Drs. Reneida Reyes, Steven Gounardes, Mitchell Mindlin and Craig Ratner for helping her along the way. She also recognized Dr. David Miller, chair of One Brooklyn Health and past NYSDA president, who appointed her to the ADA New Dentist Committee. To complete her amazing speech, Dr. Quartey-Sagaille quoted the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be.” The room went wild with roaring applause for their new president. Afterward, New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes praised the SDDS for all the work we do across the state and country and the impact that we have and for the patients we serve and the communities in which we work. Senator Gounardes holds the SDDS close to his heart and considers the SDDS to be part of his extended family and always looks forward to joining our events. He then bestowed a proclamation to Dr. Quartey-Sagaille for becoming president of the SDDS and later to Dr. Richard Oshrain as outgoing chairman of the GNYDM. Dr. Quartey-Sagaille then presented Dr. Steven Gounardes with the most prestigious award given to an SDDS member, the Distinguished Service Award. She then spoke about all Dr. Gounardes has accomplished and the many people he has mentored, including herself, and revealed this is only the 16th time this award has been bestowed. Dr. Gounardes served organized dentistry for over 40 years at every level, be it local, state or national. In 1985, he attended his first SDDS board meeting thanks to the late SDDS Past President Dr. Robert Halikias, who convinced him to attend and brought him to the meeting. After seeing how great and important organized dentistry is, Dr. Gounardes gradually became more involved and his wonderous association with the SDDS culminated in his presidency in 2002. In 2007, Dr. Gounardes was elected president of NYSDA. From 2010 to 2014, he was trustee to the ADA and then from 2016 to 2023 he was NYSDA’s speaker of the House, all while also serving on many committees, chairing committees, task forces and being a delegate to both NYSDA and the ADA. Dr. Gounardes is renowned for his parliamentary knowledge and is a certified parliamentarian. During his acceptance speech, Dr. Gounardes was humbled to be part of the legendary giants of the SDDS who had previously received the award. He indicated that his words of love could not fully express his gratitude on receiving the 2024 Distinguished Service Award and today’s acknowledgement by his peers is the pinnacle of his career. He went on to say that with all he offered to organized dentistry, “the SDDS returned it a thousand-fold” supporting him on every and “any path he travelled.” Dr. Gounardes then thanked everyone at the SDDS and SDDS Executive Director Mr. Bernard Hackett along Now available in Staten Island SDDS Immediate Past President Dr. Raymond Flagiello gives his farewell address with his residents from Woodhull hospital (Dr. Gounardes is GP director) that surprised him by being present at the installation. Looking in from the audience you could spot Dr. Gounardes’ family, who were all happily teary eyed proud, as they were acknowledged by Dr. Gounardes and recognized, along with his wife Dianne, for sharing this amazing day with him. The award ceremony resumed with Dr. Quarety-Sagaille presenting awards to Dr. Sari Rosenwein and Dr. William Bongiorno for serving on the SDDS Board of Trustees. Lifetime member awards were presented to 10 SDDS members. Dr. Deborah Pasquale received an award for her service on the NYSDA Council of Dental Education and Licensure and Dr. Mitchell Mindlin received an award for his service on the NYSDA Council on Nominations. Their praiseworthy work and assistance to the SDDS did not go unnoticed. The SDDS gives our sincere gratitude and appreciation to SDDS Executive Director Mr. Bernard Hackett, along with SDDS staff Ms. Christine Terrio, Ms. Stephanie Carter and Ms. Shayo Farinre, for their incredible work in promoting and elevating the SDDS. We truly appreciate their dedication. WWW.SDDSNY.ORG 5
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