Dear Colleagues,
It is hard to believe that 20 years has passed since we created the Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund back in 2002.
Ed and Shirley were with us and, as would be expected, Ed had his hand in all aspects of the program; serving as a mentor for those who supported us, as well as those in the Dental community involved in entrepreneurial activities.
At the time, the subject was young and lots of individuals were doing innovative “out of the box” programs whose new ideas challenged the status quo, and successful ideas became part of the fabric of the future.
I have had the privilege of serving as President of the Shils Fund since its inception, during which we have recognized and supported innovative programs, individuals and projects. As we look to the future, this is a perfect time to transition the leadership of the Shils Fund to other qualified individuals who have served on the Board and helped spearhead its activities and ongoing development. The future demands that entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership in the oral health and overall healthcare community remain vibrant and impactful in order to sustain the importance of and improvement of healthcare for the public – a mission that is worthy of Dr. Shils and his legacy to the community and the profession.
Now, 20 years later, The Shils Fund is developing two value propositions for the future – new branding/new partners. Additional members will be blended into our current portfolio of activities so that the long-term ability of “honoring the past while securing the future” remains intact. I hope you join us for our 20th Anniversary event on October 18, 2022 at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and continue your support of the Shils Fund and its ability to cultivate entrepreneurialism in oral health.
In closing, I would like to thank all of you, our Board, Executive Director, our honorees and the student development program DICE, as represented on our Board by Dr. Alyse O’Kelly. I plan to continue to advise the Shils Fund in the future and continue, where possible, to participate in its programs and special events.
I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year. Keep safe and let’s continue to make a difference in the oral health community.
Steve W. Kess
Vice President, Global Professional Relations
Henry Schein, Inc.
President, Dr. Edward B. Shils Entreprenuerial Fund, Inc.