b'PERIO PEOPLEhave a sense of belonging, which means you have to show them that your General/Dentistorganization deserves to have them there, she said. And I dont think thats a bad thing. We must recognize that members of the military and members of Continued from page 51 the AAP are volunteers. Its up to us to continually remind them of the value of just because Im a general. She stressed, however, that shemembership so theyll want to continue to stay. makes it clear to her patients that they are receiving CadillacOne development for which General Bannister gives Generations Y and Z treatment and she expects them to care for their teetha great deal of credit is our countrys increased emphasis on diversity and diligently going forward. inclusion. In whatever group or organization theyre in, young people want to A deep connection to the AAPlook around the room and see other people like themselves, she said. She applauds the AAP for devoting a lot of focus in recent years on women in General Bannister has been actively involved with the AAPperiodontics and the unique challenges they often face, particularly those who almost from the time she became a periodontist. She satare mothers. When I first sat on the AAP Board, there werent a lot of people on the In-Service Committee, serving as Chair for many ofwho looked like me, she said. Now there are, and its important for our the years served. She also served as the District 8 Trusteeyounger members to see that. She added, I see so much volunteerism, such on the AAP Board for six years, and she is the immediatea strong devotion to important causes, and such a strong desire to make this past president of the American Academy of Periodontologyworld a better place out of this generation. I love em! Foundation. The Foundation touches my heart, because it gives so much to young periodontists who want to buildTwo members of Gen Z General Bannister particularly loves are her two careers in education or be leaders in other ways in ourdaughters, whom she proudly describes as strong young leaders. One is profession, she explained. The Academy is making aentering her senior year at the University of Virginia, where she was the head global impact with the work we do, and Im very proud of it.delegate of the Model United Nations Organization and spent much of her She added, As with my military career, it has truly been atime in that capacity researching and arguing for changes that will improve blessing to be involved with an organization whose mission Ithe quality of life for people around the world. She is spending her summer as so deeply believe in. a volunteer with the Be Good Foundation helping enrich communities in need by providing bicycles as a catalyst for healing, empowerment, and evolution. Another Academy experience General Bannister treasuresGeneral Bannisters younger daughter is about to enter college in Europe to is chairing the task force for the Leadership, Engagement,study English and the Classics. Going to college overseas is something I Action and Development (LEAD) Program. It gave me awould never have even considered as an 18-year-old, she said with pride. chance to connect our young leaders with our seasonedIm so proud of the independent, intelligent leaders Ive raised.leaders in a variety of tracks, including clinical practice, education, research, and industry, she said. These youngMaking the most of her timeleaders want to be involved, and its really gratifying toWith all her military, periodontal and family responsibilities, General see them grow. According to General Bannister, while theBannister somehow finds time to occasionally indulge in her many hobbies, program has only been active since 2017, an impressivelyincluding hot yoga, Peloton workouts, hiking, fine restaurants, and travel. In large number of its participants are already involved in AAPaddition, she volunteers at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where she also committees, teaching in dental schools or CE programs,sits on the Board. lecturing at conferences, writing articles, and more.Im always looking for ways to help the veterans of a rough war feel valued Whether its in the military or in periodontics, I love gettingand respected, particularly because they werent necessarily made to feel that young people excited about what theyre doing, she said.way when they came home from Vietnam, she said.While the success of the LEAD Program has led all to conclude that the task forces work is done and the AcademyA shining star in two demanding professionshas made it one of its enduring programs, General BannisterFewer than 4,000 Americans are licensed to serve as practicing periodontists is very proud to have been invited to address the LEADand use the title Dr. before their name. Even fewer Americans have earned participants this coming October. the right to be addressed as General. Sharon Bannister is very likely the only One generals perspective on Generations Y and Z person on the planet who is both a certified periodontist and a Major General in the United States Air Force, yet she exudes humility in a way that is both In the business world there appears to be a perception thatpalpable and inspiring.younger workers today tend to be lazier, more sensitive, less loyal, and more demanding than prior generations. GeneralThere can be little doubt that every Airman under her command, and every Bannister begs to differ. In my experience, the memberspatient under her care, has unshakeable confidence in the capabilities, of Gen Y and Gen Z really want to get involved and make acharacter, and compassion of the remarkable leader running the operation. difference. They want to lead at an early age. They want to AAP Periospectives| 52'