpha Omegans). However, since they receive no funding from the government, and the worldwide economic situation as well as Israeli politics has had adverse impacts on funds received. A great program!
Our Boston Alumni Chapter supports a very worthwhile program -The Luba Slome Dental Center in Jerusalem. It was recently featured in an outstanding article in Dr. Bicuspid.com June 8, 2010. The center offers educational workshops both at the clinic and in the schools of Jerusalem. Fees are reduced for their services and they have taught thousands of families how to improve their oral hygiene and with prevention come less dental disease. Although I did not see this facility, I know the quality of our Boston Fraters commitment and their fundraising efforts for this nonprofit dental clinic are very commendable. Each chapter should pick a project and support it as Boston does. Watch for our exciting GOHI Chapter Challenge program that will encourage such chapter involvement.
The Holocaust Survivors program, organized by Shlomo Matalon ,Eldad Helft and David Ash ,AO Regent is a great success. The Tel Aviv Chapter and the senior dental students provide free treatments offered at Tel Aviv School of Dental Medicine, treating survivors with no financial ability to pay. Thanks to the campaign organized by Drs. Ziv Simon, Max` Cutler and Lionell Greenberg funds were raised to start this worthwhile program. The students and Alumni treat many incredibly needy “Survivor “senior citizens, who otherwise would not receive dental and oral health care.
There are so many wonderful programs, and so many needs in Israel. I have come to believe that we North Americans do not fully understand the complete needs of the underserved people of this nation. We should be proud of our support, but should utilize to a larger degree our greatest asset in Israel - - our Israeli Fraters. We should consult with our fraters in Israel to receive valuable feedback as to the nation’s dental needs and priorities. They are there and know the situation and areas of greatest need - - we are not. They , also can be our helping hands to do the tzedaka and tikun Olam and bind the fraternalism of AO with the needs of a nation.
Doing this will not only benefit the overall impact of our contributions to Israel, these other programs would provide greater visibility for Alpha Omega, and thus encourage past members to get involved once again, because they would see what AO does all over the country. I believe that it would probably make sense to create a four person advisory committee of Israeli fraters- - one from each of the three chapters in Israel (Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa), and chaired locally by the Israeli Regent ( who changes every two years.). This committee would identify worthy programs that we should consider for additional support. If we wish to be International, we must listen to our Fraters in other nations, and understand their unique needs and opportunities. If all our fraters, throughout the world listened to each other and worked together more, just imagine how Alpha Omega could evolve and how much greater we will be.
I urge you all to make every effort and really consider coming to our International Convention this December 25- January 1 in San Diego. There, you will not only experience a great week filled with fraternalism, professional enhancement, and enjoyment, but you will have the opportunity to meet and speak to fraters from many other places, and discuss how, despite the uniqueness of each culture, how our common interests both unite us and make us stronger! Go to: www.aosunnydays2010.ao.org, and read about the Convention, and even register online. I look forward to greeting many of you at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay in San Diego at the end of the year.
Alpha Omega means many different things to many different people. Think back about why you joined, and why you remain a member today. Let others know everything today’s AO has to offer. If we all work together, we can assure that AO remains relevant and worthwhile for many years to come!
PS :Sign up for the Demand Force Webinar scheduled for July 15….see our web site www.AO.org for details.

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