July 20, 2009
Contact: Gordon Hickey
Phone: (804) 225-4260
Cell Phone: (804) 291-8977
Internet: www.governor.virginia.gov
GOVERNOR KAINE CONGRATULATES VIRGINIA DENTIST ON NATIONAL SERVICE AWARD
~ Governor Kaine nominated Dr. Terry Dickinson for the National Governors’ Association Private Citizen Distinguished Service Award ~
Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced July 17 that Terry D. Dickinson, DDS, has been awarded the Private Citizen Distinguished Service to State Government Award by the National Governors’ Association (NGA). Selected among nominees from governors across the country, Dr. Dickinson was nominated by Governor Kaine for his outstanding public service in providing free dental care to thousands of underserved Virginians. Dickinson will receive his award at the annual NGA meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi on July 18, 2009. The NGA presents annual awards in three categories—outstanding contributions by private citizens, outstanding state officials, and outstanding contributions to the arts. This is the third time Governor Kaine’s nominee has received the Private Citizen Award, and the fourth time his nominee has received one of the NGA’s Distinguished Service to State Government Awards.
“Dr. Dickinson has taken his professional skill as a dentist and blended it with a deep personal compassion for others to make a significant difference for thousands of underserved Virginians and others across the nation,” said Governor Kaine. “He is a Virginia treasure whom I am immensely proud to have nominated for this award. His selection by the NGA confirms his outstanding service and compassion for others.”
In his role as the Executive Director of the Virginia Dental Association (VDA), Dr. Dickinson is the founder and driving force of the VDA’s “Mission of Mercy” or MOM Projects. Through the MOM Projects, Dickinson coordinates hundreds of volunteers, including dentists, dental hygienists, and others to provide free dental services to underserved Virginians. Since 2000, Dickinson has directed 39 MOM Projects across the Commonwealth which have provided more than $14.5 million in free dental care to over 30,000 patients. “I have been to several MOM Projects, and have witnessed first-hand what a difference Terry has made in providing quality dental care to so many Virginians in need,” Governor Kaine said.
Dickinson’s work on the MOM Projects has extended well beyond Virginia’s borders. In February, 2006, he coordinated a week long MOM Project in New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina victims. Treating 3,500 patients, it was the largest dental outreach project in history. The highly successful MOM Project has been replicated in several other states, including Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Nebraska, Colorado, West Virginia, Connecticut, and North Carolina.
The NGA Distinguished Service award also recognized Dickinson’s role in the restructuring of Virginia’s Medicaid/CHIP dental program to provide greater access to dental care for more than 450,000 children. Dickinson worked closely with state officials to create the new program and recruit additional dentists to care for the children. Due largely to his efforts, there has been a 100% increase in participating providers, and a 55% increase in the percentage of eligible children receiving care.
The NGA Awards Program for Distinguished Service to State Government was established in 1976 to provide annual recognition for distinguished service to state government by key state officials and private citizens, and to focus governmental and public attention on the importance of these contributions and the vitality and creativity of state administrations. In 2006, Governor Kaine nominated John O. “Dubby” Wynne who received the award for his work with the Council on Virginia’s Future. In 2007, Governor Kaine nominated Frank Batten for his philanthropy supporting Virginia educational institutions. In 2007, Dr. Robert Stroube, then commissioner of the Virginia Department of Health, received the Outstanding State Official award from the NGA.
