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Daniel N. Uditsky: Our International President for 2009
DANIEL N. UDITSKY: OUR INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT FOR 2009
Dr. Daniel N. Uditsky
an’s fascination with dentistry began at an early age when he would visit his father’s practice. While he loved watching his father excel at both the art and science of dentistry, what intrigued the boy most was to also see the caring relationships that his dad established with his patients. Dan gravitated toward the notion of extended family even then. When it came to a career choice, for Dan Uditsky,
D
dentistry was simply beshert. After graduating from the University of Illinois, College of Dentistry in 1969, Dan went into practice with his dad on Chicago’s north side. In 1970, they opened a second office in the suburb of Schaumburg. In 1982, Dan moved the practice to its current Schaumburg location. His team includes two associate dentists, a periodontist, and an endodontist, along with a dedicated staff.
The Uditsky family
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS One of Dan’s special memories of his dad occurred shortly after Dan joined the practice. The elder Uditsky took a short vacation, saying ‘‘Watch the store.’’ Dan takes on a wistful look as he says, ‘‘Dad left me, a wet behind the ears dentist, in charge of our patients. As Dad turned to go, he admonished me, but with a smile, not to call him unless the office burned to a cinder.’’ That day, Dan learned about professional respect. ‘‘If my father, who was my hero, trusted me with his cherished patients, I promised myself that I would do everything in my power to be worthy of that respect. I feel exactly the same way today.’’ The two doctors Uditsky practiced together until 1973, when his dad suffered a fatal stroke, at age 60. When asked about his father Dan sighs, ‘‘In one day I lost a father, a mentor, a dear friend, a fellow Alpha Omegan, and a colleague. So many mornings, I still imagine him walking into the office.’’ Honoring the ‘‘many gifts’’ from his father, Dan became a serious mentor to new practitioners. He has always enjoyed the privilege and responsibility of guiding young dentists. He taught at the University of Illinois for several years and took great satisfaction in enabling students to learn well. As part of the Alpha Omega Externship Program, Dan has invited young dentists to visit his office to observe and ask questions. He also enjoys meeting the ‘‘new crop’’ of practitioners at Student Leadership Meetings. Incidentally, he has a ‘‘great time’’speaking about dentistry and volleying questions at numerous high school career nights. ‘‘It’s great speaking to teenagers,’’ Dan shares. ‘‘You never know just what they are going to ask!’’ During his first few weeks of dental school, Dan met Milt Salzer, who was to become a prized friend for more than the next four decades. Milt invited him to an Alpha Omega smoker (yes, folks could actually smoke indoors back then), and Dan’s lifelong relationship with what would become his Alpha Omega extended family was born. Dan’s father strongly encouraged him to serve in the Alpha Omega community and to continue the mission that the elder Uditsky started in 1932 as a charter member of the Alpha Omegan chapter at the Chicago College of Dental Surgery (Loyola University). Dan went on to serve the Illinois Alumni Chapter, eventually holding all line officer positions. His service to the chapter was recognized with a special citation. Dan attended his first international convention in Vancouver in 1976, when he served as a delegate from his local chapter. Since then, he has attended more than 25 more meetings. It was at his third convention that Dan was elected to the office of Regent for Regency 7. He was treasurer for the 1999 ‘‘Turn of the Century’’
Alpha Omegan Volume 101 Number 4
convention in San Francisco. He served the International Fraternity as a chapter delegate, Regent, member of the Board of Trustees, and member of the Board of Directors. Dan especially enjoyed serving as International Editor of the Alpha Omegan. With no previous journalistic experience, he quickly learned valuable editorial and production skills. His own editorials often addressed the importance of Alpha Omega with humor and personal insight. He currently serves as International President Elect. In addition, Dan has served on numerous committees. He, along with International Editor Fred Margolis, recently revised the Choice Program. In 2003, Dan’s service to Alpha Omega was recognized with the prestigious Certificate of Merit at the international convention in Palm Desert, California. Continuing education has always been important to Dan. Colleagues call him a ‘‘current dentist.’’ Dan has been a member of the Academy of General Dentistry since 1969. He is proud of his fellowships in the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. But he is most proud of his Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry. He received this fellowship in 1981 in recognition of the fact that he completed more than 500 hours of approved continuing education courses. This fellowship serves as another link to Dan’s father, who was a founding member of the academy. Dan also has been an evaluator for Clinical Research Associates for over 20 years. He says, ‘‘Belonging to this select group of practitioners and researchers has offered me a chance to give back to dentistry.’’ Dan also volunteers annually in Chicago’s Special Olympics Special Smiles program. In addition, Dan serves as a consultant for several dental manufacturers. Service to the dental profession has been one of the hallmarks of his career. Dan served three terms as president of the University of Illinois College of Dentistry Alumni Association. His dedication to his alma mater was recognized formally with the Alumni Loyalty Award from the dental school and Constituent Leadership Award from the University of Illinois. Of his service to dentistry, Dan has said, ‘‘This is a small way to say thanks for what dentistry has given me.’’ Dan is also proud of his Judaism. The Uditskys have been members of Temple Chai for more than 35 years. Their names regularly appear on the roster of donors to the Jewish United Fund, State of Israel Bonds, and the Alpha Omega Foundation. Speaking of beshert, they say that behind every successful man there is a successful woman. Dan and Arlene met at a Jewish summer camp and have been married for 42 years. They have also raised two children. Arlene, who is a CPA, has served as Dan’s office manager
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PEOPLE IN THE NEWS for more than 30 years. Dan has said, ‘‘Without Arlene, I couldn’t have become the practitioner that I am today.’’ Arlene is also active in Jewish organizations. Their daughter Andrea is an orthodontist practicing in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Like her father and grandfather, Andrea is a proud Alpha Omegan. Andrea and her husband Dr. Brian Gendelman have five children. Dan and Arlene’s son, Jordan, is president of the American Sign Factory. Jordan and his wife, Barbara, have three children. Spend five minutes with Dan, and the subject of grandchildren is a likely topic. With a twinkle in his eye, he says, ‘‘I just ordered license plates that will say ZAYDE TO8. With three new grandchildren this year, I’m kvelling
176
even more than usual. Joey was born to my son and his wife, Barb, so he came into the family in the old fashioned way. His sisters, Samantha and Ava, are havng so much fun pampering him. But when my daughter married Brian, his two children Steven and Jack joined our family. Along with Andi’s kids, Isabel, Emily, and David Nakisher, now I can take all five Detroit kids fishing. I’ll tell them a story or two about my dad. Who knows? Someday, there may be a fourth generation of Alpha Omegans in the Uditsky clan!’’. Dan says, ‘‘I am honored to have been chosen to serve as your International President for 2009. Thanks for the support, and thanks in advance for all the support in the coming days.’’
Alpha Omegan Volume 101 Number 4
Dr. Daniel N. Uditsky
an’s fascination with dentistry began at an early age when he would visit his father’s practice. While he loved watching his father excel at both the art and science of dentistry, what intrigued the boy most was to also see the caring relationships that his dad established with his patients. Dan gravitated toward the notion of extended family even then. When it came to a career choice, for Dan Uditsky,
D
dentistry was simply beshert. After graduating from the University of Illinois, College of Dentistry in 1969, Dan went into practice with his dad on Chicago’s north side. In 1970, they opened a second office in the suburb of Schaumburg. In 1982, Dan moved the practice to its current Schaumburg location. His team includes two associate dentists, a periodontist, and an endodontist, along with a dedicated staff.
The Uditsky family
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS One of Dan’s special memories of his dad occurred shortly after Dan joined the practice. The elder Uditsky took a short vacation, saying ‘‘Watch the store.’’ Dan takes on a wistful look as he says, ‘‘Dad left me, a wet behind the ears dentist, in charge of our patients. As Dad turned to go, he admonished me, but with a smile, not to call him unless the office burned to a cinder.’’ That day, Dan learned about professional respect. ‘‘If my father, who was my hero, trusted me with his cherished patients, I promised myself that I would do everything in my power to be worthy of that respect. I feel exactly the same way today.’’ The two doctors Uditsky practiced together until 1973, when his dad suffered a fatal stroke, at age 60. When asked about his father Dan sighs, ‘‘In one day I lost a father, a mentor, a dear friend, a fellow Alpha Omegan, and a colleague. So many mornings, I still imagine him walking into the office.’’ Honoring the ‘‘many gifts’’ from his father, Dan became a serious mentor to new practitioners. He has always enjoyed the privilege and responsibility of guiding young dentists. He taught at the University of Illinois for several years and took great satisfaction in enabling students to learn well. As part of the Alpha Omega Externship Program, Dan has invited young dentists to visit his office to observe and ask questions. He also enjoys meeting the ‘‘new crop’’ of practitioners at Student Leadership Meetings. Incidentally, he has a ‘‘great time’’speaking about dentistry and volleying questions at numerous high school career nights. ‘‘It’s great speaking to teenagers,’’ Dan shares. ‘‘You never know just what they are going to ask!’’ During his first few weeks of dental school, Dan met Milt Salzer, who was to become a prized friend for more than the next four decades. Milt invited him to an Alpha Omega smoker (yes, folks could actually smoke indoors back then), and Dan’s lifelong relationship with what would become his Alpha Omega extended family was born. Dan’s father strongly encouraged him to serve in the Alpha Omega community and to continue the mission that the elder Uditsky started in 1932 as a charter member of the Alpha Omegan chapter at the Chicago College of Dental Surgery (Loyola University). Dan went on to serve the Illinois Alumni Chapter, eventually holding all line officer positions. His service to the chapter was recognized with a special citation. Dan attended his first international convention in Vancouver in 1976, when he served as a delegate from his local chapter. Since then, he has attended more than 25 more meetings. It was at his third convention that Dan was elected to the office of Regent for Regency 7. He was treasurer for the 1999 ‘‘Turn of the Century’’
Alpha Omegan Volume 101 Number 4
convention in San Francisco. He served the International Fraternity as a chapter delegate, Regent, member of the Board of Trustees, and member of the Board of Directors. Dan especially enjoyed serving as International Editor of the Alpha Omegan. With no previous journalistic experience, he quickly learned valuable editorial and production skills. His own editorials often addressed the importance of Alpha Omega with humor and personal insight. He currently serves as International President Elect. In addition, Dan has served on numerous committees. He, along with International Editor Fred Margolis, recently revised the Choice Program. In 2003, Dan’s service to Alpha Omega was recognized with the prestigious Certificate of Merit at the international convention in Palm Desert, California. Continuing education has always been important to Dan. Colleagues call him a ‘‘current dentist.’’ Dan has been a member of the Academy of General Dentistry since 1969. He is proud of his fellowships in the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. But he is most proud of his Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry. He received this fellowship in 1981 in recognition of the fact that he completed more than 500 hours of approved continuing education courses. This fellowship serves as another link to Dan’s father, who was a founding member of the academy. Dan also has been an evaluator for Clinical Research Associates for over 20 years. He says, ‘‘Belonging to this select group of practitioners and researchers has offered me a chance to give back to dentistry.’’ Dan also volunteers annually in Chicago’s Special Olympics Special Smiles program. In addition, Dan serves as a consultant for several dental manufacturers. Service to the dental profession has been one of the hallmarks of his career. Dan served three terms as president of the University of Illinois College of Dentistry Alumni Association. His dedication to his alma mater was recognized formally with the Alumni Loyalty Award from the dental school and Constituent Leadership Award from the University of Illinois. Of his service to dentistry, Dan has said, ‘‘This is a small way to say thanks for what dentistry has given me.’’ Dan is also proud of his Judaism. The Uditskys have been members of Temple Chai for more than 35 years. Their names regularly appear on the roster of donors to the Jewish United Fund, State of Israel Bonds, and the Alpha Omega Foundation. Speaking of beshert, they say that behind every successful man there is a successful woman. Dan and Arlene met at a Jewish summer camp and have been married for 42 years. They have also raised two children. Arlene, who is a CPA, has served as Dan’s office manager
175
PEOPLE IN THE NEWS for more than 30 years. Dan has said, ‘‘Without Arlene, I couldn’t have become the practitioner that I am today.’’ Arlene is also active in Jewish organizations. Their daughter Andrea is an orthodontist practicing in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Like her father and grandfather, Andrea is a proud Alpha Omegan. Andrea and her husband Dr. Brian Gendelman have five children. Dan and Arlene’s son, Jordan, is president of the American Sign Factory. Jordan and his wife, Barbara, have three children. Spend five minutes with Dan, and the subject of grandchildren is a likely topic. With a twinkle in his eye, he says, ‘‘I just ordered license plates that will say ZAYDE TO8. With three new grandchildren this year, I’m kvelling
176
even more than usual. Joey was born to my son and his wife, Barb, so he came into the family in the old fashioned way. His sisters, Samantha and Ava, are havng so much fun pampering him. But when my daughter married Brian, his two children Steven and Jack joined our family. Along with Andi’s kids, Isabel, Emily, and David Nakisher, now I can take all five Detroit kids fishing. I’ll tell them a story or two about my dad. Who knows? Someday, there may be a fourth generation of Alpha Omegans in the Uditsky clan!’’. Dan says, ‘‘I am honored to have been chosen to serve as your International President for 2009. Thanks for the support, and thanks in advance for all the support in the coming days.’’
Alpha Omegan Volume 101 Number 4