WDA recognizes 17 for contributions to dentistry, public oral health

Waukesha general dentist Dr. Gene Shoemaker receives lifetime achievement honor

WEST ALLIS, WIS., Nov. 10, 2016 – Dr. Eugene (Gene) Shoemaker, a general dentist who lives and practices in Waukesha, is the 2016 Wisconsin Dental Association Lifetime Achievement Award recipient in recognition of his significant contributions of time, energy and expertise to organized dentistry throughout his 27-year career.

Shoemaker was among 17 individuals and organizations presented with a Pyramid of Pride award by the 3,000-member statewide professional dental organization on Nov. 4 at the Kalahari Resorts and Convention Center in Wisconsin Dells.

Active with the Waukesha County Dental Society, Shoemaker represented the Southeast Region on the WDA Board of Trustees for six years. He was elected vice president in 2008, president-elect in 2009 and served as WDA president from 2010-2011. He has served on more than 16 different committees and delegations and currently co-chairs the WDA Governance Structure Task Force.

Shoemaker has received an American Dental Association Golden Apple Award for Outstanding Leadership through Mentoring, as well as multiple WDA Pyramid of Pride awards: Media Relations (2014), President’s Award of Honor for Mission of Mercy (2010), Outstanding Leadership in Mentoring (2002) and New Dentist Leadership (1998).

A Marquette University School of Dentistry graduate, Shoemaker is a fellow of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy.

Shorewood resident Dennis McGuire is this year’s WDA Foundation Philanthropic Award recipient. McGuire retired from the WDA as executive director in 2006. During his tenure at the WDA, he was instrumental in establishing the foundation’s Donated Dental Services and Dentists Concerned for Dentists programs. He continues to support the foundation’s efforts financially and through his wealth of knowledge.

One of this year’s Community Outreach Award recipients for exceptional service to the public goes to Monroeresident Jane “Dotty” Swiggum. She created a Give Kids A Smile® Brush Your Teeth Show to promote good oral hygiene to children. She also developed a dental education program for preschool through second grade audiences which she shared with more than 500 students.

Community Outreach Awards were also presented to Dr. James Amstadt, a general dentist in Eagle River, and Church Health Services (CHS) in Beaver Dam. Amstadt, a WDA member for 37 years, volunteers his time with Donated Dental Services and Give Kids A Smile®. He is also a volunteer with CHS, a faith-based care organization that partners with local congregations to offer primary, dental and mental health care for the poor, uninsured and underinsured.

Dr. Kenneth Geiger and Mrs. Sandra Geiger were also recognized with a Community Outreach Award. The Geigers live and work in Sheboygan. Closely involved with the successful execution of WDA and WDA Foundation Mission of Mercy events since 2009, they regularly travel to other states to share their MOM expertise, including Colorado, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota.

Community Outreach Award recipient Candace Rabas is a dental hygienist located in Green Bay. Rabas is a local Dentistry from the Heart event coordinator. This non-profit organization is dedicated to delivering free dental care to low-income patients. Rabas has been instrumental in helping 345 patients get needed dental care over the past two years.

Recipients of the 2016 Media Awareness Award include WEAU-TV 13 News in Eau Claire for excellence in Mission of Mercy media coverage and Lisa Malak and Millaine Wells of Green Bay’s WFRV-TV Local 5 Live! for welcoming nearly two dozen dentists and dental hygienists to the morning program to share important oral health information.

Dr. Monica Hebl received a Media Relations Award. A general dentist in Milwaukee, she frequently addresses print and electronic news media on important public health issues, such as reducing barriers to care and community water fluoridation.

Dr. Shaheda Govani of Oshkosh is this year’s New Dentist Leadership Award recipient. A 2010 Marquette University School of Dentistry grad, she actively mentors dental students, shares lessons learned about practice management and volunteers time to non-profits supporting the arts, environmental safety and fighting hunger.

Dr. Lysette Brueggeman and Dr. Michael Kopecky of West Bend together accepted this year’s WDA Outstanding Leadership in Mentoring Award. Mentor Program participants since 2004, this wife-husband team help students shape their careers and fulfill their professional dreams.

There are three 2016 WDA Award of Honor recipients. Attorney Peter Christianson of Madison worked on behalf of the WDA for 39 years, helping strengthen dentistry’s legislative voice.

State Sen. Roger Roth (R-Appleton) and State Rep. David Steffen (R-Howard) have been tireless advocates for the dental profession and Wisconsin residents’ oral health in the Wisconsin Legislature.