BACKGROUND

Established in 1998, the ADEA IWLC has evolved into an extraordinary international event recognizing women’s leadership across the global health workforce. This year marks the sixth conference, which convened a diverse and inspiring community from around the world to explore essential knowledge for successful and informed leadership. Attendees included dental educators, school administrators, corporate leaders, health policy advocates, governmental and foundation representatives and others committed to supporting gender equity in oral health and advancing women’s leadership in public health, academic dentistry and research. 

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ADEA IWLC Planning Committee Chair, Dr. Lily T. Garcia

Dr. Lily T. Garcia chaired the planning committee for this important meeting. She noted, “The 2019 ADEA IWLC conference convened a diverse array of attendees from around the world committed to advancing women’s leadership in global health, academic dentistry and research.”

One hundred and twenty attendees from 22 countries learned from panels of women leaders in dental education from around the world who shared their insights and strategies for success based on experiences in leadership throughout their careers.  Many sessions provided attendees with opportunities for interactive discussions and expanded their global networks.   

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PURPOSE

Recognizing the value of bringing together women and men from all over the globe to share, discuss, motivate and collaborate, ADEA convened the 2019 IWLC to provide varied formats to do just that. 

Inspirational keynote speakers, panels, breakout sessions, poster presentations, receptions and meals were all opportunities for participants to connect on a professional and personal level.

What were some of the personal reasons participants attended ADEA 2019 IWLC?

“I came to be energized and to network, network, network.”

“To be empowered...”

View a detailed digital program
Program designed and published by AEGIS Communications.

View speaker bios and career-life balance stories.

Welcome Reception

Presenters framed the meeting as focused on creating a global network among the attendees, introduced a program that allows attendees to practice the use of leadership tools and learn from experts, and enabled attendees to reflect on personal abilities and leverage their individual capacities to grow professionally. Dr. Corrado Paganelli spoiled participants with an Italian, four-star caterer who provided food and refreshments for the reception, breaks and meals.

ADEA IWLC Welcome Remarks and Introductions

Presenter(s):

Lily Garcia, D.D.S., M.S., FACP, Dean, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Dental Medicine and Chair, ADEA IWLC VI Planning Committee
Henry Gremillion, D.D.S., MAGD, Chair of the ADEA Board of Directors
Corrado Paganelli, Professor and Dean, School of Dentistry at the Università degli Studi di Brescia, Italy

Thank you to AEGIS Communications for photography and videography.

ADEA IWLC—The Impact of Women Leaders in Global Health

Presenter(s):

Lily Garcia, D.D.S., M.S., FACP, Dean, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Dental Medicine and Chair, ADEA IWLC VI Planning Committee
Lois Cohen, Ph.D.
Richard Valachovic, D.M.D., M.P.H., ADEA Past President and CEO

Introduction to ePosters

Presenter(s):

Denice Stewart, D.D.S., M.H.S.A., ADEA Chief Policy Officer 

Learning Perspective I: Self-awareness and Personal Strengths Using Negotiation Skills to Enhance Women’s Leadership

In this session, participants learned basic skills involved in “Principled Negotiation” to understand why this approach achieves better results than more traditional “Positional Negotiation.” Judith Albino, Ph.D., focused on gender differences in negotiation communications and how women’s socialization and interaction skills support the new models for negotiation and leadership. Participants practiced their negotiation skills and explored their feelings as they role-played different workplace scenarios.

• Getting beyond compromise—moving to a win-win through building relationship.
• Be empowered through empathy and knowledge.

Presenter(s):

Judith Albino, Ph.D., President Emerita and Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine and School of Public Health

Learning Perspectives II: Perspectives of Self to Navigate Within Your Institution

In this session, four different presenters shared their personal stories and illustrated how they used their strengths to navigate their institutions or communities. Then, while enjoying lunch, participants networked, shared stories and asked relevant questions in small, informal groups formed around topics of interest. Key themes that emerged during the session:

• Seek out mentorship and feedback from women in leadership.
• Strength comes from love, support of family and friends.
• Work hard and never give up; be resilient.
• Develop your networks and be intentional about it.
• Take time to self-reflect and build relationships.
• Have courage to take risks to advance. 
• Seek out administrative roles. 
• Know your inner compass.
• Inspire others and have gratitude. 

Moderator:

Cristina Manzanares, M.D., Ph.D., University of Barcelona

Panel Member(s):

Research Focus - Bringing National Success for Local Engagement
Tamanna Tiwari, M.P.H., M.D.S., B.D.S., Assistant Professor, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine

Education Focus - Facilitating Change in Curriculum
Michelle M. Krupp, M.S., Assistant Dean, The University of Iowa College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics

Clinical Focus - Advancing Clinical Expertise
Lara Bakaeen, D.D.S., M.S.

