Michigan Dental Assistants Association

P. O. Box 118

Lennon, MI 48449

Officer Spotlight

MDAA President

Web Page Coordinator

Barbara Gurnee CDA, R.D.A., BS, FADAA

Barb graduated with an Associated Degree in Dental Assisting in 1973 and a Bachelor Degree in Allied Health Education in 1983 from Ferris State University. She has been a member of ADAA and a Certified Dental Assistant since 1973, earned her license as a Registered Dental Assistant in 1979 and completed ADAA Fellowship June 2005. She has been employed at the Bay-Arenac ISD Career Center as a Dental Occupations Instructor for 30 years and works in various dental offices to keep updated. Barb has held most positions at the local level for Mid-MI Dental Assisting Society and is an active volunteer for numerous activities in her community such as planning & coordinating Helen M. Nickless Dental Clinic, HOSA, Blood Drives, Oral Hygiene Instruction, Sip All Day, Health Fairs, Children's Dental Health Month, Dental Career Awareness, Pig Gig, and her children's school and sports activities.

Barb and her husband, Mark, are the very proud parents of Jessica (32), 24 year old twins, Benjamin and Rachael, and 16 year old twins, Tyler and Matthew. Her hobbies include participating in sports along with watching her children participate, crafts, sewing, fishing, and volunteering.

The Ruth M. Edwards Service Award was awarded to her at the 2006 Annual Session. Barb's vision for Dental Assistants is to convince as many dental assistants as possible to join and maintain membership in the ADAA in an effort to present a united organization that offers greater opportunities for our profession. She also is eager to see three levels of dental assistants recognized in the state of Michigan. She challenges all Michigan Dental Assistants to earn their Fellowship Award! Her goal is to complete her Mastership in time for Hawaii!

Believe in yourself, your association, and teamwork and you can accomplish anything!