Invited Speakers and Panelists
LAURA ACOSTA, PHD
Presidenta de la Federación Mexicana de Facultades y Escuelas de Odontología (FMFEO)
Dr. Laura Acosta got her dental degree and PHD at the School of Dentistry at the National University of Mexico (UNAM).
She chaired the Mexican Division of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) (2022-2024). She is the current Chair of the Mexican Federation of Dental Schools in Mexico (FMFEO) Member of the National Academy of Medicine of Mexico.
Dr. Acosta is the dean at the National School of Higher Studies Unit León of the UNAM (since 2017), and past head of the Master’s and Doctorate Program at the Medical, Dental and Health Sciences Schools at the ENES León of the UNAM (20122017). Dr. Acosta is a renowned national and international speaker.
PÅL BARKVOLL, DDS, PHD
University of Oslo, Norway, Professor; Association for Dental Education in Europe, President
Prof Dr Pål Barkvoll is an experienced administrator and professor of Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway, with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. A former Dean and Head of Dental Services he is skilled in Clinical Research, Medical Education, Life Sciences, Epidemiology, and Medical Devices. He has a strong education professional background. Professor Barkvoll has also holds qualifications in Military and Strategic Leadership from The Norwegian Military Academy. He is for the moment president for ADEE (Association for Dental Education in Europe).
IHSANE BEN YAHYA, DDS, PHD
Faculty of Dental Medicine, University Mohammed VI of Health and Sciences; FDI/World Dental Federation, President
Professor Insane Ben Yahya is a professor of Higher Education in the Dental University of Casablanca. She is the Dean of the Dental Faculty at the Medicine University Mohammed VI of Health Sciences in Casablanca. She is also the head of Oral Surgery at the Oral Surgery Clinical Department at the Chu Ibn Rochd hospital in Casablanca, Morocco.
Professor Ben Yahya is the current President of the FDI World Dental Federation. She is also the coordinator for North Africa countries, North Africa and Middle east chapter in the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future. She serves as the President and founding member of the Moroccan Dental Association (Association Marocaine de Prevention Bucco Dentair) and member of the French National Academy of Oral Surgery (Academie Française de chirugie Dentaire).
HABIB BENZIAN, DDS, PHD, MSCDPH
New York University WHO Collaborating Center Quality Improvement & Evidence-based Dentistry, Department of Epidemiology & Health Promotion, College of Dentistry, New York University, Professor and Co-Director
Habib Benzian is Co-Director of the only WHO Collaborating Center on oral health in the PAHO region. In various capacities during the last 20 years, he has been at the forefront of global advocacy to end the neglect of oral health.
As expert in international public health, health policy, NCDs, as well as school health and WASH in schools, he works at the intersection of academia, policy and practice. He is adviser to the WHO, UNICEF, governments and donor agencies and supported major policy processes at global, regional and national level, including the WHO Global Strategy on Oral Health and the Global Oral Health Action Plan.
He was also part of the editorial team of the first-ever WHO Global Oral Health Status Report; currently he is Global Health Research Fellow at the Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Studies, researching global oral health governance and political priority setting.
GOVERNOR STEVEN BESHEAR, JD Former Governor of Kentucky
Steve Beshear served as the 61st Governor of Kentucky from 2007-2015. He also served as Kentucky’s Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor and State Representative. As Governor, he expanded the Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act and launched the Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange, benefiting over 500,000 Kentuckians; successfully brought Kentucky through the historic recession by making Kentucky a leader in job creation; and made Kentucky a national leader in education reform. Governor Beshear holds a bachelor’s degree and a law degree from the University of Kentucky. He authored People Over Politics, served as a Harvard Public Health School Menschel Senior Leadership Fellow, a Harvard Kennedy School Visiting Fellow, and a University of Kentucky Visiting Scholar.
Governor Beshear and his wife, Jane, reside in Lexington, Kentucky. They have two sons, Jeff, an equine veterinarian, and Andy, Kentucky’s 63rd Governor, and three grandchildren.
LOIS COHEN, PHD Consultant & Paul G. Rogers Ambassador for Global Health Research
Consultant and Paul G. Rogers Ambassador for Global Health Research, she is a research sociologist, retired from the U.S. Government’s National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research where she served as the Associate Director for International Health. Having edited and authored four volumes on the social sciences and dentistry and published 150+ articles in professional peer-reviewed journals, she is purported to be the architect of the behavioral & social sciences in the oral health field. She co-directed two major multinational collaborative studies on oral health systems with the World Health Organization and led a WHO Collaborative Center for 20 years.
