Statement of the Nominee for 2025-26 Chair-elect of the ADEA Board of Directors
Mohammad Ali’s quote, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth” encapsulates my career in dentistry and dental education. Therefore, it is with a great sense of pride, dedication and commitment to serve that I nominate myself, Dr. Cherae Farmer-Dixon, for the office of Chair-elect of the Board of Directors for the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). I serve as Dean of the School of Dentistry at Meharry Medical College and Chair of the ADEA Council of Deans.
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My career in dental education has spanned over 30 years and has given me innumerable opportunities to learn and grow in dental education. My life commitment has embodied being a stellar clinician within the community but has catapulted into varying roles that have enabled me to serve as a teacher, scholar, mentor, servant leader and life-long learner. I have had the fantastic opportunity to broaden my skills and leadership development through service to my country for over 20 years as a United States Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel (retired), along with my participation in several leadership development programs such as the ADEA Leadership Institute, the American Association of Medical Colleges Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program, and the Bell Leadership program.
Throughout my career, I have been resolute in the ideology that I would not only be a member of ADEA but remain actively engaged with intentionality to seek knowledge and serve. My ADEA leadership has included serving as Member at Large to Chair of various ADEA sections, serving on the ADEA Annual Session Planning Committee, various other committees and representing ADEA on the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). I have appreciated the ability to impact the profession alongside brilliant colleagues in a field that continues to evolve. As the Chair-elect of the ADEA Board of Directors I will strive to advance the organization’s vision and align it with its strategic initiatives.
It is an exciting time for ADEA as it is representative of all of its members and partners. As Chair-elect, it is incumbent upon me to support ADEA’s mission and members. This will be achieved by supporting a culture of inclusivity at all levels: Councils, Sections and Special Interest Groups, Board of Directors, and House of Delegates, so that every member of ADEA will feel inspired and empowered to move the organization forward as one unified family. ADEA’s priorities are my priorities. With a focus on innovation and engagement, as Chair-elect, we will re-envision the model of oral health education as we seamlessly integrate medicine and dentistry. We will usher in cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence, other technologies, and create alternative teaching modalities. As Chair-elect, together we will expand the diversity of oral health professionals through nontraditional collaborations and community partners. The attraction and retention of stellar faculty, staff and leaders is tantamount and will require us to embrace inclusive environments, facilitate professional development, and develop succession plans.
I submit without apology that this organization has been paramount in my professional development as a dentist and in dental education. However, there comes a time when the student must become the teacher, and I believe that my time is now. Therefore, I am ready to continue to serve ADEA and graciously seek the office of Chair-elect of the ADEA Board of Directors.
Published on December 11, 2024