CHICAGO, Nov. 17, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) recently honored Nancy Deal Chandler, RHIA, CAE, CFRE, Executive Director of the ACP and the ACP Education Foundation (ACPEF), with the "Nancy Deal Chandler Leadership Award" for the commitment, perseverance and leadership she has shown throughout the last 10 years advancing the dental specialty of prosthodontics and the ACP. The ACP presented the inaugural "Nancy Deal Chandler Leadership Award" to Ms. Chandler on Oct. 24 during the ACP's 45th Annual Session in Orlando. The now Immediate Past President, Frank J. Tuminelli, DMD, FACP, (pictured), surprised Ms. Chandler by presenting the award to her before a crowd of 275 oral health professionals and leaders including her husband, Mr. Paul Pomplun, during the Annual Awards and President's Dinner. "Deal's wisdom, knowledge and guidance have been instrumental in making the ACP prosper and grow at a fantastic rate and her continued guidance will make for a promising future. We simply would not be in such a position without her phenomenal leadership," said ACP President Carl F. Driscoll, DMD, FACP. The ACP Executive Committee will select future "Nancy Deal Chandler Leadership Award" honorees who have made significant contributions to the specialty of prosthodontics and substantively advanced the mission of the ACP and/or ACPEF through achievement-oriented leadership and dedicated service. The award is limited to those who do not possess a DMD, DDS, or MD degree. "Ms. Chandler's professionalism has been apparent since her first day as Executive Director, and I firmly believe that the ACP's success over the last decade can be attributed to her leadership," said ACP President-Elect Susan E. Brackett, DDS, MS, FACP. The ACP has developed into a strong and resilient organization through the work of many dedicated volunteers and staff during Ms. Chandler's tenure as Executive Director. The ACP is financially healthy; ACP membership continues to grow in numbers and diversity; the Annual Session attendance is up year over year; and new initiatives such as the first digital dentistry symposium continue to roll out. Two major milestones achieved this year are the Commission on Dental Accreditation's (CODA's) approval of the Accreditation Standards for Advanced Education Programs in Prosthodontics , which include surgical implant placement at a competency level, and a $1.25 million grant from Henry Schein to the ACPEF for the development of a digital dentistry dental school curriculum. "All of this and more has been accomplished under the watchful and visionary eyes of Ms. Chandler as she works directly with the ACP Executive Committee and the ACP Board of Directors," Dr. Tuminelli said. "The future of the specialty has never been brighter." "Ms. Chandler has been an exceptional leader and demonstrates professionalism regardless of the challenges encountered. Ultimately, she truly believes in who we are in the ACP, and in our commitment as Prosthodontists in providing care for our patients," said Lily T. Garcia, DDS, MS, FACP. Ms. Chandler joined the ACP in December 2005 after serving as the Director of the Division of Medical Journals and Professional Periodicals at the American Academy of Pediatrics. She earned a bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA, studied as an undergraduate at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, and received a master's degree from the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. She earned a postgraduate degree in Medical Record Administration from Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta. Ms. Chandler is a registered health information administrator (RHIA), a certified association executive (CAE) and a certified fundraising executive (CFRE). "Deal Chandler embodies the ideal attributes of an effective Executive Director. Over the past decade, she has contributed tirelessly to the development and implementation of our strategic plans and cheered for every one of our lofty and important ambitions. Because of her effective management of the central office and strong commitment to our volunteer leadership, the specialty of Prosthodontics has built a remarkable home, namely the American College of Prosthodontists," said Lyndon F. Cooper, DDS, PhD, FACP. "I am so honored to receive this new ACP legacy award. I share it with the many wonderful and amazing ACP leaders and staff with whom I have worked, and with my loving parents, Nancy Outland Chandler and the late Webster Monroe Chandler Jr, for showing me the way," said Ms. Chandler. Prosthodontists are specialized dentists with advanced training in oral health issues who are committed to improving patient outcomes. From implants, crowns, veneers and tooth whitening to full-mouth reconstruction, Prosthodontists specialize in digital dentistry , cosmetic dentistry , and sleep apnea solutions. The ACP is the only prosthodontic dental specialty organization whose membership is based solely on education credentials. ACP members must be in or have completed an ADA-accredited advanced education program in Prosthodontics. About the ACP The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) is the official sponsoring organization for the specialty of Prosthodontics, which is one of only nine recognized dental specialties of the American Dental Association. Founded in 1970, ACP is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing patient care, advancing the art and science of Prosthodontics, promoting the specialty of Prosthodontics to the public and other dentists and healthcare professionals, ensuring the quality of prosthodontic education and providing professional services to its membership. For more information visit GoToAPro.org .
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Carolyn Barth 312-573-8791
