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Ms. Lynch is a Registered Nurse and the Director of the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Healthcare (AAAHC) Institute for Quality Improvement. Her role is to develop the AAAHC quality improvement research strategy, analyze and report accreditation performance results against national clinical practice guidelines and evidence-based health care literature, and provide easily implementable and practitioner-focused tools that increase patient and employee safety to facilitate organizational compliance with AAAHC Standards. After spending the first 22 years of her career in acute care nursing and leadership roles, Julie found a passion for oral health care. For several years, she served as the Director of Clinical Development for a national group of oral health partnerships supporting quality management and improvement endeavors through accreditation, professional development, provider credentialing verification and regulatory compliance. Julie received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Concordia University Wisconsin and her Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. Vice-Chair Dr. Kelli C. Mack is a retired US Air Force (USAF) Colonel and a licensed dentist in California and Texas with 29 years of experience in organized dentistry. She earned her bachelor’s degree in microbiology and a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Howard University College of Dentistry in 1989 and 1995 respectively. Additionally, Dr. Mack completed a fellowship in patient safety and infection prevention and control (IPC) at Veterans Affairs Pittsburg Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2013. She has successfully directed dental IPC programs for more than 21 years and has experience with private sector, Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and military dental clinics. Dr. Mack has contributed to IPC policy development for over 700 Defense Health Agency treatment facilities including Air Force, Space Force, Army and Navy hospitals and clinics. As the Consultant to the USAF Surgeon General for Dental Patient Safety and Infection Control, she directed the Patient Safety and IPC programs for 76 USAF and Space Force clinics. In this role she developed and published guidelines, created training tools and provided consulting, trouble shooting and surveillance. Dr. Mack is a recognized expert in dental IPC and patient safety and has provided consultation services and lectures to healthcare personnel throughout the United States and the Caribbean. She has been a member of Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) committees to review and analyze national dental exam questions to help standardize and develop IPC exam certifications. She is currently an independent consultant and serves as the Vice Chair of the Association for Dental Safety’s (ADS’s), Board of Directors, which is the only membership association solely focused on dental infection prevention and patient safety education and training.
Immediate Past Chair Dr. Rai is the Director of Health and Safety and Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences at UCSF School of Dentistry. She is an alumna of UCSF School of Dentistry where she earned her DDS Degree in 2009. Dr. Rai has been active in private practice and academia after finishing her Advanced Education in General Dentistry at UT Dental Branch, Houston, in 2010. It’s her passion to continue advancing health and safety practices and improving standard of care in terms of infection prevention and control in dental health care settings. Dr. Rai has served as the Director of Health and Safety at UCSF School of Dentistry since 2018 where she has successfully led the school through the last Commission On Dental Accreditation (CODA) site visit and ensured safe operations at UCSF Dental Center through the COVID-19 pandemic. She has been instrumental in the implementation of various evidence-based measures safeguarding the frontline dental workers and patients during the pandemic. In her day-to-day role, she manages a successful Infection Prevention Program at the 17 dental clinics that fall under UCSF Dental Center, many of which student learners receive their clinical education.
Treasurer Ms. Moore is a consultant and speaker focused on infection prevention and healthcare compliance. She began her career as a Registered Dental Hygienist before becoming an adjunct Dental Hygiene faculty member at Bristol Community College. She’s authored journal articles, collaborated with the CDC on their Foundations: Building the Safety Dental Visit program and with 3M and the Midmark Corporation as an educational consultant. Currently, she serves as a member on AAMI and ADA Standards working groups. Joyce is a Certified Registered Central Service Technician, holding a certification through the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA). She was the 2019 recipient of the ADS Emerging Infection Control Leader award and has earned the Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate, the Certified in Dental Infection Prevention and Control (CDIPC) certification, and the Dental Industry Specialist in Infection Prevention and Control (DISIPC) certification.