Currently, she serves as a consultant to the WHO as well as various universities and organizations focused on global health through oral health.
JAIME EDELSON, DDS Fundación ADM, IAP, Chair
Jaime Edelson Tishman attended dental school at the Universidad Tecnológica de México; residency in Family Dentistry at the University of Connecticut.
Dr. Edelson is past president, ADM; past councilor, FDI; Chair, Fundación ADM, IAP; and a Honorary member of the Universidad Tecnológica de México Health Science Council.
In 2016 he conceived a policy for mandatory tooth brushing in preschool and elementary public schools, which was later enacted as a law in Mexico City. Similar laws are now in place in17 states in Mexico impacting more than 14 million children ages 3-12 years.
Since 1980, Dr. Edelson has practiced family dentistry with emphasis on implant dentistry and oral rehabilitation in Mexico City.
JULIAN FISHER, BDS, MSC, MIH Zero Water Day Partnership, Director
Julian Fisher is an educator and policy analyst with focused expertise in social determinants of health, planetary and human health in all policy approaches, lifelong learning and health workforce education.
Julian is Director of Zero Water Day Partnership, an international NGO based in Germany. He holds adjunct teaching positions; Adjunct Professor Penn Dental Medicine, (University of Pennsylvania, USA), Research Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (SUNY Upstate Medical University, New York, USA), and Research Assistant Professor, School of Health Sciences and Public Health (University of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia).
His work experience covers a diverse range of professional domains including international public health policy and advocacy (consultancies for UN agencies including WHO, UNESCO & UNEP), health profession (federation) management, health workforce undergraduate and post graduate education, both classroom and web based.
MICHAEL GLICK, DMD
Center for Integrative Global Oral Health, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Professor and Executive Director
Michael Glick is Professor and Executive Director, Center for Integrative Global Oral Health, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Glick has authored more than 350 publications, including original research articles, editorials, and book chapters, and has authored, edited and co-edited 10 textbooks.
Dr. Glick is the immediate past Dean, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, past-President of the American Board of Oral Medicine and served as Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of the American Dental Association from 2005 to 2020.
JOHN KEMP, JD Lakeshore Foundation, President and CEO
John D. Kemp, Esq., President & CEO of Lakeshore Foundation, is an internationally recognized organization providing opportunities for individuals with physical disability and chronic health conditions to lead healthy, active, independent lives. Located in Birmingham, Alabama, Lakeshore also serves as a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training site, a center for research and with the disability community, a strong advocate for inclusion. Mr. Kemp launched his most recent and widely acclaimed book, Disability Friendly: How to Move from Clueless to Inclusive, published by Wiley Publishing, in October, 2022 and which is available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online booksellers’ sites.
Widely respected for his many achievements in the corporate and nonprofit worlds and his leadership in the disability movement, Mr. Kemp, a person with a disability, co-founded the American Association of People with Disabilities and has held a variety of CEO and senior executive positions with national and international nonprofits.
He was honored with the Henry B. Betts Award, widely regarded as America’s highest honor for disability leadership and service.
He is also the recipient of the Dole Leadership Prize, joining a prestigious group of international recipients including Nelson Mandela and two former U.S. Presidents. In addition, Mr. Kemp chairs Delta Air Lines’ Advisory Board on Disability.
A graduate of Georgetown University and Washburn University School of Law, Mr. Kemp and his wife, Sameta, enjoy spending time with their family, including five grandsons.
STEFAN LISTL, DMD, PHD Radboud University, Professor; University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Adjunct Professor
Stefan Listl is a dentist and economist. He is full professor in Quality and Safety of Oral Health Care at Radboud University, director of the Translational Health Economics Section at Heidelberg University, and an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Stefan is a member of the Lancet Commission on Global Oral Health and was as steering committee member for the WHO Global Oral Health Status Report. He contributed to the FDI Vision 2030 report and the NIH Report on Oral Health in America. Stefan spoke at oral health events during UN HighLevel Meetings and at the EU Parliament. He is author of more than 120 journal publications. His total grant acquisition exceeds $24 million.
FRANCISCO JAVIER MARICHI RODRÍGUEZ CD, MSD, PHD
Facultad de Odontología Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Dean
Currently Dean of the Facultad de Odontologia of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico(UNAM). He received his Dental Degree, his specialty in orthodontics, his MSD and PhD from UNAM. Awarded with the “Gabino Barreda” and “Alfonso Caso” Honor medals. Researcher focused in orthodontics tooth movement biology, acceleration of tooth movement, characteristics of ideal occlusions and control of biofilm in oral cavity. He is a national and international lecturer and has registered national and international patents.
