News & Media
First Female Fighter Pilot, Dental Changemakers Share Stage at Benco Celebration
PITTSTON, PA — February 13, 2015 — Overcoming obstacles, reducing errors, and succeeding under pressure — fighter pilots and dental industry professionals share more in common than one might expect. At the upcoming The Lucy Hobbs Project® 3rd Annual Celebration Honoring Exemplary Women in the Dental Community, outstanding leaders in both fields will share the stage in Baltimore, Maryland, as well as lessons learned on their paths to success.
As keynote speaker for the June event, Carey Lohrenz, the first female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Navy, will describe her journey of fearless leadership as a pioneer in military aviation. Her story serves as a contemporary parallel to Lucy Hobbs, who, in 1866, became the first American female to earn a degree in dentistry. Dr. Hobbs was denied access to education based on her gender, but persevered to learn dentistry through apprenticeship, and eventually graduated from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery.
“Often times you are told no… we’ve never done it that way, it’s not going to change. Well, you know what? Sometimes you’ve got to just keep pushing on the system. Because the system told me for years ‘There is no place for you here,’ and you have to keep pushing and saying ‘I’m going to find a way,’” said Lohrenz. “Sometimes you just need to step out and do it. You need to get your gear on and get in the cockpit. No matter how many people tell you no or that it can’t be done or we’re not doing this… go out and do it.”
On June 4 and 5 at The Lucy Hobbs Project® 3rd Annual Celebration, the awards, named for Dr. Hobbs, will be presented to honorees in the industry who help lead the charge for women in dentistry and embody the project goals. Created by Benco Dental, The Lucy Hobbs Project® empowers women in dentistry to drive change and deliver success through networking, innovation and giving back. Free to join, the project aims to bring women together from all facets of the dental industry — dentists, dental assistants, hygienists, receptionists, sales representatives and others — for networking opportunities, educational programs and charitable events.
“The highlight of the celebration, to me, is always the award winners. Hearing their acceptance speeches, experiencing the powerful nature of their words is uniquely inspiring,” said Julie Radzyminski, Director of Business Innovation for Benco Dental, the largest privately-owned dental company in the United States.Complete profiles of the 2014 honorees are featured in Incisal Edge, a lifestyle magazine for dental professionals, which can be accessed at this link:
https://viewer.zmags.com/publication/636592a9.
Throughout the celebration, attendees will be hosted to events at the National Museum of Dentistry and Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards, including a Continuing Education opportunity, courtesy of Benco Dental and event sponsors: Kavo Kerr Group and P&G Crest + Oral B. Presenters will include keynote speaker Lohrenz, educator Dave Weber, and practitioner and American Ninja Warrior contestant, Dr. Desiree Walker.
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