CANDIDATES AND VOTING

CV - Dr. Marcel G. Lambrechts

 

I would be honored to serve as a delegate for the American Dental Association (ADA) because I am passionate about advocating for our profession and ensuring that both dentists and patients benefit from our work on a national level. Since 2019, I have had the privilege of serving as an alternate delegate, gaining a strong understanding of the ADA’s goals, processes, and the critical role we play in shaping the future of dentistry. During my time in the delegation, I have worked closely with colleagues to address key challenges, from legislative issues to policy decisions that impact our profession. I have built meaningful relationships with members across the country, allowing me to represent diverse perspectives. I value collaboration, open communication, and thoughtful leadership—qualities I believe will help me contribute in an even greater capacity as a delegate. I am committed to ensuring that our members’ voices are heard and that we shape policies that support both practitioners and the patients we serve. Dentistry is constantly evolving, and I would be honored to continue advocating for our profession with dedication, passion, and integrity. Thank you for your consideration—I look forward to the opportunity to serve!

CV - Dr. Jeena Devasia

I have had the pleasure of serving as an Alternate Delegate and Delegate to the 16th District Delegation since 2018. We are lucky to have great leadership in the 16th District, by serving on the delegation I have gained both knowledge and experience that is helpful in shaping the future of this profession. I believe my understanding of the tripartite membership, my experience at each level, and my desire to work towards a stronger association qualify me to continue serving in this position. Thank you for your support and consideration, I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the delegation, and I look forward to having the opportunity to continue serving as an ADA Delegate.

CV - Dr. C. Danielle Howell

There are very few days that I don’t take a moment to realize how grateful I am to be a dentist. Dentistry has been a part of my life forever. My father was a dentist in a small town, and I grew up watching him go to work every day, whistling as he went. He worked hard, and put in long hours, but loved his profession. Just like most of you, I do the same. I work hard, but I love what I do. Continuing to serve the VDA as a delegate to the ADA would allow me an opportunity to continue to give back to this profession that has been so wonderful to me. I want to help ensure that each of our members can focus on his/her patients first, knowing that the VDA and the ADA are lobbying for them, fighting for fair insurance reimbursement and less government interference. I want to help ensure that every dental student and every new dentist has an opportunity to practice dentistry in a way that is meaningful to them, in a modality that makes sense to them. I want to be sure that those who are less fortunate can get the dental care that they need and that the dentists providing that care are fairly compensated. It would be my absolute pleasure to continue to represent Virginia on the 16th District delegation to be your advocate and your conduit to the ADA. I humbly ask for your vote and invite your suggestions, opinions, and questions. 

CV - Dr. Elizabeth Reynolds

I would like to continue serving as an ADA Delegate. I have served as an ADA delegate for the last 4 years. I have learned through my experience with the association that hard work pays off. I have been involved with my component and state association since 2000. I am very committed to our profession and would like the opportunity to continue to serve at the next level. My work at the VDA level has provided the experience that is needed to serve as an ADA Delegate. It is with great pleasure that I am seeking the position of ADA Delegate to the ADA.

CV - Dr. Cynthia Southern

I have served as Richmond Dental Society President and on the VDA Board of Directors. I would like to continue serving my component and the member and non-member dentists of Virginia as an Alternate Delegate for the ADA House of Delegates to help guide the association into the future.

CV - Dr. Marcel G. Lambrechts

I have been active with both the VDA and the ADA since graduating from dental school. My positions have included VDA Delegate, President of NVDS, VDA Council on Sessions, and ADA Committee on Annual Meeting (CAM), culminating in being Chair of the 2023 SmileCon Meeting in Orlando, Florida. While serving on CAM, I observed many aspects of the ADA and realized that the future of the ADA and its ability to meet its members’ needs and wishes has become very challenging. I believe that as an ADA Alternate Delegate, I would be in a position to help in facing these challenges. The ADA and organized dentistry have been an important aspect of my professional career as a dentist, and I hope to be part of the changes needed for the future.

CV - Dr. Melanie Love

I humbly ask for your vote to allow me to continue to serve as an ADA alternate delegate. As someone who was born and raised in Virginia and continues to live, serve, and practice in the Commonwealth, I have been involved in organized dentistry since dental school. I have served in numerous leadership capacities on the local, state, and national levels. I am a past President of the Lynchburg Dental Society, member of the American Association of Endodontists, board member of the American Association of Endodontists Foundation, Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics, incoming President of the Piedmont Dental Society and Past President of the Virginia Dental Association. I have served on the Infection Control Committee, Non-renew Task Force, and currently serve on the Council for Membership and Marketing. I am actively involved in the Southern Endodontic Study Group and am a volunteer faculty at both the VCU and WVU School of Dentistry, all while maintaining a successful private Endodontic practice that is both evidence-based and patient-focused. I hope to continue my service to the profession of dentistry at the National Level by serving as an alternate delegate for the 16th district. If we don’t advocate for ourselves, no one else will. I want to ensure that Virginia Dental Association members, along with our neighboring 16th district members, continue to bring ideas and advancements to the ADA and the profession that we are all so blessed to be a part of. I feel confident that I possess the passion, enthusiasm, and skill set needed to fill this position. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve you all and respectfully ask for your vote as ADA Alternate Delegate!

CV - Dr. Dustin Reynolds

It was a pleasure serving the VDA Members as one of your Alternate Delegates. I hope to continue to do so again. While it is my honor to continue to serve as a representative on the Code Maintenance Committee and as a representative of the ADA as a dentist anesthesiologist, I find it far more rewarding to serve as a representative of my own community here in Virginia. With your continued support, I hope that I have the opportunity to serve again.

CV - Dr. Jonathan Wong