Dr. Botko Steps Up as Transformational New Leader of AGD
Gerald (Gerry) J. Botko, DMD, MS, MAGD, FACD, FICD, describes himself as a transformational leader. And with the dental industry still recovering from the onset of a global pandemic while adjusting to a new normal and AGD pivoting to provide a broader set of benefits with nimbler leadership and membership models, a transformational leader is exactly what the organization needs.
“A transformational leader inspires others to achieve goals and has a good understanding of organizational needs. I have clear goals, and I am enthusiastic and passionate about our organization,” said Botko.
Botko has been an active member of AGD since 1983. Prior to his appointment as vice president in 2019, his involvement included serving on the PACE and Communication councils for two terms; as president of the VA constituency; as Region 17 regional director and national trustee; as president of the AGD Foundation Board (on which he is currently a consultant); and as division coordinator for the Public and Professional Relations Division and Advocacy-Representation Division. He has lectured at AGD scientific sessions, delivered several webinars and written articles for AGD Impact, and he is a national speaker for AGD. He also serves as an article reviewer for The Journal of Dental Education. His involvement within the organization on various levels and positions, as well as the past two years on the Executive Committee, has given him valuable insight on how best to approach issues as AGD’s leader.
“My time in the presidential line has prepared me to work more efficiently with our board, councils and committees,” Botko said. “In my leadership roles, I have always worked by trying to understand the problem first before adding my opinion. I also believe that attitude is very important when looking for the best new ideas and that change is sometimes necessary for progress. Having a positive attitude is paramount to good teamwork. Understanding the leadership roles and responsibilities along with the challenges of governance has helped me as an incoming president.
“AGD leaders are catalysts, or the ‘get-it-done-and-then-some’ people. Communication with vision and facts is the focus of gaining consensus, which was proven time and again with our councils and committees during the pandemic as we reacted swiftly to both inform and communicate protocols and actions to protect our members and their practices.”
In his time within the presidential line, Botko was involved in the organization’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and hiring of Executive Director Colleen Lawler, IOM, CAE. Additionally, AGD launched its new membership model, offering both Premium and Premium Plus levels of membership, and the Government Evaluation and Review Committee was created to begin the process of assessing AGD’s governmental structure in order to offer ways to streamline and increase efficiency and effectiveness. With so many new initiatives and ongoing challenges, Botko has several objectives for how to keep the organization’s momentum strong.
“The progressive AGD must encourage flexibility, adaptability and creative thinking,” Botko said. “I hope to accomplish the following during my time as president: I want to continue the initiatives that the three presidents and the board have started. I also plan to initiate succession development to create a proactive system to fill council and committee positions so that planned and unplanned losses of key leadership positions can be filled without interruption. AGD faces many threats from outside forces, such as government regulation, third-party payer issues and student debt. The solutions to many of these issues have already been started in the two years I have been a member of the Executive Committee, and I will continue the initiatives and work to make progress toward our advocacy goals. I want to ensure AGD has financial stability, and I plan to do all I can to increase recognition of our organization from the public. I will also do everything in my power to create an effective culture rooted in transparency, collaboration and trust. I will always listen to understand before being heard myself.”
His main goal, however, is far more personal: “One key area that still requires attention is membership,” he said. “AGD’s new membership model is a major initiative toward addressing this challenge within the organization. However, a simple solution is that membership starts with every member. If each one of us recruits one nonmember by sharing our story about the positive ways AGD has influenced our success as general dentists, our membership will double. The continuing education and networking opportunities in AGD are the source of my successful career in dentistry. I want to ensure that all general dentists have the opportunity to grow and thrive as well-educated dentists with access to the latest technology, modalities and treatments as AGD members.”
As he steps into this leadership role, Botko exhibits a special enthusiasm for the opportunities he will have during his term to impact the organization. “My mantra has always been and will always be that I want to make a difference while I am on this earth. I want to give back to a profession that has given me so much — a profession that has sustained me during many tragic events in my life. AGD and its members are vital to the practice of general dentistry as we know it. AGD ensures high-quality education is available to general dentists, and its membership is made up of clinically superior professionals. If our activities inspire others to learn more, do more and become more, then we have achieved our goal as an organization.
“I ran for office to make a difference. My commitment to that goal has not changed. I will strive to bring AGD to the height of relevance in organized dentistry among both members and potential members. Becoming nimble, proactive, efficient, effective and forward-thinking will formulate the future of AGD.” Botko took office Nov. 19 during AGD’s annual meeting in Chicago and will serve for one year as president.
