2024 Day on the Hill
Read what 2024 Day on the Hill participants shared following the event:
“Day on the Hill was an amazing and unique opportunity that I am very grateful to have experienced as a resident. I got the chance to connect with oral and maxillofacial surgeons and residents from across the country and understand more about how issues impact patients and patient care. This opportunity taught me a lot about the process of policy reform and advocacy and that we do have a voice to make changes for the better. I encourage every resident to attend this event in the future. I look forward to attending Day on the Hill in 2025.” – Tyler J. Deitrick, DDS
“Currently in my tenth year of practice, I recently re-engaged with the AAOMS Day on the Hill, an event I hadn’t participated in since my residency days. I must confess, I had forgotten how meaningful and enjoyable this experience can be. Advocating for our specialty on Capitol Hill is a distinctive and highly rewarding opportunity. This participation has reignited my interest in our organization and the legislative process. I strongly encourage anyone contemplating attendance to seize this valuable opportunity.” – Drew Shessel, DMD
“The 2024 AAOMS Day on the Hill was a great event! The keynote presentation by Sarah Isgur was thought-provoking and entertaining. All of the social events and programs were excellent. AAOMS staff support and the Advocacy Day App made congressional visits easy and productive. Thanks to all who were involved!” – J. David Johnson Jr., DDS
“I am very glad that I attended the AAOMS Day on the Hill this year. The legislative priorities AAOMS is advocating for are extremely important to the future of our specialty and now more than ever are equally aligned with the general priorities of our entire country. The debt burden that residents are incurring now is having critical influence on their career choices. Drug and supply shortages are affecting all of us on a daily basis and frequently directly affect the care we provide to our patients. Finally, those of us that work in states that have not already enacted legislation mandating coverage for craniofacial deformities are still dealing with major obstacles to getting our patients the treatment they need. If we are not advocating for ourselves, no one else will. Many may think that we can’t make a difference, but staying quiet allows all of the other interests to push their agendas without any opposition from us. Our representatives need to hear our side of the issues. With our status as doctors and representatives of our patients and their constituents, we hold a high ground in these discussions, and legislators are receptive to our messages. If nothing else, the Day on the Hill is a great opportunity to discuss the state of our specialty with colleagues from around the country, and a really great way to experience how our representative democracy really works.” – David A. Fenton, DDS, MD, FACS
“As an attendee of the AAOMS Day on the Hill conference, I was afforded a remarkable opportunity to delve firsthand into the intricacies of the political system. Hearing from incredible political thinkers and engaging in discussions surrounding key legislative issues impacting oral and maxillofacial surgery provided invaluable insights into the intersection of healthcare and policy.
One of the most impactful aspects of the conference was the chance to shake hands with government representatives who hold the power to shape laws directly affecting oral and maxillofacial surgery. This direct interaction underscored the importance of advocacy and reinforced the significance of our voices in the legislative process.
Overall, the experience was enlightening and empowering. It reinforced my commitment to advocating for our specialty and highlighted the importance of active engagement in the political sphere. I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated in such a pivotal event and am eager to continue working towards positive change within our profession.” – Trevor Liljenquist, DDS
“It was my first time attending, and it was a wonderful experience to see what our organization has to go through to make our issues heard. I will be back next year, too. Thank you for the wonderful experience.” – Kenneth C. K. Wong, DDS
2023 Dr. Gerald Gelfand Day on the Hill Scholarship Recipients
What do you think the value was to advocate as an organized group with AAOMS and its staff?
Preston Fong, DDS, BS
“AAOMS Day on the Hill was an amazing opportunity to talk to congressional representatives and senators about student loan reform, craniofacial deformities, and dental insurance. I met California Rep. Kim, Chu, and Swalwell in person! I also met the staff of Senators Feinstein and Padilla. I want to help mold decisions affecting our professions rather than letting others decide for us. As a strong united voice, our opinions are amplified when we work together to make change.”
Praveen Kumar R Guntaka, DMD
“Advocating as part of an organized group showed me the true strength that lies within our OMS specialty and highlighted the importance of how strong having a united, yet diverse collection of voices is. The organizers, lobbyists, and AAOMS organization provided the perfect environment for collaborative and challenging growth, and I look forward to both recommending and attending the conference again in future years to come!”
Adam Wandell, DDS, MD
“I attended the Day on the Hill to learn more about the process of how policy making works in healthcare. I feel like that goal was accomplished. I now also understand the issues that face our specialty.”
