Each year at its annual symposium, the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures (OSAP) recognizes the work of some special individuals who dedicate their time, energy, and expertise to promote, advance, and expand the reach of dental infection control and safety. At its 2003 symposium, held in Tucson this June, the following awards were presented:
The James J. Crawford Award, which recognizes significant contributions over time to the field of dental infection control and safety, was given to Chris H. Miller, PhD, a noted educator, author, and researcher, as well as a founding member and past chairman of OSAP.
The Dr. Milton E. Schaefer Award recognizes superior service to OSAP. The award which is presented for either continuous contributions over a period of time, or for singular accomplishments that have resulted in tangible benefits to the advancement of OSAP's mission to be dentistry's premier infection control and safety resource, was presented to Melvin Rouse of Health Sonics Corp. His commitment to OSAP and to dental infection control as a whole is unquestioned, and Health Sonics' attention to quality is an example to the dental industry. The James A. Cottone Award for Investigative Research recognizes quality research in dental infection control and safety. The study judged the best by OSAP for 2003, titled "Students' perceptions of effectiveness of behavioral infection control compliance interventions," was authored by Joyce Galligan, RN, DDS (University of Southern California).
In addition, The Bette & Paul Schwarz Award for Volunteerism was presented to an outstanding volunteer during the symposium. This year's award went to Claire Pagliara-Miller, RN, MSN, and her son Jeff Miller. Perhaps OSAP's most well-rounded volunteer, Claire has lectured at OSAP plenary sessions and breakout groups, helped man the symposium desks, and this year assigned Jeff to the best PowerPoint pilot ever at an OSAP Annual Symposium.
OSAP is the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures. Founded in 1985, the nonprofit association is dentistry's premier resource for infection control and safety information. Through its publications, courses, Web site, and worldwide collaborations, OSAP and the tax-exempt OSAP Foundation support education, research, service, and policy development to promote safety and the control of infectious diseases in dental healthcare settings worldwide. For more information on OSAP activities, visit www.osap.org.
