PITTSTON, PA — September 14, 2016 — Blocks from the nation’s first hospital, medical school, and women’s medical school, Philadelphia -- the first planned city in the United States – will greet inspirational women in dentistry next spring. An annual celebration named for Dr. Lucy Hobbs, the woman who, in 1866, became the first American female to earn a degree in dentistry, will award industry professionals for their distinctive talents.
Benco Dental will host The Lucy Hobbs Project 5th Annual Celebration on April 27 and 28, 2017 at Loews Hotel, 1200 Market Street. During the two-day gathering, The Lucy Hobbs Project will honor the women selected as award recipients for setting new benchmarks in the dental profession. The event will also include CE credits, and a keynote speaker. Visit The Lucy Hobbs Project website for more information, www.thelucyhobbsproject.com.
Beginning now, through the November 18, 2016 deadline, Benco Dental encourages people across the country to nominate women in dentistry who they view as inspirations to others. Six award categories for consideration include:
· Woman to Watch: An up-and-coming leader who utilizes her position to create positive change in the industry,
· Industry Icon: A trailblazer who is consistently recognized and admired for her work in the dental industry,
· Mentor: An advisor who recognizes the importance of supporting, educating and encouraging others,
· Innovator: A groundbreaker who demonstrates a willingness to implement new technologies and business processes without fear of potential failure,
· Humanitarian: An altruist who works tirelessly for a charity or cause that benefits the well-being of others, and
· Clinical Expert: A skillful practitioner who embraces advancements and adeptly integrates them into patient care.
Individuals and organizations may submit nominations. Self-nominations are accepted. Only nominations submitted via the online survey and listed as complete will be considered. Entrants are directed to the 2017 Lucy Hobbs Project Awards Nomination form: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LucyHobbsProject2017
Powered by Benco Dental, The Lucy Hobbs Project empowers women in dentistry to drive change and deliver success through networking, innovation and giving back. Named after Dr. Hobbs, this project aims to bring women together from all facets of the dental industry – dentists, dental assistants, hygienists, receptionists, sales representatives and others. The project is free to join and offers networking opportunities, educational programs and charitable events.
Among Lucy Hobbs Award honorees are women whose unwavering professional dedication merits accolades, including:
2016 -- Joyce Bassett, DDS, FAACD, FAGD; Col. Theresa S. Gonzales, Ret., DMD, MS, MSS; Susan Maples, DDS; Kadambari ‘Kady’ Rawal, BDS, CAGS; Pamela Schmidt, DDS, NMD, IBDM; and Mary Teddy Wray, DDS, Maryland. Meet them: https://viewer.zmags.com/publication/9c07c7ab#/9c07c7ab/1
2015 -- Luz Marina Aguirre, DMD; BB Maboby Bahadarakhann; Lindsay Limbaugh, DMD, MS; Amanda Seay, DDS; Kendra S. Schaefer, DMD; and Dr. Esther M. Wilkins, BS, RDH, DMD. Learn their stories at: https://viewer.zmags.com/publication/10683ba7 - /10683ba7/1
2014 -- Joan Austin (1931-2013); Karen Gear, DDS; Mary Hartigan, DDS; Maria Maranga, DDS; Terryl A. Propper, DDS, MS; Katti Webb Simpson, IPDH; and Kaaren G. Vargas, DDS, PhD. Learn about their contributions to the profession: https://viewer.zmags.com/publication/636592a9 - /636592a9/1
2013 -- Sonia Chopra, DDS; Dr. Lynda Dean-Duru; Anne Eiting Klamar, MD; Sonia Leziy, DDS; Rhonda Switzer, DMD; and Careen Young, DDS, MSD. View their Incisal Edge interviews: https://viewer.zmags.com/publication/3b7191a9 - /3b7191a9/1
To learn more and sign up for The Lucy Hobbs Project®, visit: www.thelucyhobbsproject.com
Shown at the 4th Annual Celebration in Dallas, are 2016 award recipients, clockwise, from bottom left: Dr. Joyce Bassett, Dr. Susan Maples, Dr. Kady Rawal, Dr. Mary Teddy Wray and Dr. Pamela Schmidt. Absent from photo Col. Theresa S. Gonzales, Ret., DMD, MS, MSS.
About Lucy Hobbs
At age 26, Lucy Hobbs decided she wanted a career change. She had been teaching for ten years and felt a strong desire to pursue her true passion – dentistry. Sounds reasonable, right? However, this was 1859 and female dentists simply didn’t exist. Hobbs was promptly refused admission to dental school because of her gender. Undeterred, she convinced a professor from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery to accept her into their program. In three short years, Dr. Hobbs opened her own practice, was professionally recognized and allowed to join the Iowa State Dental Society. Dr. Hobbs was a true trailblazer who paved the way for other women’s success. To learn more and sign up, visit The Lucy Hobbs Project website at: www.thelucyhobbsproject.com
