John Adams, Dave Cowens, Shemp Howard…and Me
Dr. Fugazzotto
By: Paul Fugazzotto, DDS, Academy News Editor
John Adams, who helped establish the U.S. Navy and is generally considered to have been a very good president, had the misfortune of following George Washington, the “Father of America.”
While Dave Cowens won the NBA MVP Award in 1973 and NBA championships in 1974 and 1976, his accomplishments paled beside those of the man he replaced: Bill Russell, the winningest basketball player – and sports figure in general.
Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard were arguably the greatest comedy trio of all time. Upon Shemp Howard’s return (yes, he was one of the original Stooges and had “gone solo”) following Curly’s fatal stroke, the Stooges continued to perform at a high level. However, Moe-Larry- Shemp could not match the magic of Moe-Larry-Curly.
And now…I must attempt to succeed Mehrdad Favagehi as editor of the Academy News – undoubtedly the most daunting task of all.
Immediately upon entering the room where I would attend my first AO Newsletter Committee meeting, I was struck by a sense of calm: The lack of jockeying for position, the absence of “power units” of mini-committees within the committee. This was a direct result of Mehrdad’s desires and design.
There were no special seats to be had, as all members were on equal footing. There had been no ego-stroking, backdoor deals made prior to the meeting. Mehrdad’s only goal was the production of the highest-quality newsletter possible — a newsletter that all members would find stimulating and useful. Mehrdad is uniquely suited to attain these goals through:
- Making all committee members feel their opinions matter
- Ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard
- Having everyone offer opinions and contribute
- Raising the bar of the discussion when it falters
- Daring to think outside the box
- Asking for and listening to disparate viewpoints
- Demonstrating strong, but not overpowering, leadership skills
Now what? How to move the Academy News forward when it has been under the guidance and tutelage of an editorial Olympian?
While we will, of course, attempt to maintain everything Mehrdad has established, we hope to add the following rooms – and others – to Mehrdad’s mansion:
- Original articles from a greater swath of AO members
- Point-counterpoint articles discussing controversial subjects
- Real-world articles discussing the business of clinical dentistry
- Themed issues
- “Mini-symposia” on select topics
- Dental Auxiliary articles
- Laboratory Technician contributions
- Interviews with both “recognized giants” and “overlooked heroes”
Harry Truman had it easy.
