March 2020 - The Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine chapter of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) headed to St. Louis, MO for the organization’s Annual Session. The Annual Session is the official meeting of ASDA’s House of Delegates, bringing together over 400 dental students and professionals from throughout the United States to debate issues, set policy, and elect the new ASDA National Officers. The event ends with a celebration at the themed gala.
This year, one Stony Brook student earned some of ASDA’s highest accolades. Joe Manzella, Class of 2021 and now Immediate Past-President of the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine ASDA chapter, was honored with a coveted Gold Crown Award as District Two’s “Delegate of the Year.” This award recognizes ASDA members who “…serve to increase membership, interact with state and local dental societies and encourage members to seek national and regional leadership positions.”
But Joe’s laurels were not yet finished accumulating. On the final day of the conference, Joe was elected National ASDA Speaker of the House of Delegates. After an arduous campaign, caucusing, and a moving speech during which Joe spoke about managing mental health and wellness, and how those experiences shaped his outlook on life, Joe’s vision for ASDA and organized dentistry was rewarded by election to this prestigious position.
“I came away from ASDA’s Annual Session feeling immensely grateful for the recognition of my work and the opportunity I was given to serve the association as Speaker in my final year as a dental student,” said Joe. “I have spectacular plans for the year ahead in this role as Speaker.”
“Joe’s passion for organized dentistry and advocacy for the profession and its patients has been clear throughout his time within the School of Dental Medicine,” said Dr. Mary Truhlar, Dean. “We congratulate Joe on this recognition and look forward to seeing his accomplishments on a national stage as a great representative of the School of Dental Medicine and its students.”
Photo: ©Caught in the Moment | ASDA 2020-21 Speaker of the House of Delegates Joseph Manzella, Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine ’21 (R) accepting the gavel from his predecessor, Anisha Pandaya, Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine ’20.
