Mar 7, 2023
Dr. William Calnon Receives 2023 Mark J. Feldman Distinguished Service Award
Dr. William Calnon, past president of the ADA, NYSDA, the Seventh District, and the Monroe County Dental Society, was named the 2023 Mark J. Feldman Distinguished Service Award winner by the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA). The award is presented to an individual in recognition of years of service and commitment to NYSDA. Dr. Calnon was selected based on his contributions to NYSDA, contributions to organized dentistry as a whole, offices and positions held, and his length of service. He currently holds the position of president of the Eastman Dental Center Foundation Board, has served as interim director of the Eastman Institute for Oral Health at the University of Rochester, and as president and interim executive director of the American Dental Association (ADA) Foundation. He first became involved in leadership positions in organized dentistry in the late 1980’s and has devoted the past 34+ years to inspiring excellence in the dental community. When he became President of the ADA Foundation, Dr. Calnon said, “I recognize from being on the Foundation’s board the unbelievable potential the Foundation has and it continues to do excellent things for the public. I also recognize that with all those tremendous opportunities come challenges. I’m ready to take on those challenges.” Dr. Calnon has always had a strong belief in seeing the potential of the organizations he has and continues to serve. He shows up again and again prepared to tackle tough situations with a positive attitude and a spirit of resilience.
Paul Leary, a friend and colleague from the Second District and Immediate Past ADA Trustee, Second District wrote, “he has managed to inspire thousands of dentists throughout his career, always giving of himself in efforts to expand the profession, advance the oral health care needs of the population everywhere, and handling all this with a gentle demeanor required as a mentor to all. This is a person who lives the word service.”
Congratulations Dr. Calnon -- from your friends and family in the Seventh District Dental Society!