[New York, NY] October 16, 2024 – The Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund, Inc. (“Shils Fund”), a non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing and fostering innovative and entrepreneurial leaders in oral healthcare, held its annual Shils Awards event on October 9, 2024. The celebration, hosted at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, honored groundbreaking contributions in oral health, spotlighting achievements in innovation, education, and advocacy.
Opening remarks were delivered by Keith Drayer, Shils Fund President, who noted the collective efforts in advancing oral health and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit. “Today is an important day for the Shils Fund as we continue our legacy of honoring individuals and organizations that are advancing oral health. We are thrilled to have so many passionate individuals gathered here today, united by a shared entrepreneurial spirit”, Drayer noted.
The 2024 Shils Annual Awards Program honored individuals and organizations making significant impacts in oral health innovation, education, and advocacy. The following awards were presented:
- Excellence in Academia Award: Dr. Raymond Cohlmia, Executive Director of the American Dental Association, honored for his impact on dental education and leadership.
- Excellence in Industry Award: Dr. Aman Kaur, honored for her leadership in promoting diversity in Dental Support Organizations.
- Excellence in Research Award: Dr. Derrick Wan, recognized for his research in transdermal patches for radiation-injured tissue.
- Cohen-Volpe Award (Sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive): Dr. Hazel Harper, recognized for her commitment to mentoring healthcare leaders and fostering interprofessional partnerships.
- Shils-Meskin Award (Sponsored by CareQuest Innovation Partners): Ms. Michelle Lee, honored for her work advancing dental safety through the Association for Dental Safety.
“Receiving this recognition reminds me of my father and the essence of professionalism, which is summed up in nine words: ‘I need help. I can help. We will help. When I look at the Shils Award and the values you all represent, I am in awe. I’m deeply honored to receive this award”, said Dr. Ray Cohlmia, Executive Director of the ADA and Shils Excellence in Academia Award.
The event also featured Special Recognition Awards for extraordinary contributions to advancing oral health:
- Greater New York Dental Meeting: Honored for its 100th anniversary and commitment to dental education. (accepted by Dr. Gail Schupak)
- Dr. Allen Finkelstein: Recognized for his lifelong dedication to global oral health.
- The Mississippi Health Project: In recognition for being the nation’s first mobile health clinic, setting a model for community-based care. (accepted by Elicia Pegues Spearman, Esq.)
The Shils Partnership Awards Program is designed to recognize and support innovative projects that make a meaningful impact on oral health and healthcare overall. Each award recipient receives a $5,000 grant and is paired with a dedicated mentor from the Shils Fund Board to provide ongoing guidance and support in further developing their projects. This year’s Partnership Awards included:
- Young Entrepreneur Award: Ms. Tobi Bosede, Founder of DentalFynd, for her AI-driven solution to improve dental practice scheduling and access.
- Diversity Innovation Award: Smiles for Veterans, for providing essential dental care to underserved veterans.
- Future Developers Award: Dr. Michael Schiappa, for his invention of the Oral Capnography Accessory, which enhances patient safety during surgeries.
Reflecting on the honor, Tobi Bosede shared: “Coming from a non-dental background, navigating this field was a challenge, but the support from Shils and this community is inspiring. I’m excited to contribute what I’ve learned to future recipients.”
The highlight of the evening was the Great Oral Health Pitch Award, presented to Dr. Ashley Lerman, Founder of Firstgrin, for her work in addressing childhood cavities and improving maternal oral health. Dr. Lerman received a $50,000 sponsorship package to further her initiative.
Dr. Lerman remarked: ““I feel like I’m in a room full of powerhouses. Thank you for paving the way and continuing to do what you do, so I can keep doing what I’m doing. It’s an incredible honor to accept this award on behalf of Firstgrin. Being recognized by such a prestigious organization that champions innovation and entrepreneurship in oral health is both humbling and inspiring. This award reflects the vision and values of the late Dr. Edward B. Shils, whose legacy of bold ideas and solutions continues to shape oral health innovation.”, said Great Oral Health Pitch winner, Dr. Lerman.
The Shils Fund extended its gratitude to sponsors, including Henry Schein, Colgate, CareQuest, DMG, Septodont, Bank of America, Integrated Marketing Services, NSK, Bien Air USA and others, for their generous contributions, which make this initiative possible. Their support, along with dedicated Shils Board members, helps to foster innovation and empower the next generation of dental entrepreneurs.
The prestigious Shils/DTA Fund-A-Future Scholarship Award recognizes dental students who excel academically, demonstrate financial need, and show a strong commitment to community service. This year, Jeremie Oliver Pina, the current president of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Society at the University of Maryland, was selected for his leadership and innovative cross-disciplinary research in craniofacial biology and healthcare delivery. In his thank-you message, Jeremie expressed that “this scholarship opens new possibilities for personal and professional growth while supporting my growing family and advancing my clinical training.”
This year’s keynote address, “Strengthening Your Leadership,” was delivered by Professor Michael Useem, Faculty Director at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and featured a fireside chat with Stanley Bergman, CEO and Chairman of Henry Schein, Inc. The session focused on the role of leadership in fostering innovation and adaptability in the rapidly evolving healthcare industry. Useem and Bergman discussed the importance of strategic decision-making, inspiring teams, and navigating uncertainty in order to drive meaningful change.
Professor Useem reminded attendees: ” As you think about the next 5 or 10 years of your professional life, consider the difference you want to make. Leadership is both an individual and a team sport. It’s about developing your own capacities, but also about the team you build around you and what they contribute. Every awardee today has shown a desire to impact the lives of others—patients and colleagues alike. The question is, how much difference can we make? Let’s rise to the challenge together—because, collectively, we can achieve great things.”
The evening concluded with a reception, offering networking opportunities for attendees to collaborate on advancing oral health.
As the Shils Fund moves forward, it continues to emphasize its role as a catalyst for innovation in oral health and healthcare leadership. Through the Annual Awards, the Great Oral Health Pitch, and the Partnership Awards, the Shils Fund remains dedicated to supporting the next generation of dental entrepreneurs, clinicians, and innovators.
For more information about the Shils Fund and its programs, visit www.shilsfund.org.
Contact:
Jamie Pirowskin
Executive Director, Shils Fund
Phone: (646) 620-4774
Email: info@shilsfund.org
About the Shils Fund:
The Dr. Edward B. Shils Entrepreneurial Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering innovation and leadership in oral health. Established in 2002, the fund honors the legacy of Dr. Edward Shils and supports entrepreneurial initiatives that advance oral health, education, and public health through grants, awards, and mentorship programs.