Secretary Zecki Dossal, MBA, is a Senior Director at Henry Schein, where he drives commercial growth and recurring revenue strategy, leading new market expansion and enterprise value creation. He has launched high-margin ventures, scaled subscription-based business models, and led strategic growth across North America and EMEA. Previously, Zecki was a Senior Vice President at GLG, overseeing strategy and operations for the private equity and venture capital business. He advised investment teams on deal evaluation, portfolio optimization, and value creation. He also founded GLG’s social impact initiatives, helping high-growth social enterprises accelerate decision-making and scale. Zecki holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA in Economics from Columbia University. He serves on the Boards of the Association for Dental Safety and the Global Partnerships Forum and is an Advisory Board Member of NEXUS and The Resolution Project.
Director Liliana Junqueira de P. Donatelli is a biologist (University of São Paulo – USP) and holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from the Faculty of Medicine of Botucatu. She furthered her expertise in Biosafety at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation and completed an MBA in Infection Control as well as in Health and Wellness Management. In 2021, she achieved certification in Infection Prevention and Control in Dentistry from both ADS and DANB (CDIPC), with recertification in 2022, 2023, 2024, and ongoing. In 2014, Liliana served as a substitute professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Botucatu (FMB-UNESP), teaching Public Health and Occupational Health subjects. A member of ADS (Association for Dental Safety, formerly OSAP), she is responsible for managing the Brazilian page in the international section of the ADS website. Liliana was honored with the Milton Schaefer Award in 2025 and the Bette and Paul Schwartz Award in 2019, both conferred by ADS during its annual conferences. Since 2001, Liliana has spearheaded the "Biossegurança em Odontologia Cristófoli" project and, since 2008, the "Beauty & Body Art" initiative. She has delivered hundreds of courses and presentations, nationally and internationally, reaching tens of thousands of professionals—including dentists, dental assistants and technicians, students, health surveillance inspectors, tattoo artists, body piercers, podologists, and manicurists, as well as Cristófoli group collaborators. Liliana is also a successful blogger. Since its launch in 2011, her "Biossegurança Blog" has surpassed 6.8 million visits, serving as an interactive space dedicated to news and insights in Health, Beauty, Infection Control, and updates from her "Biossegurança em Odontologia" and "Beauty & Body Art" projects, as well as industry conferences and events. The blog received the TOPBLOG 1 Brazil Health award from the popular jury in 2013, the TOPBLOG 2 academic jury award in 2012, and the TOPBLOG 2 popular jury award in 2011, cementing its ongoing success. An acclaimed speaker, Liliana is regularly invited to speak at national and international conferences in dentistry and beauty. She taught the Infection Control course at the XL Ecuadorian Congress of Dentistry and presented at the ADS annual meetings in the United States in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and again in 2025 as a main program speaker. For three consecutive years, she served on the scientific committee for this event. Notably, she was a speaker at the “Greater New York Meeting” in 2017. Liliana also coordinates the "GerAção Biossegurança" group, bringing together experts from the field. She frequently contributes articles to professional journals and is widely recognized as a leading authority on infection control in dentistry and beauty in Brazil. As the coordinator of the "Biossegurança Cristófoli" project, she has authored numerous publications for both consumers and professionals, such as the "Manual de Biossegurança em Odontologia." Since 2008, through the Beauty & Body Art project, she has offered extensive training for beauty industry professionals. She authored the “Step-by-Step Guide for Manicurists: How to Clean and Sterilize Manicure Tools” and revised the biosafety section of the Embelleze Institute’s course manual. Liliana has organized and presented several educational videos, including “Practical Biosafety Tips in Dentistry,” “Beauty and Health in Your Hands,” “Top Biosafety Tips,” among others. Embracing technological advancements, she launched the “A Window to Biosafety” project in 2014 - an innovative platform for webinars, video conferences, and online consulting. In 2016, she launched the “Biossegurômetro” game at the ADS meeting in San Diego and at Brazil’s CIOSP. She coordinated the scientific review of the Portuguese translation of the 6th edition of Infection Control and Management of Hazardous Materials for the Dental Team by Chris Miller (Elsevier, 2019). Liliana contributed to the chapter on Processing Instruments, Surfaces, and Equipment for the book Impact of Covid-19 on Dental Clinics (Ed. Napoleão, 2021) and authored the biosafety chapter in the recently published book Hospital Dentistry: Management and Care Protocols (Ed. Santos, 2025), organized by Juliana Bertoldi Franco. In 2025, she coordinated the participation of the Association for Dental Safety (ADS) at CIOSP, facilitating collaboration among leading Brazilian dental institutions interested in advancing dental biosafety standards.
