ADHA Center for Lifelong Learning and the 89th Annual Session a success; Dr. Esther Wilkins' health continues to improve
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) Annual Session and Center for Lifelong Learning was a huge success. The courses were excellent and well attended, and the social functions were entertaining.
One of the highlights was the keynote session by J. R. Martinez! Jose Rene "J.R." Martinez is an American actor, motivational speaker and former U.S. Army soldier. He is also the winner of Season 13 of ABC's "Dancing with the Stars." His talk was very motivational, and funny! See other sections of this newsletter for ADHA’s Community Service day and the 100th Anniversary of Dental Hygiene in 2013.
Good news! Dr. Esther Wilkins is well enough to receive visitors. She will have follow-up tests and remain in the rehabilitation facility until her dizziness is gone, but overall she is gaining strength, adhering to and looks forward to her physical and occupational therapy sessions, and has her spirit back! The photo below is of Esther writing thank you cards at the desk in her room.
Esther has two sessions per day of therapy (but they do not have the schedule until each morning) and she lunches from 12:15 to 1 pm in the dining room. If she is not in her room, she could be at therapy. She does have a hearing amplifier she can use to chat with you. However, phone calls are still a challenge! She reads each and every card and letter she receives; as with her rehabilitation stay in the Carolinas a few years back, the new basket of these good wishes is filling up!
Esther said she is looking forward to visitors! If you think of it, bring the Boston Globe when you come! Here is the address: Dr. Esther Gallagher, D'Youville Manor, 1071 Varnum Avenue, Room 220, Lowell, MA 01854.
Go into the first floor entrance, from the left parking lot. Sign in at the desk. Proceed straight through the glass doors, and turn right. Her room is on the right hand side, about 3/4 of the way down. She is in the "first bed." Thanks to Anna Pattison and Pam Bretschneider for the constant updates!
I also want to thank Laurie Samuels for her insight into dental hygienists as health coaches. As well, I want to thank my colleagues from Portugal, Mário Araújo, RDH, BS, and Gabriela Videira, MD by ISCS-Sul, for their excellent insight into peri-implantitis and the use of an intraoral camera as a tool for motivational interview.
As you read this, I will be in Sicily, Italy, touring the country of my roots, enroute to Taormina where I will be teaching. It is tough duty, but someone needs to do it!
After my course, I will see Sting in concert in Taormina 2012! This year Sting celebrates 25 years of his solo career and has chosen Taormina, and more precisely the Greek theatre, as one of the three Italian stops of his tour. On the 13th July 2012, Sting will start to delight us with wonderful songs known all around the world and his amazing voice will enchant the public who will be treated to more than two hours of concert. I cannot wait!
And last, but not least, get ready for RDH Under One Roof in Las Vegas August 1-3, 2012. For more information, visit http://www.rdhunderoneroof.com/index.html.
Sincerely,
Maria Perno Goldie, RDH, MS
To read previous RDH eVillage FOCUS introductions by Editorial Director Maria Perno Goldie, go to introductions.
