Dr. Joana Forsea
Happy Fall, fellow members!
The Fall Season brings with it an exhilarating and titillating time of year. School starts and that “butterflies in the stomach” feeling begins, with new programs and fresh, wondering minds. What an exciting time of the year! As an educator and a practitioner, I am keenly aware that this time of the year brings with it ideas and innovation, Orthodontic candidate interviews, and the air is filled with potential.
I would like to start my letter to our members and our community by stating how humbled and grateful I feel to be able to serve as your NYSSO President for the next two years. I stand on the “shoulders of giants” that came before me and have truly revolutionized our New York State Society of Orthodontists. I would like to thank Dr Yanique Le-Cadre for not only being a fantastic president and mentor to me, but also a colleague I look up to, and a true friend. Thank you with all my heart.
I will attempt to serve not only our community but also your individual needs as members. I have learned so much in the past 10 years serving as a Board Member of NYSSO, as a past president of the Society of Orthodontists in ADEA, a member of the Society of Orthodontic Educators within the AAO, and as Secretary of the New Conn Orthodontic Foundation. I am currently also the Chief of Orthodontics for Northwell Health, Long Island Jewish Hospital and North Shore University Hospital, and an Assistant Professor at the affiliated Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell – where I hope to be able to usher in a new orthodontic program in the summer of 2024.
I believe we have a wonderful opportunity here in New York. We can connect and empower our members, making us stronger and a force to be reckoned with when influencing how orthodontics is practiced. In this way, we will modernize the regulations placed on orthodontists and their offices here in New York. Dr. Ken Cooperman and Dr. Renee Pompei reported on progress working with NYSDA to seek an equitable solution to the dental assistant work force crisis. Together, we have a stronger voice that can be heard. It is topics such as these that NYSSO is here for you to address…and we will.
Our board recently met at the 2023 NESO Annual Meeting in Montreal, where NYSSO provided stipends to 48 New York-based residents who attended to help offset the cost of their travel. The future of our profession and the development of orthodontics lies with them! Encouraging our residents to become involved in NYSSO organized orthodontics, made up of New Yorkers and for New Yorkers, is how we grow our voice!!
On November 2, 2023, NYSSO co-hosted the Resident “Rave in the Cave” event at the Wandering Barman in Brooklyn. Grateful thanks to Dr. Eric Ploumis, who is a senior NYSSO Board member and a dedicated lifetime orthodontic educator, as well as to our generous sponsors, D4C, NuSmile and Doctors Disability Specialists. It was a huge success with many residents stating that they would likely participate next year as well. Please make sure to look at all the wonderful photos we have for you in this newsletter. It is how networking should be done, with fun and laughter and joy!
Lastly, I want to wish everyone a warm, safe, and blessed Holiday Season. Enjoying family and friends during any of the many Holidays to be celebrated throughout the Fall and Winter months.
Dr. Joana Forsea
President, NYSSO
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