Colleagues, Calling, and Care

Fellows of the College, Members of the Board of Regents, honored guests and families, I feel honored to be asked to share a few thoughts with you this afternoon at this meeting of an organization that I believe is tremendously important.

Once again, CONGRATULATIONS to the NEW FELLOWS who have just been inducted into the American College of Dentists. This ritual of induction is one that represents, in a symbolic manner, a BINDING together of those of you present today, as well as those across time, as a unique group of colleagues. It is an acknowledgement for some of you of your many accomplishments across years of service to the profession and for a SOME of you who are closer to the beginning of your professional life than the end the recognition of the POTENTIAL you have already shown for continued contribution in this esteemed and respected healthcare profession.

If you were able to attend the presentations this morning at the business meeting, you heard that the College was founded 102 years ago. This induction ceremony, in which you have just participated is a tradition that goes back 101 years even to the point of having similar academic garb to that you are wearing now. You are part of a long tradition here today.

Rituals and symbols are important in professions. Ceremonies like this, bind us TO each other and serve as tangible reminders that you are not just individuals, but part of a collective...COLLEAGUES who share esoteric knowledge, specialized skills and, especially in this ceremony, important values, at the top of which is the calling to provide care for a fellow human being whose health may be compromised in some way, sometimes very significantly. And, you are expected do so prior to any consideration of self-interest.