AWARDS
PDA ANNUAL AWARDS
The recipients of the PDA Distinguished Service Award and PDA Public Service Award received their awards on April 13 at the Board of Trustees Retirement Dinner at the Hilton Harrisburg . The PDA Recognition Award was presented earlier in April . All of the award recipients were recognized during the Business Meeting held April 28 at PDM .
PDA Distinguished Service Award – Dr . William T . Spruill
Outgoing president Dr . Bruce Terry presented Dr . Spruill with the Distinguished Service Award .
It is a privilege to present the PDA Distinguished Award to Dr . William Spruill .
Each year , the Annual Awards Committee selects a member whose contribution of time and effort to PDA has been exceptionally significant , whose achievements and high standards have aided and advanced the science and art of dentistry or whose public life and activities have been of such a nature as to reflect great credit upon the profession . Bill ’ s extraordinary service to the dental profession and all levels of organized dentistry , spanning a 40-year career certainly have done that and then some .
Bill ’ s natural leadership qualities , strong convictions and energetic approach have all been instrumental in his achievements , whether taking the lead on challenging grassroots advocacy efforts or organizing charitable missions to help the underserved .
After graduating from the University of Maryland , Baltimore College of Dental Surgery in 1977 , Dr . Spruill served in the United States Army , completing a general practice residency in 1978 before entering private dental practice in Carlisle in 1980 .
Throughout his career Bill made an impact in so many statewide efforts by combining his polished communications and public relations skills with his command of the public policy issues of the day . In addition to terms as president of the Harrisburg Area Dental Society , Fifth District Dental Society , PDA and the Pennsylvania Academy of General Dentistry , Bill has chaired numerous committees and also served as a delegate or alternate at the ADA dating back to 1996 .
In recent years he has been one of the key team members who established the annual MOM-n-PA dental mission , a two-day free dental care event each spring .
Passionate about education , he achieved Mastership and Lifelong Learning and Service Recognition from the Academy of General Dentistry ; served as an instructor in the Dental Hygiene Program at the Harrisburg Area Community College and continues to lecture to dental organizations on a variety of relevant topics .
Beyond the dental profession , his leadership and service extends to his church , Second Presbyterian Church in Carlisle , as well as his local Rotary Club .
Bill , it is with great pleasure that I present you with the 2018 PDA Distinguished Service Award .
JULY / AUGUST 2018 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 21