PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ—The Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity recently announced the appointment of Michael Kampel, DMD to International President. He was installed at the Fraternity’s 97th Annual International Convention, which was held December 25, 2004 through January 1, 2005 in Vancouver, Canada. The Fraternity has nearly 100 years of leadership in aggressively overcoming bigotry and embracing ethnic diversity. The goal of the Fraternity—and the heart of Michael’s vision—is to maintain and further instill in leading dental associations the importance of keeping the same high standards through inclusion, tolerance and mutual respect. Building worldwide alumni relations is also a key goal for Michael, who plans to put forth efforts to help strengthen ties and cultivate continued loyalty to the established Fraternity.
“In existence for almost a century, Alpha Omega has truly come a long way,” said Michael. “The Fraternity remains a revered and viable entity, with a proud history and a future that holds much promise. I look forward to the coming years and to working together with everyone to bring about changes for the good of the entire community.” Michael will assume a one-year term.
Alpha Omega: A Family Affair…
Raised in an Alpha Omegan home, Michael attended his first convention when he was just six months old. Maturing within the dental Fraternity over the years, Michael joined the Omicron Chapter at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine in 1969. During his second year as a dental student, he began his international activities on behalf of Alpha Omega and was elected International Representative. In 1981, Michael began to take on additional responsibilities on the executive side of Alpha Omega. Ten years later, in 1991, he was named marshal for the Fraternity’s annual International Convention held in New York.
In 2001, he was elected treasurer of Alpha Omega and later served as president-elect. “Michael brings an incredible wealth of knowledge and wisdom to Alpha Omega,” says Howard Pranikoff, immediate past International president. “He is actively committed to the betterment and advancement of the Fraternity. I have no doubt in my mind he will strive to maintain continued growth and success for our organization.”
In addition to his role in Alpha Omega, Michael teaches communication skills to dentists and their professional teams throughout the United States with Dental Boot Kamp, a leading dental education continuum. He taught as an adjunct clinical professor at Farmingdale State University of New York (SUNY) and SUNY at Stony Brook Dental School.
Also installed at this year’s convention were the following:
• Steve Braunstein, International President-Elect
• Mark DuVal, International Student Representative
• Sharon Perlmutter, International Director at Large
• Thierry Roos, Regional Director, International
• Jeff Rosenberg, Regional Director, USA
• Tali Shani, International Student Representative
• Dan Uditsky, Editor
The next Alpha Omega International Convention will take place in Hollywood, Florida from Sunday, December 25, 2005 through Sunday, January 1, 2006 at the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa. For more information about Alpha Omega or to register for the 2005 Convention, visit www.ao.org or contact Cheryl Oribabor at 1-609-799-6000, x. 46; or email coribabor@cmasolutions.com.
About Alpha Omega
Representing over 7,000 dentists worldwide, Alpha Omega is the oldest international dental organization in the world. Based on professional excellence, fraternalism and Judaic values, the Fraternity was founded in Baltimore, Maryland in 1907 by a group of dental students looking to help fight discrimination in dental schools. Today, with its headquarters relocated to Princeton Junction, NJ, Alpha Omega is primarily an educational and philanthropic organization with chapters and members in cities and dental schools all over the world, including the United States, Canada, Europe, Israel, South Africa, South America and Australia/New Zealand.