SIR MICHAEL MARMOT, CH, MBBS, MPH, PHD, FRCP, FFPHM, FMEDSCI, FBA University College London, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health
Professor Sir Michael G. Marmot is Director of the Institute of Health Equity (UCL Department of Epidemiology & Public Health). Sir Marmot has been Professor of Epidemiology at University College London since 1985. He is the author of The Health Gap: the challenge of an unequal world (Bloomsbury: 2015), and Status Syndrome: how your place on the social gradient directly affects your health (Bloomsbury: 2004).
Professor Marmot is the Advisor to the WHO Director-General, on social determinants of health, in the new WHO Division of Healthier Populations; Distinguished Visiting Professor at Chinese University of Hong Kong (2019-), and co-Director of the of the CUHK Institute of Health Equity. Marmot has led research groups on health inequalities for nearly 50 years. He chaired the Commission on Equity and Health Inequalities in the Americas and chaired the Commission on Social Determinants of Health (CSDH), and produced the report entitled: ‘Closing the Gap in a Generation’ in August 2008. In 2000 he was knighted by Her Majesty The Queen, for services to epidemiology and the understanding of health inequalities
MYECHIA MINTER-JORDAN, MD, MBA CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, President and CEO
Myechia Minter-Jordan, MD, MBA, serves as the president and CEO of the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. A physician and business executive, Myechia leads a dynamic team of professional and clinical experts. Through Myechia’s leadership, CareQuest Institute operates as a catalyst for systems change, bringing forth ideas and solutions to create a more equitable, accessible, and integrated health system for everyone. Myechia continues to shine a national spotlight on the importance of ending deep social inequity. In 2020, Myechia joined 18 other Black and Brown executives in Massachusetts as a founding leader of The New Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund (NCF).
Before joining CareQuest Institute, Myechia served as chief medical officer and CEO of the Dimock Center in Massachusetts.
Myechia also invests personal time in her community, serving on several boards and committees, including BlueShield of California, The Boston Foundation, Point 32 Health, Yawkey Foundation, and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. Previously, she held appointed positions for influential agencies, including the Massachusetts Health Planning Council Advisory Committee and the City of Boston Public Health Commission.
Myechia earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from Brown University School of Medicine and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business. She also received honorary doctorates from Northeastern University and Newbury College.
LENA NATAPOV, DMD, MPH, MPA Ministry of Health, Israel, Chief Dental Officer
Dr. Lena Natapov is the Chief Dental Officer, MOH, Israel.
Dr. Natapov is a certified Dental Public Health specialist, holds an MPH degree from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem, and an MPA degree from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Dr. Natapov has wide experience in her field and manages a specialization program in Dental Public Health at the MOH. She received the Civil Service Innovation Award for developing a community dental caries prevention program. Over the last few years Dr. Natapov was instrumental in planning and overseeing dental care reform, including the provision of these services by the HMO’s to the population.
ALLISON NEALE, MPP Vice President, Managing Director, Henry Schein Cares Foundation
Allison Neale has worked in global health and corporate social responsibility for twenty-five years. As Henry Schein’s Vice President of Public Policy, Allison leads the company’s public policy and global health engagement by partnering with government, industry groups, nongovernmental and intergovernmental organizations. Allison also serves as Managing Director of the Henry Schein Cares Foundation.
Allison serves as Chairwoman of the Private Sector Roundtable on Global Health Security, Chairwoman of the Gold Foundation Corporate Council, and leads the company’s engagement with the UN Global Humanitarian Action Executive Alliance, and various engagements with the World Economic Forum and World Health Organization.
Allison received her Master in Public Policy degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School, where she was awarded the Pforzheimer Merit Fellowship, and received her Bachelor’s Degree magna cum laude from Tufts University.
BRIAN O’CONNELL, BDS, PHD Trinity College Dublin, Dean; International Association of Dental Research, President
Brian O’Connell graduated in dentistry from the National University of Ireland and completed postgraduate training in Prosthodontics and Biochemistry at the Eastman Dental Center-University of Rochester, New York. He continued his postdoctoral work at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, NIH. Brian is Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences in Trinity College Dublin. He is an investigator in the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing and advocates for greater emphasis on research for oral health. He is currently President of the International Association for Dental Research and a member of the Platform for Better Oral Health in Europe.
