AAPD CEO John S. Rutkauskas on the Past Quarter Century of AAPD
In this very special episode of little teeth, BIG Smiles, host Dr. Joel Berg is joined by Dr. John Rutkaushas on the verge of his retirement after 27 years as American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and AAPD Foundation CEO. Dr. Rutkauskas shares his personal highlights from his career, many of which made a profound impact on the profession – from elevating advocacy and education to strengthening the voice of pediatric dentists nationwide. He also reflects on the vision, dedication, and transformative leadership that helped shape the AAPD into the organization it is today, positioned to continue its mission of optimal oral health for all children.
Guest Bio:
John S. Rutkauskas, M.S., D.D.S., M.B.A., CAE, is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), a position he has held since July 1999. He is also the Chief Executive Officer of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation. Prior to joining the AAPD, Dr. Rutkauskas served for eight years as Executive Director of the Federation of Special Care Organizations in Dentistry, which represents organizations focused on hospital dentistry, geriatric dentistry, and dentistry for persons with disabilities. He has a wealth of experience and interest in public policy related to issues of medical necessity, federally funded dental programs, residency training, and clinical care guidelines, best practices, and policies. His clinical interests include treating patients with medically compromising conditions.
Under his leadership during the past 26 years, the AAPD has significantly increased membership and focused the association’s efforts on public policy. He was instrumental in establishing the association’s first political action committee which has increased visibility in Washington of the 11,000-member organization. He oversaw the AAPD Foundation’s first successful fundraising capital campaign and coordinated the successful merger of an affiliated association. He was instrumental in creating two leadership development tracks in association with Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School to meet the growing needs of the AAPD membership.
Raised in Illinois, Dr. Rutkauskas received his undergraduate degree as well as a Master of Science degree from the University of Chicago. He received his dental degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago, his residency training in general practice at the University of Chicago, and a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He is a fellow of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry for Persons with Disabilities, and the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry. In June 2002, he was inducted as a fellow in the prestigious Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. He received the designation of CAE (Certified Association Executive) from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) in June 2002. In 2012, he received the Outstanding Public Advocacy Award on behalf of the Friends of the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (FNIDCR) for being a champion for oral health care for special patient populations. The Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland bestowed fellowship on him in 2018. He is Senior International Dental Ambassador of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
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