2015
Shils-Meskin Award
Dr. Amid Ismail for his lifelong commitment, dedication, and passion for the importance of oral health across all aspects of society worldwide.
Shils Innovator Awards
Dr. Cecile Feldman for her outstanding leadership as an educator and her commitment to training tomorrows dental care providers with a commitment to excellence.
Dr. Kathleen O’Loughlin for her outstanding leadership as a health educator, business executive, and advocate for improving oral health literacy, prevention, and care.
Children’s Oral Health Network for their extraordinary commitment and tireless efforts in providing accessible and affordable oral health care to scores of children in the greater Cincinnati Ohio area.
Special Recognition Award
Dr. Joseph McManus for his leadership and outstanding contributions in the management of oral health service programs and his tireless efforts in caring for the underserved.
2014 Award Winners
Shils-Meskin Award
Dr. Bruce Donoff for his advocacy and leadership in incorporating oral health into overall health care issues through interprofessional education and interpersonal relationships
Special Recognition Awards
Tracy Garland for being the driving force behind the formation of the NIIOH in 2009 and for creating a new norm for effective interprofessional collaboration
Dr. Horst-Wolfgang Haase for his leadership of Quintessence Publishing, widely recognized as a true champion in dental education
Dr. Marc Rothman for his tireless championing for those in need of oral care and his worldwide philanthropic achievements
Jeffrey Parker for his leadership of Sarrell Dental Center and transforming the lives of thousands of underserved in Alabama
Shils Innovator Awards
3M ESPE for expanding Give Kids A Smile to the NASCAR nation through the 3M NASCAR program
Dr. Linda Niessen for her advocacy for the importance of oral health care for seniors as well as her leadership as Dean of Nova Southeastern UniversityDr. Irvin Silverstein for his devotion and leadership of the Student-Run Free Dental Clinic Project and the UCSD Pre-Dental Society
2013 Award Winners
Shils-Meskin Award
Dr. Jeanne Sinkford for her life-long career and leadership in oral health education and research
Special Recognition Awards
Dr. Dominick DePaola for his lifelong commitment to improving the oral health of the public and his leadership in the oral health care community
1300 Smiles and Youth With A Mission Medical Ships – Australia for your passion, dedication and leadership in bringing much needed health care to the underserved in Papua New Guinea
Norman Weinstock for his lifetime of commitment, innovation and business leadership in the world of dental restorative services and his mentoring of leaders in the oral health community
Shils Innovator Awards
Dr. George Blue Spruce Jr. for his leadership and development of the American Indian Dental Society and advocacy for oral health care for this under represented community
Dr. Wendy Mouradian for her outstanding leadership, dedication and commitment to dental education
Dr. David Satcher for his leadership and outstanding contributions to the world of oral health educationDr. Robert Schattner for his commitment, philanthropy, leadership and contributions to the world of oral health
2012 Award Winners
Champion of the Decade Award
Stanley M. Bergman for his steadfast and ongoing support of the Shils Fund and his commitment to continuing Ed’s teachings and recognizing the importance of the entrepreneurial spirit
Shils-Meskin Award
Dr. Lois K. Cohen for her lifelong career and leadership in oral health education, research and health diplomacy
Special Recognition Award
Dr. Jack Dillenberg for his leadership throughout his career and for his mentorship of the Student Oral Health Initiative
Donald Rubin for his development and supporting programs in culture, health care, social responsibility and leadership development
Jost Fisher for his support and generosity in helping build capacity for dental clinics throughout the world
Sam Zarbiv for his leadership of the Student Oral Health Initiative and his efforts to bridge the gap between medical and dental health care
2011 Award Winners
Shils-Meskin Award
Dr. Harold Slavkin for his lifelong career and leadership in oral health education and research as well as his commitment to enriching scientific, clinical and academic literature on the importance of oral health care and its societal impact on the underserved
Shils Award
Dr. Allen Finkelstein for his advocacy in developing the Health Home for children and expanding access to oral health care as primary care to health professionals at large
Dr. Burton Edelstein for his outstanding leadership of the Children’s Dental Health Project and his securing federal government support for S Chips in 2010 and years to come
Gary Price for his dedication and leadership of the Dental Trade Alliance’s “Oral Health care Can’t Wait” program for the industry, profession and public
University of Washington Pediatric Clinic for innovation in expanding access to oral health care and engaging the entire health care community of stakeholders into the process
Special Recognition Award
Jeffrey Perelman for his leadership and support of medical and dental health care programs that serve the community and especially those in need, in the Delaware Valley region