ROLANDO PENICHE MARCIN, CD, MSD Presidente de la Federación Internacional de Facultades y Escuelas de Odontología, Director de la Facultad de Odontología Universidad Anáhuac Mayab, Especialista en Periodoncia y Maestría en Ciencias Humanas
Doctor Rolando began his professional career in the early 70’s, specializing in Periodontics, teaching and got a Master’s in Human Sciences. During his first 30 years, he served as a professor at Universidad Autónoma de Yucatan, highlighting his positions as Academic Secretary and Dean. He was the first president of Federación Mexicana de Escualos y Facultades de
Odontologia (FMFEO) and the Consejo Nacional de Educación Odontologica (CONAEDO); He is currently Dean of the Universidad Anáhuac Merida Dental School and chair of the Federación Iberolatinoamericana de Escuelas y Facultades de odontologia (FIEFO). He has collaborated in various publications and recipient of the Margarita Chorne y Salazar National Merit Award in Dentistry.
GARRY RAYANT, BDS, DDS, LDSRCS, MS
Emeritus Editor-in-Chief, Co-Founder, and Partner in Dear Doctor Magazine, Inc
Garry A. Rayant is a healthcare professional, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He retired from part-time clinical periodontal practice in San Francisco in 2018. He was Co-founder, Partner and Editor-in-chief, Dear Doctor Magazine Inc., (Dentistry & Oral Health), multimedia consumer print and online. He is a member of the Board of Directors Epic Cleantec, a water reuse company for the modern world. His interests include healthcare, education and political advocacy. He serves as: Chair, Advisory Council, Center for Children and Youth, JFCS, San Francisco; International Board of Governors of Tel Aviv University; Vice Chair, American Friends of Tel Aviv University; Board of Advisors of the SDM, University of Pennsylvania; Tulane University’s President’s Council; Aipac National Council.
MARIA RYAN, DDS, PHD
Colgate-Palmolive Company, Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer
Maria Emanuel Ryan is Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer at the Colgate-Palmolive Company where she provides oversight and leadership to dental and dermal clinical organizations, knowledge management and scientific communications teams. Dr. Ryan previously served as Professor and Chair of the Department of Oral Biology and Pathology at Stony Brook University. She is the Past President of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) and has served on many academic and foundation boards. Dr. Ryan has received numerous awards including NIH National Research Service Awards and a Physician
Scientist Award. She was the recipient of the New Dentist Leadership Award from the Dental Society of the State of New York and received an achievement award from the American Dental Association. Dr. Ryan was the first recipient of the Victress Health Award. Dr. Ryan is a Distinguished Alumnus of Stony Brook’s School of Dental Medicine and was a Fellow of the Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Program for Women at Drexel University College of Medicine. Dr. Ryan is a nationally and internationally known speaker and author who has appeared on multiple media outlets to discuss the role of the dental professional in the provision of optimal overall health care.
AYUB SAFAR
Dental Business Owner Company Laboratorios Gayz SA DE CV; Agrupacion Mexicana de la Industria y el Comercio Dental, President
Mr. Ayub Safar is the current chair of the Mexican Association of Dental Manufacturers and Distributors in Mexico (AMIC Dental). He chairs the Bi-annual AMIC Dental Expo in Mexico City involving around 35,000 attendees in each meeting. He has been all his life a prominent entrepreneur in the dental business and is currently the CEO at Laboratorios Gays. He is the past chair and currently board member of the Lebanese Center in Mexico. Mr. Safar has always been a very strong promotor of Dental Continuing Education and the Certification of General Dentists in Mexico.
MIRCO STIEHLE
Ivoclar Vivadent, Head LatAm
Mr. Mirco Stiehle, a German national with more than 25 years of experience in the international dental market. Having served in multiple senior leadership functions as a Managing Director and President, for private, public and start up dental companies, provides as base for understanding needs and trends in global dental markets. Living in Japan as well as being responsible for Europe, Asia and North American markets during his assignments created his passion about improving oral care globally. Mr. Stiehle is married and a father of three. He currently resides in Utah.
