New York, NY — October 31, 2025 — The Shils Fund welcomed more than 100 leaders from across the oral health community to the NYU College of Dentistry on October 28th for its 2025 Annual Awards Event, where innovators and industry champions were recognized and celebrated for their contributions to improving oral health through entrepreneurial leadership.
Keith Drayer, Shils Fund President welcomed attendees, reflecting on the significance of the gathering and the organization’s ongoing commitment to entrepreneurial leadership. “The Shils Fund’s annual awards program is a powerful celebration of innovation, leadership, and compassion, an inspiring reminder of how one community can create lasting impact year after year,” said Drayer.
Founded in 2002 to honor the 50-year legacy of Dr. Edward B. Shils, the Shils Fund continues to support and celebrate outstanding programs and individuals who are shaping the future of oral health through innovation and collaboration. Stanley Bergman, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Henry Schein, Inc., paid tribute to Dr. Shils’ profound legacy of mentorship and visionary thinking, sharing with the audience, “Ed was an extraordinary educator—not because of lectures, but because of the remarkable people he brought together to inspire new thinking. One of the greatest lessons I learned from him is to always look beyond the business you are in today. If you are in dental distribution, think bigger—think about the entire field you are serving. Think about where you can go, not just what you are doing in the moment. Reflect on how your work can impact the broader world. That mindset, which Ed embodied so naturally, is one I would recommend to every business leader.”
This year’s event recognized honorees for their achievements in dental science, global leadership, academic excellence, entrepreneurship, and industry influence.
Stanley Bergman, Henry Schein, Inc., Chairman of the Board and CEO was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award. Bergman was recognized for his decades of influential leadership, philanthropic commitment, and transformative impact on the global oral health landscape.
“When we look at Stan’s impact, it’s like an iceberg, what is visible is only a fraction. Stan is the invisible hand behind so many advancements in our industry, always lifting others, always enabling success. For 35 years, his commitment has never wavered — the same values, the same humility, the same remarkable leadership” said Steve Kess, Shils Fund President Emeritus.
Accepting the honor, Bergman shared, “To receive this recognition here at NYU is especially meaningful, as Henry Schein, Inc. has proudly partnered with NYU College of Dentistry for more than 35 years. Our shared mission has always been to advance education, strengthen communities, and expand access to care, and that commitment will endure.”
Charles N. Bertolami, NYU College of Dentistry, Dean, shared, Stan’s leadership on the Strategic Advisory Committee has driven ideas that profoundly benefit the communities we serve. From his very first meeting as Chair, he made it clear that our priority must be service. When service leads, success follows, and that is exactly what has happened under Stan’s unwavering commitment.”
The Excellence in Industry Award was presented to Vincent Cardillo, Maeva Dental Advisors, CEO & Founder, who was recognized for his visionary leadership in the dental service organization space and his long-term mentorship of the next generation of dental entrepreneurs. Dr. Steven Bloembergen, GreenMark Biomedical Inc., Founder & Chief Science Officer, received the Excellence in Research Award for his groundbreaking advancements in tooth remineralization and caries prevention. Dr. Maria Ryan, Colgate-Palmolive Company, Chief Clinical Officer, was honored with the Cohen-Volpe Award for her global leadership in advancing oral health outcomes through collaboration. The Shils-Meskin Award, sponsored by CareQuest Innovation Partners, recognized Dr. Chris Fox, International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, CEO (Ret.), for his distinguished service to oral health research and advocacy.
The Shils Fund–supported Dental Trade Alliance Foundation Scholarship was awarded to Dr. Hind Aljarahi of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine for her outstanding academic excellence and exceptional commitment to expanding pediatric dental care access for underserved communities.
The Grand Prize Great Oral Health Pitch Award was presented to Adrian Finzelberg, KiDDY CAPS, Founder & CEO, whose social-impact pediatric zirconia crown innovation, ZircoThin™, reduces the need for anesthesia and enables cost-efficient, quality care for children everywhere.
The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Richard W. Valachovic, NYU College of Dentistry, Clinical Professor, on “Entrepreneurial Leadership in Academic Dentistry.” He emphasized the power of academic innovation to create multiplier effects that improve care delivery, build institutional capacity, and strengthen community resilience.
The Shils Fund remains deeply committed to advancing Dr. Shils’ legacy with building a more innovative, equitable, and connected future for oral health worldwide.
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