Call for 2026 Award Nominations


 

2026 Nominating Information

The GDA Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for several leadership positions. This is an opportunity to help shape the future of the Association by identifying members who are ready to serve and lead.

Below is an overview of the positions open for nomination, along with key deadlines and submission details.

Important Deadlines

  • State Officers, District Trustees, and At-Large Trustees:
    • Nominations are due May 27, 2026.
    • All Nominations will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee and presented to the House for approval at the Summer HOD Meeting.
  • ADA Delegation:
    • Nominations are due December 1, 2026.

All Nominations will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee and presented to the House for approval at the Winter HOD Meeting.

All nomination materials should be submitted to the GDA office either by email at jeannie@gadental.org or mail (1850 Parkway Place, Suite 420, Marietta, GA 30067).

To read more about each position’s job description, please click here. 

State Officer Opportunities

The Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for the following GDA officer roles:

  • Vice President: to serve a 1-year term starting January 1, 2027.

Automatically becomes President-Elect at the end of the term.

Candidates must be members in good standing who have submitted their CV to the GDA office by the deadline. Candidates must also have demonstrated leadership by serving on the district, state, or national level.

District Trustee Opportunities

The Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for the following District Trustee positions:

  • Eastern District Trustee: to serve a 3-year term starting January 1, 2027.

    Currently Serving: Brad Hall (serving final term – district must replace).

  • Southeastern District Trustee: to serve a 3-year term starting January 1, 2027.

Currently Serving: Becky Aspinwall (serving final term – district must replace).   

Districts must submit their candidate’s CV along with a letter of support. Candidates must be GDA members in good standing and have demonstrated leadership through service at the district, state, or national level.

At-Large Trustee Opportunities

The Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for the following At-Large Trustee positions:

  • At-Large Trustee: to serve a 3-year term starting January 1, 2027.

    Currently Serving: Pinkney Gilchrist (eligible to serve an additional term).

  • At-Large Trustee: to serve a 3-year term starting January 1, 2027.

    Currently Serving: Hank Bradford (eligible to serve an additional term).

  • At-Large Trustee: to serve a 3-year term starting January 1, 2027.

    Currently Serving: Jessica Brown (eligible to serve an additional term).

Candidates must be members in good standing who have submitted their CV to the GDA office by the deadline. Candidates must also have demonstrated leadership by serving on the district, state or national level.

ADA Delegation Opportunities

The Nominating Committee is accepting nominations for the following ADA Delegation positions:

  • Western District Delegate: to serve a 4-year term starting January 1, 2027.

    Currently Serving: Rene Roberts (eligible to serve an additional term).   

  • At-Large Delegate: to serve a 4-year term starting January 1, 2027.

    Currently Serving: John Sigman (eligible to serve an additional term).   

  • At-Large Alternate Delegate: to serve a 4-year term starting January 1, 2027.

Currently Serving: Annette Rainge (eligible to serve an additional term).   

Candidates must be a member of the GDA for at least 5 years and be a practicing dentist and/or dental educator in good standing. It would be beneficial if the candidate has held office locally, statewide or nationally since networking skills are important. Service on an ADA Commission or Council and involvement in other dental organizations is also helpful.

Candidates for district delegate positions are required to submit a written endorsement from their district dental society along with their CV (at-large delegates/alternate delegates are exempt from this requirement). 

  • Call for 2027 Award Nominations


    The GDA’s Awards Council is actively seeking nominations for 2027 award recipients for Honorable Fellow, Community Service, Oral Discoveries and Inventions, and Award of Merit. All nominations and corresponding documentation should be submitted to the GDA office via email to jeannie@gadental.org by November 1, 2026.

    In order to be considered for one of these awards, candidates should exhibit the following qualifications:

    Honorable Fellow: Distinguished service to the GDA, either through active participation in the GDA or the local component society. Candidates must have active membership in the GDA for at least 10 consecutive years.

    Nominations for Honorable Fellow must include:

    • Completed Biographical Profile (click here to access form)
    • Curriculum Vita of Nominee
    • Letter from the District Awards Chair attesting to the district’s support of nominee
    • Letter from the District President attesting to the district’s support of the nominee

    Oral Discoveries and Inventions: A GDA member who has made significant contributions in the area of oral discoveries or inventions. Self-recommendations will not be accepted.

    Nominations for the Oral Discoveries and Inventions Award must include:

    • Completed Biographical Profile (click here to access form)
    • Curriculum Vita of Nominee
    • Letter from the District Awards Chair attesting to the district’s support of nominee
    • Letter from the District President attesting to the district’s support of the nominee

    Supporting documentation as to the value of the invention or discovery

    Community Service: This award recognizes GDA members who distinguishes him or herself by extraordinary service to the quality of life and health of persons in their local, state, national, or international community via the field of dentistry. Qualifications include contributing significantly to enriching the quality of life and improving the health of those served, and outstanding leadership and humanitarian volunteer accomplishments. Candidates must have active membership in the GDA for at least 10 consecutive years.

    Nominations for the Community Service Award must include:

    • Completed Community Service Profile (click here to access form)
    • Curriculum Vita of Nominee
    • Letter from the District Awards Chair attesting to the district’s support of nominee
    • Letter from the District President attesting to the district’s support of the nominee

    Supporting documentation as described on the Community Service Profile form

    Award of Merit: It is the intent that this award be given only when a candidate has truly exhibited service and merit above recognized standards and may not necessarily be given each year. It is not necessary that the exemplary service and merit shall have been exhibited in the specific year of consideration. It is the intention that the GDA Award of Merit be the highest honor that the GDA can bestow upon a member, and in keeping, the standards for judging a candidate shall be the highest possible.

    Nominations for the Award of Merit must include:

    • Completed Biographical Profile (click here to access form)
    • Curriculum Vita of Nominee
    • Letter from the District Awards Chair attesting to the district’s support of nominee
    • Letter from the District President attesting to the district’s support of the nominee
    • As many supporting letters or pieces of documentation as would be sufficient to convey the accomplishments of the nominee