The prestigious Dr. Thaddeus V. Weclew Award is given to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to the art and science of dentistry or has enhanced the principles and goals of AGD and has made exceptional efforts in promoting these ideals. Named for founder Dr. Thaddeus V. Weclew, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious awards given by AGD. This year’s winner, Kimberly R. Wright, DMD, MAGD, was awarded the honor at the Convocation Ceremony during AGD2023.

Wright is known by her colleagues as a continuing education (CE) enthusiast. Learning something new all the time is just who she is. Early in her career, she discovered AGD and found that, if she got involved in developing CE programs at the Oregon AGD, she could bring great speakers and faculty right to Oregon, saving herself both time and money because she no longer had to travel the globe in search of interesting education. Wright was one part of a team that brought to fruition the dream of having a dental CE facility in Oregon, where lectures and clinically based live-patient CE can be taught. Learning and perfecting a new skill each year has been Wright’s motto for over two decades.