Andrew E. Bertagna, DMD
“To demonstrate to congressional leaders the unity amongst providers within our specialty. As well as illustrate our fervent interests in advocating for the most optimal care for our patients.”
2021 Virtual Day on the Hill
“Virtual Day on the Hill provides a wonderful opportunity to get directly involved in shaping healthcare policies that affect our specialty as a whole. I was able to meet with congressional offices and voice my concerns over matters that are important to me as a private practitioner and oral and maxillofacial surgeon. I encourage everyone to participate, as this small commitment significantly impacts the growth and future of our specialty.” – Nira Dwivedi, DDS
“Day on the Hill is a powerful way to make positive changes. Not only does it strengthen our profession, but it provides an opportunity to let lawmakers know what’s important for our patients. The 2021 Virtual Day on the Hill was my first time participating, and AAOMS made it very easy. I would encourage all my colleagues to consider participating next year. Our profession needs us.” – Salman Malik, DMD, MD
“Attending Day on the Hill was a great experience because I care about the specialty, and it allowed me to network with Dr. Charles Crago from North Dakota. It also helped me to get informed about issues that I could bring to attention in my local AAOMS and ADA chapters.” – Tyler Boyd, DDS, MD
“Day on the Hill is a great opportunity to learn about issues affecting our field and patients and advocate to improve these situations. For example, one of the bills we have been discussing with congress is the Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act. If passed, this would expand insurance coverage so that those born with congenital anomalies can get full reconstructions – including dental implants, which as we know is often difficult for patients to get insurance coverage for. It is important for oral and maxillofacial surgeons to be involved in advocacy for issues like this because – though it is obvious to us why teeth/implants are so much more than a cosmetic concern – it is not always immediately apparent to others, which ultimately negatively impacts patients.” – Jennifer Dolan, DDS, OMS resident
“Day on the Hill allows residents to voice our concerns or support about the issues that can directly affect us.” – Alexis Linnebur, DMD, OMS resident
Past attendees share why they decided to participate in AAOMS Day on the Hill
Dr. Herbert Stith (from left), dentist Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) and Dr. Thomas Rooney.
Dr. Rooney urges fellow OMSs to ‘give back’ during Day on the Hill
Here’s what Dr. Thomas Rooney of Illinois had to say about his experience attending Day on the Hill for the first time in 2017.
Q What prompted you to attend your first Day on the Hill?
A “I had several reasons for volunteering – 1) I have always been interested in how things got done in Washington, 2) the fact that it didn’t really take that much time out of my schedule made it easy to participate and 3) I have recently felt a little guilty about not having spent enough time volunteering for my organization or – in other words – giving back.”
Q What was the highlight of Day on the Hill for you?
A “That’s an easy one for me. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) is my state representative, and he was one of the targets of AAOMS’s leadership visits. So my first meeting with him was actually run by Drs. (Douglas) Fain and (Brett) Ferguson. In a few short minutes, I learned exactly how to do what I was there to do.”
Q Why do you believe it is important to attend this event?
A “Personally, I hate the idea that our legislature is ‘pay to play.’ But I understand the reality of the situation and feel it is critical that we participate in the process to ensure the health of our specialty.”
Dr. Raj Thaker (left) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.)
Dr. Thaker: Residents are guardians and keepers of OMS profession
Here’s what Dr. Raj Thaker of New York had to say about his experience attending Day on the Hill for the first time in 2017:
Q What prompted you to attend your first Day on the Hill?
A “I felt the importance to attend Day on the Hill after being involved in ASDA as a dental student and learning the importance of organized dentistry. As an oral surgery resident, one of my colleagues was very involved in AAOMS and went to Day on the Hill. Her positive experience influenced my decision greatly to continue my involvement in AAOMS and OMSPAC at the resident level and hopefully in the future as an upcoming surgeon.”
Q What was the highlight of Day on the Hill for you?
A “A major highlight for Day on the Hill was actually having an opportunity to connect and speak one-to-one with my federal representative, Rep. (Jerrold) Nadler (D-N.Y.), and I was able to get a picture with him. More importantly, my representative actually asked about my story, how I got to where I am today, and asked me my personal concerns regarding the issues AAOMS was lobbying for.”
Q Why do you believe it is important to attend this event?
A “One of the most important reasons as to why residents should attend Day on the Hill is for the simple fact we are the guardians and keepers of our profession. To safeguard the work of our predecessors, it is imperative residents give that touch of ‘young blood’ when connecting with congressional staffers and representatives. Furthermore, the more engaged we are as a profession in our future, the more likely we are to protect our privileges and help mold the decisions affecting our profession rather than others who might decide for us.”