Director CDR Ellis is currently assigned to the Bemidji Area Indian Health Service (IHS), Office of Clinical Support, where he serves as the regional Infection Prevention and Patient Safety Consultant to the Area. He is a member of the Bemidji Area Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and Quality Assurance Risk Management Committee (QARM). CDR Ellis previously served as the first incumbent Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator for the IHS Agency and as the IHS Portland Area Institutional Environmental Health Consultant where he also served collaterally as the Public Health Emergency Management Coordinator. He has provided Agency-wide support on infection control issues and led multiple infection prevention capacity building efforts and improvement initiatives across the IHS and Tribal healthcare delivery landscape. CDR Ellis is CBIC Board Certified in Infection Prevention and Control® (CIC), a Registered Environmental Health Specialist (REHS), and an authorized OSHA General Industry Trainer. CDR Ellis is a United States Army Infantry veteran and has completed healthcare infection control and safety position tenures within private healthcare consulting firms, the University of Kentucky Medical Center, and the Veteran’s Healthcare Administration. He has earned the Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate, and the Certified in Dental Infection Prevention and Control (CDIPC) certification. He currently serves on the ADS Board of Directors.
Director Kim is a seasoned professional in the dental industry, currently serving as the Director of Client Learning at the AAAHC. Her journey began as a dental assistant and registered dental hygienist. She furthered her education with a Bachelor's Degree in Health Care Administration from Ottawa University and a Master of Jurisprudence (MJ) in Health Care Law from Loyola University. Additionally, she earned the Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate through ADS and DANB. Before joining the AAAHC, Kim worked as a Quality Assurance professional for three AAAHC-accredited dental groups. Her responsibilities included managing all aspects of their 1095 Strong mission, such as developing policies and procedures, staff training and education, directing the infection prevention and safety program, leading Quality Improvement initiatives, and managing accreditation surveys from start to finish. One of the dental groups she worked with was honored as the 2018/2019 Bernard Kershner QI Award Winner for their Caries Risk Assessment Quality Improvement Project. Kim is passionate about public health. In 2015, she played a key role in establishing a free dental clinic in her community and served on its Board of Directors until they transitioned care and operations to an FQHC in 2024. She also promotes patient safety in the dental infection control industry through publications, speaking engagements, and serving on the Association for Dental Safety (ADS) Board of Directors.
Director Dr. Richard P. Herman, DDS, is an accomplished dental leader with a distinguished career spanning private practice, public health, and professional association leadership. He has served as Chief Dental Officer for both Philanthropic Relief, Altruistic Service and Development (PRASAD) and the Jawonio Center for People with Disabilities and Special Needs, and was the Dental Director for the Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center. Dr. Herman is noted for his expertise in practice management, regulatory compliance, community outreach, and the development of effective dental protocols. Dr. Herman’s service has extended to influential roles within the American Dental Association, where he chaired the Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention and contributed to key initiatives promoting a culture of safety in dentistry. His leadership includes terms as President of the Bronx County Dental Society and as a board member for the New York State Dental Association. A graduate of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine and City College of New York, Dr. Herman has been recognized with the Hertz-Bildner Distinguished Service Award and is a Fellow of the International College of Dentistry.
Director Erinne Kennedy, DMD, MPH, MMSc, graduated from Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine in 2015. She completed a 1-year GPR residency at a VA Hospital in 2016, a Dental Public Health residency in 2018, and a MMSc in Dental Education at Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 2019. She serves as the Assistant Dean for Curriculum and Integrated Learning at Kansas City University College of Dental Medicine in Joplin, MO.
