b'YOUR ACADEMY AT WORKCandidate for secretary/treasurerMy name is Mia Geisinger and it is an honor to be nominated for the position of Secretary-Treasurer of the American Academy of Periodontology. The AAP is OUR Academy and the importance of leadership and advocacy has been highlighted during these difficult times. We all should be proud of how our Academy has responded to the challenges of the past year. We can blend newly minted technological innovations into our future to grow and strengthen OUR SPECIALTY. As Albert Einstein said, In the midst of every crisis, Mia L. Geisinger, DDS, MS lies great opportunity. We need to seize this opportunity for the benefit of our members.It has been a privilege to serve the members of the AAP in many capacities: Board of Directors and President of the American Academy of Periodontology FoundationAAP Trustee- District IIIMember of the Executive Committee of the Southern Academy of Periodontology 2020 was a Chair of the American Dental Associations Council on Scientific Affairsrollercoaster 20 + AAP/AAPF committees and task forces. These experiences have served to create my vision to structure OUR Academy to meet year forthe evolving needs of YOU, the members.Having been a periodontist in private practice and currently serving as the Program periodontistsDirector for the Periodontology residency at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) provides a backdrop to understanding the needs of the practicing clinician, educators, and patientsand researchers in periodontics and dental implantology. Working with young people who are starting their careers in Periodontology is an awesome and humbling experience. It is across thea tremendous responsibility to make sure that they are well-prepared for private practice or a career in academics today and into the future. In a similar way, our Academy must country, butbe focused on moving our organization forward with the continued and future success of members in mind. it has alsoAs we move forward as a specialty, the core values of our organization must focus on the tasks that are integral to all of our practices: highlighted the The critical importance of periodontal health to oral and overall healthimportance Advancing the science and practice of periodontology and implant dentistry Advocating for periodontists in their day-to-day practice of engaged,The periodontal community faces threats from market forces, the undervaluing of our skills and expertise, a diminishing role in dental education, and roadblocks from third-party passionate,payers and other corporate interests. Furthermore, member recruitment and retention are and innovativeessential for the AAPs viability and ability to advocate and represent our members. While these challenges are significant, as an Academy we also have considerable leadership!opportunities. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of overall health and the influence of infection and inflammation on systemic health. Emerging evidence also highlights periodontitis as a factor in COVID-19 disease severity. This widespread focus on wellness offers a unique opportunity to highlight the critical importance of periodontists and our role in establishing and maintaining health and well-being.AAP Periospectives| 14102378_AAOP.indd14 3/18/212:36 PM'