DEBORAH WEISFUSE, MS, DMD Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders, President
Deborah Weisfuse is currently the President of the Alliance for Oral Health Across Borders, a CODA Commissioner, Consultant to the National Academy of Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering, Advisory to the Board of the New York County Dental Society, Advisory Board member of Project Accessible Oral Health, and Board member of American Friends of Dental Volunteers for Israel. She is retired from practicing general dentistry at this time. She has received honorary fellowships that include FAGD, FACD, FICD, FPFA, FNYAD, and FIADFE. She has received the ADA Jeffrey Dalin Volunteer Award for Distinguished Service, and served on several ADA committees. She has received a proclamation from the Assembly of the State of New York and has received many other acknowledgements for her contributions in the field of oral health. She has the distinction of having been the only woman president of the New York State Dental Association. She received a MS in biomedical research from SUNY Downstate Medical Center, and her DMD from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Her GPR in Geriatrics and year as Chief GPR Resident were both at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, now known as Northwell in NYS, USA.
MAHESH VERMA, MDS, MBA, PHD, D.SC. (HC), FDSRCS (ENG), FDSRCS(EDIN), FDSRCPSG(GLAS)
Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Vice Chancellor and Professor
Prof. (Dr.) Mahesh Verma is a Vice Chancellor of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi. Prof. Verma was earlier Dean of Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi, the best ranked Dental Institution established by him.
For the distinguished services to the nation Dr. Mahesh Verma was conferred highest medical Dr. B.C. Roy Award by President of India in 2007. Dr. Verma was also conferred 4th highest Civilian award “Padam Shree” by President of India in 2014 for exemplary work in Medical sciences and also conferred Science & Technology Award by the President of India in 2020. Dr. Verma is also a proud recipient of “Global Oral Health Progress Award” by International Dental Manufacture and “Elmer S Best Memorial Award” for outstanding contributions to the art and science of Dentistry by Pierre Fauchard Academy, USA.
He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (England), Royal College of Surgeons & Physicians (Glasgow) and Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh) and many more professional organizations besides holding offices of high esteem in several professional bodies.
Dr. Verma was conferred with the Honorary Membership of American Dental Association (ADA) and British Dental Association (BDA).
Dr. Verma is Member Science Committee of Federation Dentare International (Geneva), world’s apex policy body of 300 dental organizations.
BRYANT WELTERS
BlackIvy Group LLC, Senior Associate
Mr. Welters received BA from the University of Notre Dame with a focus in finance. His career started with the Kraft Sports Group as an associate with the premium seating team. He transitioned to work as a financial analyst for a boutique oil/gas company, Spotted Hawk, with mineral rights in North Dakota. From there he moved to BlackIvy Group, a development holding company with operations in Ghana, Tanzania, and Kenya where he worked in a variety of roles.
In these markets BlackIvy Group builds, manages, and operates businesses in healthcare, logistics and commercial and residential real estate. He focuses on new tenant outreach for their commercial operations in residential real estate, cold storage, and logistics businesses. For their industrial park project, he lead the renewable energy engagement to provide primary power to their industrial tenants through renewable energy, specifically solar energy. He is a part of their business development team sourcing deals to bring to their investment committee for approval to acquire or collaborate.
In his free time, he is an enthusiastic reader, engages with friends and family and enjoys consuming and playing various sports including being an avid skier.
KAREN WEST, DMD, MPH
American Dental Education Association, President and CEO
Dr. Karen Pierce West received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Louisville. She completed both a General Practice Residency and received a MPH degree in Health Administration. Dr. West has a Certificate in Medical Management from the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics and was a Fellow in the Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Program.
Dr. West was in private practice in Kentucky then taught in the Community Dentistry Department and was the Director of the Children and Youth Dental Clinic at the Medical College of Georgia. She was also a faculty member at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, serving in multiple administrative capacities. Dr. West became Dean at the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine in 2007 and served until June 30, 2019.
July 1, 2019, Dr. West became the President and CEO of the American Dental Education Association. She has served as Chair for both the ADEA Council of Faculties and the Council of Deans. Dr. West is a Past Chair of the Commission on Dental Accreditation and has served as a consultant for international accrediting bodies. In 2018, Dr. West received the ADEA Distinguished Service Award.
MARK WOLFF, DDS, PHD
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Morton Amsterdam Dean and Professor of Preventive & Restorative Sciences
Dr. Wolff has completed numerous international research and oral health assessment programs and has been a lifelong advocate and dental provider for individuals with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities of all ages. He has served as the principal or co-principal investigator on multiple benchtop and clinical research projects, investigating dental caries, novel remineralizing agents, dental erosion, periodontal disease, dental materials, and dentinal hypersensitivity. He has published over 100 scientific papers, text chapters, and edited multiple textbooks. Dr. Wolff lectures worldwide and is a frequent consultant to the industry. He has been the principal or co-principal investigator on nearly $9 million in industrial and National Institute of Health-funded research.