CHICAGO (October 6, 2003) - After 30 years of service to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), Harold E. "Hal" Donnell, Jr., CAE, area resident of Wilmette, Ill. and formerly from Towson, Md, will be closing this chapter of his life on Dec. 31, 2003. Donnell has served as the AGD's executive director, since 1974. At that time, the organization had approximately 10,000 members, a staff of nine and a budget of $565,000. Under his guidance, the AGD has grown into a 36,000-member association that employs 80 full-time staff, and an organization that manages a budget of $11.3 million. He will retire on December 31, 2003. Gerald "Jay" Donohue, Jr., CAE, CMP, will become the new AGD executive director starting January 1, 2004.
"Hal possesses the qualities of an extraordinary leader who has advanced the prominence of the AGD through professional growth and the development of continuing education studies," praises John D. Chandler, DDS, MAGD and president of the AGD. "Hal is widely respected by leaders and members within the dental community and other dental organizations, he has made an impact in the profession of general dentistry through his depth of knowledge, reservoir of history, leadership qualities and by maintaining the integrity of the AGD."
During his 30 years as executive director of the AGD, Donnell has experienced challenges and progress. "My biggest challenge was to build a floundering organization into one that gained the respect of the dental profession and the public through its emphasis on keeping general dentists up to date with their ever changing profession." says Donnell.
Donnell's dedication to the AGD is obvious through the many awards bestowed upon him during the past years, most recently the 2003 William Thomas Green Morton National Award for the Advancement of General Dentistry laureate and 2003 Albert Borish Award, the highest award given by the AGD.
Donnell was named honorary member of the Academy in 1982 for his leadership in improving continuing dental education, and he received an honorary Fellowship in 1993 for his contributions to the art and science of dentistry, and for enhancing Academy principles and ideals.
"Seeing the Academy's viewpoint prevail with dental organizations, gaining better recognition with the media and public and witnessing dentists taking pride in dental achievements are major parts of the Academy's progress," says Donnell.
Donnell's experience within the field of dentistry began at the Maryland State Dental Association where he served as the chief paid executive from 1966 to 1974. During that time, Donnell served as president of the Maryland Society of Association Executives from 1971 to 1972, and earned the title of Certified Association Executive in 1973.
Donnell received a bachelor's degree in Economics from Amherst College in Amherst, MA in 1957. After that, he served in the U.S. Army and attended the Finance School at Fort Benjamin Harrison.
Donnell has been married for 44 years to the former Rosemary Gatch and has two children, David and Laurie. Both siblings are married and live in Colorado. In addition, he has four grandchildren.
Academy of General Dentistry Accomplishments Over the Last 30 Years
1974 Increased membership almost 80 percent during the first two years with the Academy.
1975 Began representing the general dentist.
1976 Staff grew from nine to 21.
1977 Academy's first independent annual meeting in Montreal with exhibitors.
1978 Creation of the Fellowship Exam.
1979 Staff increases to 34.
1980 Four hundred members withdrawn for failing to meet Academy's 75-hour CE requirement.
1981 Staff reaches 43 full-time employees.
1984 Fellowship Exam becomes a requirement. San Francisco is largest annual meeting ever.
1985 Development of a National Sponsor Approval program, which later became the Program Approval for Continuing Education
1986 AGD Impact is identified as the most issue-oriented dental publication.
1987 Staff increases to 59.
1988 Media placement program reaches more than 200 million in six months.
1989 Staff reaches 62 full-time employees.
1990 Leadership conference created for Academy constituents.
1992 Pilot for SmileLine appears at the Annual Meeting.
1995 Removed the membership requirement of belonging to the American Dental Association.
1996 Held first annual meeting in conjunction with the American Dental Assistants' Association.
1998 Provided input into the first-ever Surgeon General's Report on oral health.
1999 Launched a new brand for the Academy
2000 The Academy's membership peaks at 37,301.
2001 FellowTrack-A Glidepath to Fellowship was created for senior dental students.
2002 Academy celebrates 50 years, by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Health and Human Services.
2003 Academy initiated a new program beyond Mastership to encourage lifelong learning.
The Academy of General Dentistry is a not-for-profit organization of more than 37,000 general dentists dedicated to staying up-to-date in the profession through continuing education. A general dentist is the primary care provider for patients of all ages and is responsible for the diagnosis, treatment, management and overall coordination of services related to patient's oral health needs.