b"B Y D R . D A V I D O K A N OPRESIDENT'S MESSAGESeveral months into my term as President, Ive realized thatCompetition annually. This competition has been taking this opportunity has given me an even greater appreciationplace since 1960! As members have come to expect, the for my fellow AAP members. Through my visits to variousAcademy consistently shares innovative research through regional periodontal societies, Ive been able to connect withthe Journal of Periodontology (JOP) and Clinical Advances professionals across the country. The AAP strongly valuesin Periodontics (CAP). these connections, and that plays a big part in supporting the field of periodontics and our member periodontists. OneIncreasing awareness of periodontal and peri-implant of the primary ways in which the Academy provides thishealth through social media (Objective 4) ties in well support is through the creation of the Strategic Plan, whichwith providing exceptional member value (Objective 1). sets the tone for the following year.Through improved marketing and public relations, we are sharing more with AAP members, and about AAP Beginning on page 6 of this issue, you can find a summarymembers. In addition, we are informing the general of the AAPs 2023 Strategic Plan, which cohesively explainspublic about periodontal and peri-implant health with new the six objectives of the Academy and how we are going toand improved consumer brochures, new marketing and achieve them. I want to briefly touch upon these objectives,public relations initiatives, and more. Read more about as I find that we really are taking a new approach this year.how the Academy is focusing on increasing awareness We are looking to the future and making changes that weon page 7.believe will best benefit AAP members and the organization as a whole. The first AAP objective is providing exceptionalThe AAP Board of Trustees does an astounding job of member value, and this means listening to members andcultivating the leaders of tomorrowthe Academys fifth what they want so that is exactly what the AAP has done.objective. One of my favorite initiatives for this objective is our Leadership, Engagement, Action, and Development After conducting a member survey and gaining insight(LEAD) program which you can learn more about on into members opinions, the Academy decided to focuspage 34. I also strongly value the scholarships that we on improving member communications by utilizing neware able to provide for our members education and platforms. The AAP is taking a more personal, connectiveresearch with the help of our partners.approach by including members in communications and allowing their voices to be heard like never before. This isFinally, the AAPs sixth objective of the Strategic Plan just one of the ways that exceptional member value is beingfocuses on sustaining organizational viability. The provided, and you can read more about what else is beingAcademy accomplishes this objective through our done on page 6.partnerships with the American Board of Periodontology and the American Academy of Periodontology The second objective in the Strategic Plan relates toFoundation. See page 7 for more details on 2023 advocacy, which in our case, refers to advocating on behalfinitiatives to sustain organizational viability.of periodontal professionals regarding state and federal legislation. The AAP partners with allied organizations onI encourage you to read more about the Strategic Plan on certain pieces of legislation. To learn more about whatthe following pages. You may already be seeing some of the AAP has supported in the past, visit www.perio.org/ these initiatives in action, and you may even be a part of for-members/advocacy and read more on pages 6-7 aboutthem! In order for the organization to continue its upward current and future efforts and partnerships.trajectory, we can all agree that collaboration between AAP staff and members is crucial, and I am elated One of my favorite objectives is the AAPs third objective:to be a part of new plans and initiatives to drive this advancing science. There are so many things to be learnedcollaboration forward! and questions to be asked! This objective not only allows for innovative work to take place, but it allows that workSincerely,to be shared, presented, and discussed with fellow AAPDavid Okano, DDS, MS members. One of the many ways the Academy advancesPresident science is by holding the prestigious Balint Orban MemorialAmerican Academy of PeriodontologyAAP Periospectives| 5"