About the Award
Dana Leach was President of SOMSA from 2017 to 2018. In February 2019, Dana passed away suddenly, while he was serving as Past President. During his six years on the SOMSA Board, his passion for the Society and his support of OMS administrators in all the roles they serve inspired much meaningful growth for our organization. In his own organization, Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery, Dana helped grow the practice from 7 offices to 20 throughout the Atlanta area under his 21 years of management.
In response to the passing of one of our great leaders, the Board created the Dana Leach Administrator of the Year Award (DLAYA) to honor the way that Dana represented leadership in OMS practices.
Nomination Process
OMS practice administrators who are members of Society of OMS Administrators may be nominated by someone else or may self-nominate. Once nominated and current membership is verified, the administrator will complete the application for consideration for the DLAYA, due each year in March. The year’s honoree will be recognized at the Annual Conference with the honeycomb-shaped crystal award first presented to Dana in 2019 posthumously to recognize his leadership.
Click below to access the nomination form. Nominations are due Friday, March 6.
2020 Award Timeline
- February 22: Accepting nominations
- March 6: Nomination period ends
- March 9: Nominated members are notified by email with link to application form
- March 25: Applications due
- After March 25: Board considers applications; customized award ordered
- Annual Conference: Award presented at lunch during conference
Sample Application
Once a SOMSA member has been nominated for the Dana Leach Administrator of the year award and their current membership has been verified, they will receive a link to complete the application, which consists of the questions below. These six values—leadership, education, authenticity, innovation, compliance, networking—are SOMSA’s core values and the values Dana represented every day as a leader.
In addition to responding to these questions, applicants will be required to submit a head shot, a brief bio, and a career history.
Your brief biography should be about 250 words and should highlight your work experience, but also give readers insight into who you are.
Your career history could be a resume, but your it might also include certifications, volunteer experience, and other philanthropic work.
Leadership
OMS practice administrators serve special roles in leadership. They must lead all staff teams towards practice goals while also navigating their unique seat at the table with their doctors as they convey practice health and issues from staff to owners and partners. Share a story of how you lead your team to success in 2018 or 2019 in these ways.
Education
OMS practice administrators provide on-going education for their team and for themselves. They often facilitate meaningful continuing education for referrals as well. How have you brought a unique educational opportunity to your team, yourself, or your referrals in 2018 or 2019?
Authenticity
Maya Angelou said that “People will forget what you said, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Every great leader is authentic when they interact with even the most difficult of people. From interactions with doctors to staff to clients, being authentic can mean being vulnerable, but the result of this risk is often reward, whether that means clearer communication, better programs, stronger relationships, or loyal staff and customers. Share a story of how your authenticity benefited your practice in 2018 or 2019.
Innovation
Practice administrators have to think outside the box to make intentional improvements in their practices for growth and profitability. Share a story about an innovation you implemented in 2018 or 2019 and how it affected your practice.
Compliance
Exemplary practice administrators know that staying in compliance with laws and regulations means staff and patient safety, as well as protecting the practice from risk, even if this is a less exciting part of the job. Share a process or procedure that you are most proud of that demonstrates the emphasis you personally place on compliance.
Networking
Dana never met a stranger, and he and his friends were stronger because of it. SOMSA continues to thrive because of the exuberant way our members network at conferences and throughout the year, sharing ideas and strategies, and building relationships. Share a story from 2018 or 2019 of someone you have helped or a relationship you have built that helped you in your practice in a meaningful way.
Selection Process
The DLAYA Committee (currently the Board; if you’re interested in serving on this committee, email Linden) will review applications once the application period is closed. The winner will be announced at the 2020 Annual Conference.