Director Michele L. Lash, RDH, BA, CDIPC, is an accomplished Clinical Research Manager and educator with over 25 years of experience in dental hygiene. As a recognized leader in ultrasonic debridement, aerosol management, and infection prevention, Michele is known for her commitment to advancing evidence-based dental health practices. At Dentsply Sirona, she oversees clinical research and plays a vital role in strategic product development — ensuring compliance, innovation, and excellence in dental care. Her background includes roles as a dental hygiene instructor and a practicing clinician, further enriching her expertise and influence within the profession. Dedicated to education and professional development, Michele has developed training programs, facilitated national and international workshops, and acted as a hands-on clinical advisor for many industry events, including major dental conferences in the US and abroad. She is widely recognized for her contributions to infection control education, serving as an expert for key initiatives with ADS and the CDC. Michele’s volunteer spirit and leadership have earned her notable awards and citations, while her involvement with respected professional organizations demonstrates her ongoing commitment to both her colleagues and the advancement of the dental hygiene field.
Director Janie Shen is the Vice President of Marketing for the North American division of Medicom, a leading manufacturer and distributor, of quality infection prevention and control solutions including a wide assortment of personal protective equipment (PPE). With over 25 years of extensive experience in the medical device, dental, and infection prevention industries, she has a proven track record in strategic marketing, business development, product management, and commercialization strategies that have contributed to the growth and global brand recognition of companies including Straumann, Dentsply Sirona, and Crosstex (now HuFriedyGroup). Janie is committed to realizing Medicom’s vision of ensuring healthier lives and a safer world for all through awareness, education, and advocacy on infection prevention best practices.
Director Olivia is a practice attorney in her firm, The Law Office of Olivia Wann & Associates, established in 2013 as well as a compliance consultant for her company, Modern Practice Solutions, established in the year 2000. She also serves in the House of Delegates for the Tennessee Bar Association. As a lawyer, Olivia focuses on civil matters including legal matters for dental practices including regulatory defense, contracts, personnel matters, business entity formation and estate planning. In her consulting firm, Olivia serves as the Director of Education in creating content for training courses on infection control, OSHA, HIPAA and other CE programs. She presents seminars and webinars on the legal aspects of regulatory compliance and annual updates. Olivia was a former registered dental assistant and dental office manager. She found her passion for training and presenting courses on regulatory compliance. She served as a contributing author for ADA's Managing the Regulatory Environment: Best Practices, ADA Guide to OSHA Compliance for Dental Offices, and ADA OSHA Training: Guidance for the Dental Team. With her interest in compliance, she completed her bachelor's degree in health care administration and then attended the Nashville School of Law with a doctorate in jurisprudence.
Director Dr. Wright is the Chief Clinical Officer for Lane & Associates Family Dentistry, the largest group dental practice in North Carolina, as well as a Certified Team Dentist through the Academy for Sports Dentistry and serves as one of the team dentists for the Carolina Hurricanes NHL Hockey Team. A 1994 University of North Carolina School of Dentistry graduate, Dr. Wright has spent his entire professional career with Lane & Associates. Dr. Wright feels strongly about supporting outreach dental organizations, has volunteered for multiple Mission of Mercy dental clinics and dental buses, and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Wake Smiles Community Dental Outreach. He served as an elected member of the NC Board of Dental Examiners (2019-2022), is currently an Examiner with CDCA/WREB/CITA – nationwide dental competence testing agency, and attends many Continuing Education events to maintain a comprehensive knowledge of current trends and technology in dentistry.
Executive Director Michelle Lee, CPC, began her tenure as Executive Director of ADS in 2018. She has more than 30 years of experience in the dental and healthcare industries. In 2020 and 2021, she was recognized as one of Incisal Edge’s 32 Most Influential People in Dentistry. Her experience includes leading the Southeast’s largest dental and medical staffing firm, as well as consulting with dental practices, and providing leadership and team development training. Michelle is passionate about ADS’s mission to be the leading provider of infection prevention and control education, training, and credentialing that supports safe dental visits. |
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