FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For additional information, contact:
Michelle Lee, CPC
Executive Director
(800) 298-6727
[email protected]

June 15, 2021(ATLANTA, GA) - The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP), a community of individual clinicians, group practices, educators, researchers, consultants, trainers, compliance directors, policymakers, and industry representatives who advocate for the safe and infection-free delivery of oral healthcare, is pleased to announce the recipients of the annual OSAP Infection Control Leadership Awards. The OSAP Awards were presented during the 2021 OSAP Virtual Conference on June 2.

“Every year, OSAP Leadership Awards recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to the field of dental infection prevention and safety." says Michelle Lee, Executive Director of OSAP. “OSAP is proud to have an active volunteer base. In addition to the awards for which individuals are nominated and selected by the board, the chair of OSAP also awards special recognition to a few of the volunteers that have exceeded all expectations to make a difference for the organization.”

24th Annual Dr. James J. Crawford Award: David Reznik, DDS

This award, named in honor of one of the founding fathers of dental infection control, recognizes lifetime achievement in the field. Awardees have made major contributions in science, education, or public policy related to OSAP’s core competencies of infection control and patient and provider safety. OSAP was proud to present the 2021 Dr. James Crawford Award to Dr. David Reznik.

As a young dentist, Dr. Reznik was one of the first people in Georgia who was willing to work with people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). He will tell you that he knew very little about HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. However, he read a book and started learning that this was a population in need and was growing. He went from having one HIV patient in 1986 to having 87 when he began taking patients from AID Atlanta, a nonprofit support organization. Then, in 1991, he partnered with Grady Health System to create the Oral Health Center. Two years later, the Grady Infection Disease program opened, making the Midtown Atlanta clinic the first in the nation to have an oral health clinic for people living with AIDS. Since then, his commitment to the work has taken him beyond Atlanta. In 1997 he created the HIV Dental Alliance organization that covers everything: mental health, infection control, dental issues, medicine, research, and public policy for people with HIV/AIDS worldwide.

Currently, Dr. Reznik is Chief of the Dental Service for the Grady Health System in Atlanta and still serves as Director of the Oral Health Center of Grady’s Infectious Disease Program. His honors are numerous. He has lectured nationally and internationally and has published extensively. In addition, he has served on OSAP’s Board of Directors and tirelessly advocated for OSAP and dental infection prevention and control throughout his career.

20th Annual Dr. Milton Schaefer Award: Stanley Bergman

This award is named after one of the founding members of OSAP and celebrates superior service to the organization, recognizing either continuous contributions over a period of time or singular accomplishments. The nominee’s efforts have resulted in tangible benefits to the continuing advancement of OSAP’s mission to be the leading provider of infection prevention and control education, training, and credentialing that supports safe dental visits.

This year’s Schaefer Award was presented to Stanley Bergman. Mr. Bergman has provided superior service to the organization from his original commitment as a founding member through decades of support that has advanced OSAP’s mission in highly tangible ways. As CEO of Henry Schein, Inc., Mr. Bergman is in a unique position to influence and promote, not only internally but externally, among his corporate peers and throughout many spheres of influence in which he operates. OSAP has tangibly benefitted from Mr. Bergman's commitment as he has helped connect the organization to world-renowned leaders in healthcare and the global economy. He has encouraged his C-suite peers throughout the world to appreciate OSAP’s mission. He has exemplified empowerment throughout his entire association with OSAP and has encouraged team members to volunteer and support the organization. Whatever the need, OSAP leadership knows we can count on Mr. Bergman's support, wisdom, and insight as we continue together, to make every dental visit a safe visit.

7th Annual Emerging Infection Control Leader Award: Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH

The goal of the Emerging Leader Award is to help develop and promote the next generation of stars in the field of dental infection prevention and safety by identifying outstanding new infection control advocates. OSAP was honored to name Michelle Strange as the 2021 Emerging Infection Control Leader Award recipient.

Ms. Strange is a champion for dentistry and infection control. Through her podcast, A Tale of Two Hygienists, writing for numerous publications, and constant re-education of the misinformation on social media, Michelle is making a difference in how our industry views infection control. After joining OSAP several years ago, Ms. Strange became a sponge, attempting to soak up all the knowledge possible. Ms. Strange exemplifies what this award is all about. She is a natural leader sharing her passion for keeping patients and providers safe and reaching new audiences through her multiple platforms. We expect great things from this emerging leader.

18th Annual Bette & Paul Schwartz Award for Volunteerism: Shannon Mills, DDS

This award is named in honor of a couple who personify the spirit of volunteerism for the organization, Bette and Paul Schwartz, a dynamic duo who for many years selflessly contributed their time and resources to managing all the volunteer activities associated with OSAP’s annual conference. The award is given to identify and thank an outstanding volunteer, a nearly impossible selection, given the generous support of the OSAP community.

This year's award was presented to Dr. Shannon Mills. OSAP’s internal team praises Dr. Mill’s ongoing commitment to the organization. Be it papers that need reviewed, assistance with committee work, staffing the OSAP booth at national dental meetings, or educating our internal team on dentistry, Dr. Mills always says yes.

Special Recognition Award for Leadership: Cynthia C. Durley, M.E.d, MBA

Bestowed at the discretion of the OSAP Board of Directors, this special leadership award recognizes individuals whose vision, works, or achievements have significantly influenced and broadly shaped dental infection control. Unlike other awards, this special recognition is not given annually. This year, OSAP’s Board of Directors has chosen to recognize Cindy Durley, Executive Director of the Dental Assisting National Board and The DALE Foundation for her tireless efforts and exceptional leadership in the development and launch of the OSAP-DALE Foundation Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate™ and our two certifications: OSAP-DANB Certified in Dental Infection Prevention and Control™ (CDIPC™) and OSAP-DANB Dental Industry Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control™ (DISIPC™). Ms. Durley's knowledge, attention to detail, and willingness to go the extra mile to ensure these programs launch is exemplary. These programs will continue to significantly influence and broadly shape dental infection control for years to come.

Chairman’s Citation Awards

Each year the chairperson presents special citations to individuals who have enriched the organization by contributing a unique blend of talents, skills, hard work, and unwavering commitment to the advancement of dental safety.

OSAP awarded Kathy Eklund, RDH, MHP, and Jill Moore, EdD, MHA, BSDH, RDH, for their dedication and work on our CDC School Sealant Programs Contract. This contract was awarded in 2019. However, after they were well into the project with first drafts presented, the pandemic hit, and the project was halted. When the final go-ahead was given in 2021, Ms. Eklund and Dr. Moore completed about 6 months of project work in a record 2 months. Their passion for the subject and commitment to safety for school sealant programs was evident in the excellent material they produced.

OSAP also awarded two of our internal staff members. Ashley MacDermott, MPH, CHES, OSAP’s Director of Education, and Tara Zeravsky, CMP, our Meeting Planner, who both have a history of producing great programs for us. This year, they were faced with transforming our live programs and not only produced one virtual event, but three virtual events with record attendance.

About OSAP

The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) is the only nonprofit membership association for oral healthcare professionals that focuses exclusively on infection prevention and patient and provider safety. OSAP’s mission is to be the leading provider of infection prevention and control education, training, and credentialing that supports safe dental visits. For additional information, visit www.osap.org.

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