Caitlin Davis is associate editor of AGD Impact. To comment on this article, email impact@agd.org.
“A transformational leader inspires others to achieve goals and has a good understanding of organizational needs. I have clear goals, and I am enthusiastic and passionate about our organization,” said Botko.
Botko has been an active member of AGD since 1983. Prior to his appointment as vice president in 2019, his involvement included serving on the PACE and Communication councils for two terms; as president of the VA constituency; as Region 17 regional director and national trustee; as president of the AGD Foundation Board (on which he is currently a consultant); and as division coordinator for the Public and Professional Relations Division and Advocacy-Representation Division. He has lectured at AGD scientific sessions, delivered several webinars and written articles for AGD Impact, and he is a national speaker for AGD. He also serves as an article reviewer for The Journal of Dental Education. His involvement within the organization on various levels and positions, as well as the past two years on the Executive Committee, has given him valuable insight on how best to approach issues as AGD’s leader.
“My time in the presidential line has prepared me to work more efficiently with our board, councils and committees,” Botko said. “In my leadership roles, I have always worked by trying to understand the problem first before adding my opinion. I also believe that attitude is very important when looking for the best new ideas and that change is sometimes necessary for progress. Having a positive attitude is paramount to good teamwork. Understanding the leadership roles and responsibilities along with the challenges of governance has helped me as an incoming president.
“AGD leaders are catalysts, or the ‘get-it-done-and-then-some’ people. Communication with vision and facts is the focus of gaining consensus, which was proven time and again with our councils and committees during the pandemic as we reacted swiftly to both inform and communicate protocols and actions to protect our members and their practices.”
In his time within the presidential line, Botko was involved in the organization’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and hiring of Executive Director Colleen Lawler, IOM, CAE. Additionally, AGD launched its new membership model, offering both Premium and Premium Plus levels of membership, and the Government Evaluation and Review Committee was created to begin the process of assessing AGD’s governmental structure in order to offer ways to streamline and increase efficiency and effectiveness. With so many new initiatives and ongoing challenges, Botko has several objectives for how to keep the organization’s momentum strong.
“The progressive AGD must encourage flexibility, adaptability and creative thinking,” Botko said. “I hope to accomplish the following during my time as president: I want to continue the initiatives that the three presidents and the board have started. I also plan to initiate succession development to create a proactive system to fill council and committee positions so that planned and unplanned losses of key leadership positions can be filled without interruption. AGD faces many threats from outside forces, such as government regulation, third-party payer issues and student debt. The solutions to many of these issues have already been started in the two years I have been a member of the Executive Committee, and I will continue the initiatives and work to make progress toward our advocacy goals. I want to ensure AGD has financial stability, and I plan to do all I can to increase recognition of our organization from the public. I will also do everything in my power to create an effective culture rooted in transparency, collaboration and trust. I will always listen to understand before being heard myself.”
His main goal, however, is far more personal: “One key area that still requires attention is membership,” he said. “AGD’s new membership model is a major initiative toward addressing this challenge within the organization. However, a simple solution is that membership starts with every member. If each one of us recruits one nonmember by sharing our story about the positive ways AGD has influenced our success as general dentists, our membership will double. The continuing education and networking opportunities in AGD are the source of my successful career in dentistry. I want to ensure that all general dentists have the opportunity to grow and thrive as well-educated dentists with access to the latest technology, modalities and treatments as AGD members.”
As he steps into this leadership role, Botko exhibits a special enthusiasm for the opportunities he will have during his term to impact the organization. “My mantra has always been and will always be that I want to make a difference while I am on this earth. I want to give back to a profession that has given me so much — a profession that has sustained me during many tragic events in my life. AGD and its members are vital to the practice of general dentistry as we know it. AGD ensures high-quality education is available to general dentists, and its membership is made up of clinically superior professionals. If our activities inspire others to learn more, do more and become more, then we have achieved our goal as an organization.
“I ran for office to make a difference. My commitment to that goal has not changed. I will strive to bring AGD to the height of relevance in organized dentistry among both members and potential members. Becoming nimble, proactive, efficient, effective and forward-thinking will formulate the future of AGD.” Botko took office Nov. 19 during AGD’s annual meeting in Chicago and will serve for one year as president.
Caitlin Davis is associate editor of AGD Impact. To comment on this article, email impact@agd.org.