Senior Mobile Dental for the impact made in addressing the oral health needs of the vulnerable older adult population in the Colorado Springs area
Founder Award
Stephen Boss demonstrating, early in his career, commitment for leadership and program development benefitting his colleagues, school and the profession in areas of continuing education and access to care for the underserved
2010 Award Winners
Shils Award
Ralph Fuccillo for innovation and support of oral health programs for the public
Dr. Michael Glick for his steadfast editorial voice and advocacy on behalf of the underserved
Dr. Steven Perlman for his commitment to the Special Olympics and to serving those with special needs
Fit for School Inc. for their dedication to serving school children in remote areas of the Philippines
Special Recognition Award
Dr. Michael Bergermann, Dr. Ruben Cohen, and Ilona Eichenberger for their volunteerism with Interplast and dedication to providing underserved children with access to medical care
Dr. Jessica Meeske Founding the Sonrisa Dental Project and her dedication to the underserved in South Central Nebraska
Founder Award
Diane Amos her dedication and leadership of The New Orleans Dream Center and her advocacy for the underserved
2009 Award Winners
Shils-Meskin Award
Dr. Anthony Volpe for over four decades of experience in clinical dental research, preventive dentistry and dental scientific affairs
Shils Award
American Dental Association/GlaxoSmithKline Oral Longevity Program for increasing awareness about the oral health needs of older Americans
Dr. Lawrence Caplin for Founding the Oral Health Impact Project, bringing quality oral health care to children
Goldie’s Place for establishing a support center for homeless adults in Chicago
Robert T. Freeman Dental Society Foundation for sponsoring the Deamonte Driver Dental Project
Special Recognition Award
Congressman Elijah E. Cummings being a true advocate of Maryland’s children
Dr. Jay S. Grossman founding Homeless Not Toothless
Miracle Corners of the World Tanzanian Dental School Renovation Project rebuilding the Muhimbili University of Health and Allies Sciences (MUHAS) Dental School and upgrading its equipment and technology
2008 Award Winners
Shils-Meskin Award
Dr. D. Walter Cohen for his lifelong contribution and stellar accomplishments in the advancement of the dental health field
Shils Award
DENTSPLY International for 50 years of support and partnership in the development and leadership of The International Association of Student Clinicians – American Dental Association – SCADA Program
Dr. Robert Klaus for his leadership and advocacy for dental health equality for all members of society
National Museum of Dentistry (NMD) for their commitment to promoting public oral health awareness through innovative and entertaining educational programs
Cherilyn G. Sheets, DDS for founding The Children’s Dental Center, which provides children of the working poor access to quality dental care
Founder Award
Dr. Musa Bajali his leadership and commitment to engage in educational and clinical programs with nontraditional partners
Dr. Adam Stabholz his leadership of the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine and for the development of the Bridges to Peace Program
Dr. Martin Tansy his career accomplishments as the longest serving dean in dental education
2007 Award Winners
Special Recognition Award
Steven W. Kess his countless contributions to the dental community and health of the public
Shils Award
Dr. Terry Dickinson for establishing and leading the Mission of Mercy access-to-care program
Dr. Art Dugoni for lifelong achievement, passion and commitment to dentistry for almost 60 years
Dr. Caswell Evans for leadership of Healthy People 2010 and his commitment to the importance of oral health care
Dr. Dushanka Kleinman for her tireless efforts and passion in securing resources to support the issue of good oral health
Lori Trost, DMD, PC for launching Pink Tooth Enterprises, an educational network, for women in dentistry
Founder Award
Dr. Mitchell Pines his breadth of commitment to the profession of dentistry
2006 Award Winners
Shils Award
Larry M. Coffee, DDS for leadership of the National Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped
Thomas Chappell for his socially responsible leadership of Tom’s of Maine
Eric J. Hovland, DDS, Med, MBA for his leadership of LSU’s post-Katrina recovery efforts
Malcolm Gladwell for authoring The Moral Hazard Myth,which focused on the disparity in oral health care
2005 Award Winners
Shils Award
Miracle Corners of the World empowering youth worldwide to be positive agents of change
Urban Genesis and the I-LEAD Sister Program transforming the quality of life for the youth of Pennsylvania
2004 Award Winners
Shils Award
Michael C. Alfano, DMD, PhD for establishing the Oral Cancer Consortium
Marsha E. Butler, DDS for leadership of Colgate’s Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Program
Delta Dental Plan of Wisconsin for expansion of Marquette University’s Dental Program Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine
Program for Women (ELAM) for preparing women faculty for leadership roles in academic health centers