01/22/2010
Chris Spielman to speak at ODA Leadership Institute, held March 5-6

Sarah Surface
Managing Editor

Sports legend Chris Spielman is scheduled to speak Saturday, March 6, 2010, at the Ohio Dental Association Leadership Institute, at the Hilton Columbus at Easton Town Center.

Spielman first gained attention as an All-American football player at Washington High School in Massillon, Ohio. More recently, he has been known as an advocate for breast cancer research, as his wife, Stefanie, fought the disease for a decade before passing away in 2009.

"The ODA is excited to have Chris Spielman speak at our Leadership Institute this year," said ODA Executive Director David J. Owsiany, JD. "His triumphs through adversity will inspire our members to become great leaders in their practices, their communities, at home or in organized dentistry."

The first high school athlete to appear on a Wheaties cereal box, Spielman went on to play linebacker for The Ohio State University from 1984-1987.

Spielman is a two-time All-American selection, three-time All-Big Ten selection, winner of the 1987 Lombardi Award and all-time leader in solo tackles at OSU. In 2009, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

The Detroit Lions selected Spielman with the 29th pick in the 1988 NFL Draft. After playing eight seasons in Detroit, he played two years with the Buffalo Bills and then joined the Cleveland Browns after the 1998 season.

When his wife, Stefanie, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999, Spielman took a year off to be at home with her and their children. He returned to football the following year, only to suffer a career-ending neck injury.

Together, he and Stefanie used their public profile to raise more than $6.5 million through the Stefanie Spielman Fund for Patient Assistance to support breast cancer patients and research.

After his wife's death in 2009, Spielman has continued to be an advocate for cancer research.

At the ODA Leadership Institute, Spielman will discuss how his life experiences and adversity have motivated him and enhanced his life.

The annual ODA Leadership Institute is free for ODA member dentists and provides them the opportunity to gain exceptional leadership knowledge that can be applied in their practices, their homes and their communities.

The 2010 event opens Friday morning, March 5, with an ODA Executive Committee Town Hall Meeting. This open-forum-style meeting provides the opportunity for members to ask ODA leadership questions about the organization and its activities and programs.

Following lunch, attendees will have the opportunity to attend two of the following four one-hour breakout sessions:

• Employment Issues for the Dental Office, presented by Keith Kerns, Esq., ODA director of legal and legislative services
• Regulatory Compliance and Green Dentistry in the Dental Office (meets one Ohio State Dental Board continuing education requirement), presented by Dr. Robert Mazzola, chair of the ODA Council on Dental Care Programs and Dental Practice, and Christopher Moore, MA, ODA director of dental services
• Running an Effective and Efficient Meeting, presented by Dr. Michael Halasz, Speaker of the House, Ohio Dental Association
• Administration Update for Ohio Component Societies, presented by Michelle Blackman, executive assistant to ODA executive director; Peg Cissell, ODA director of finance; and Joe Potestivo, ODA data services and membership manager.

In the afternoon, attendees will hear from Ohio Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer. Moyer has been Ohio's chief justice since 1987, making him the longest-serving chief justice in the United States.

Over the last two decades, Moyer has been a steadying influence on Ohio's highest court as the court considered controversial issues related to school funding, tort reform and other important matters.

Moyer's remarks will draw upon his more than 30 years of public service in leading Ohio's judiciary.

Friday evening, March 5, attendees can catch up with their colleagues at a reception at the Easton Sports Club, hosted by Delta Dental.

On Saturday morning, March 6, breakfast will be provided for all attendees. During the breakfast hour, the ODA Subcouncil on New Dentists invites all dentists in practice 10 years or less to join them in the new dentists reserved area for a special new dentists breakfast.

Spielman's presentation will kick off the day, followed by an update on national dental issues from American Dental Association Seventh District Trustee Dr. Charles Steffel, a legislative update from the ODA advocacy team and an Ohio Dental Political Action Committee (ODPAC) update.

The event is expected to adjourn around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 6.

Registration for the 2010 ODA Leadership Institute is free to ODA members, but attendees are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses.

Hotel reservations can be made by calling the Hilton Columbus at Easton Town Center at (614) 414-5000. Be sure to mention the Ohio Dental Association to ensure the group rate of $189/night. The hotel reservation deadline is Feb. 11, 2010, so plan early.

Partial funding for the 2010 ODA Leadership Institute is provided by the Delta Dental Fund of Ohio.

Registration materials have now been mailed. Members can also register online or by calling the ODA at (800) 282-1526, ext. 24.