Management Focus - Leadership in Adversity
Ana N. López-Fuentes, D.M.D., M.P.H., FACD, FICD, Professor, University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine

Learning Perspective III: Awareness of World Activities

Each presenter provided her story of how she has used her strengths to overcome new challenges and make an impact. They described the challenges and opportunities that are unique to their situation or country. Key themes that emerged during the session:

• Family / life balance had a profound impact on their careers.
• Many of the presenters actively sought administrative roles even while encountering resistance.
• The opportunity to conduct research and support women in research was important.
• Many had to negotiate inequities of service expectations when compared to men.
• Women need to be involved in policy formation to support equity.
• In lieu of a mentor, remind yourself of your accomplishments, know your inner compass and draw on strength from family.
• Have the courage to push against the norms. 

Moderator:

Cathia Bergeron, D.M.D., M.S., Dean, Université Laval Faculté de Médicine Dentaire

Presenter(s):

Impact of Oral Health in Saudi Arabia
Ebtissam Al-Madi, B.D.S., M.S.D., FACD, Associate Professor, College of Dentistry, King Saud University

Impact of Innovation
Maria-Pau Ginebra Molins, Ph.D., Professor, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

Impact of Oral Health Globally
Yolande Koffi Gnagne, D.D.S., Associate Professor and Dean, Abidjan School of Dentistry and Stomatology

Impact of Organizations for Science
Rena D’Souza, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., Professor, University of Utah School of Dentistry

Impact on Patient Care: Interprofessional Education
Sandra C. Andrieu, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Louisiana State University Health New Orleans School of Dentistry

Impact on Health Care Teams
Lisa A. Tedesco, Ph.D., Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean, Emory University

Summary Remarks
Lily Garcia, D.D.S., M.S., FACP, Chair, ADEA IWLC VI Planning Committee

Learning Perspective IV: Mentorship
Guided Dialogue on Topics from the Previous Day’s Table Discussions

Panelists and attendees discussed takeaways from their designated tables on what they learned and the input from other attendees. The moderators helped summarize the topics and offered reflective insights. Participants focused on building a network and identifying a mentor. A leadership panel shared their stories, leadership learning and professional pathway highlights. Key themes that emerged during the table discussions:

• Leadership involves creating partnerships and collaborations and developing a team.
• Family and life balance were viewed as an essential part of leadership.
• Mentorship is key component of leadership as is cultivating self-efficacy.
• Leaders require both resilience and grit. 

Moderator(s):

Melanie E. Mayberry, D.D.S., M.S.-HCM, Associate Professor, University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry

Sophia Saeed, D.M.D., Chair and Professor-in-Residence, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Dental Medicine

Panel Member(s):

Research Focus
Rena D’Souza, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., Professor, University of Utah School of Dentistry
Tamanna Tiwari, M.P.H., M.D.S., B.D.S., Assistant Professor, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine

Education Focus
Isabel Garcia, D.D.S., M.P.H., Dean, University of Florida College of Dentistry
Denise Kassebaum, D.D.S., M.S., Dean and Professor, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine

Leadership Panel IV: Leadership Learning and Professional Pathway Highlights

Key themes that emerged during the panel:

• Build your leadership on trust, honesty and credibility through hard work.
• Lead by example and with care to support of others.
• Be resilient, stay calm and don’t make it personal. 
• Reflect and re-charge and practice “self-management”.

Presenter(s):

Sophia Saeed, D.M.D., Professor and Residence and Department Chair of Clinical Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Dental Medicine
Ebtissam Al-Madi, B.D.S., M.S.D., FACD, Associate Professor of Endodontics, college of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Cathia Bergeron, D.M.D., M.S., Dean, Université Laval Faculté de Médecine Dentaire in Québec City, Canada
Kathryn Kell, D.D.S., M.H.C.A., President, FDI World Dental Federation
Kor Hok Sim, D.D.S., M.S., Vice Dean, International University Cambodia

Panelists addressed the discussion questions of:

1. What do you see as next steps?
2. Is there a global entity to connect beyond this meeting?
3. How do we package the energy and momentum to sustain it?

Be authentic, dare to be different, explore new opportunities – go for it!

Moderator(s):

Lily Garcia, D.D.S., M.S., FACP, Chair, ADEA IWLC VI Planning Committee
Denice Stewart, D.D.S., M.H.S.A., ADEA Chief Policy Officer

Closing Comments and Adjournment

Presenter(s):

Lily Garcia, D.D.S., M.S., FACP, Chair, ADEA IWLC VI Planning Committee
Denice Stewart, D.D.S., M.H.S.A., ADEA Chief Policy Officer
Karen West, D.M.D., M.P.H., ADEA President and CEO
Henry Gremillion, D.D.S., MAGD

Thank you to AEGIS Communications for photography and videography.