Leadership Awards 

Dr. James J. Crawford Lifetime Achievement Award

This award, named in honor of one of the founding fathers of dental infection control, recognizes lifetime achievement in the field. Awardees have made major contributions in science, education, or public policy related to ADS’s core competencies of infection control and patient and provider safety.

Jackie Dorst, RDH
2025 Award Recipient

Jackie Dorst’s remarkable career has been defined by her unwavering commitment to infection prevention, patient and provider safety, and the advancement of science and education in dental infection control. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and a Dental Hygiene degree, her foundation in scientific research and clinical practice has positioned her as a leading expert in dental safety. For more than 35 years, Ms. Dorst has dedicated her career to educating dental healthcare professionals. As an internationally recognized speaker, she has educated thousands of dental professionals on best practices in instrument sterilization, OSHA safety compliance, and infection control protocols. Her presentations at esteemed organizations such as the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Association of Endodontists, and major international congresses in Paris and Yokohama reflect her global impact.

Beyond speaking engagements, her involvement in organizations such as the Association for Dental Safety (ADS) and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), underscore her leadership and dedication to the field. She has not only shared knowledge but also shaped policies and practices that have directly improved the safety and well-being of dental professionals and their patients. She was a pivotal member of the American Association of Orthodontists COVID task force, guiding this profession through many hurdles so they could keep their providers and patients safe.

Previous award recipients:

Dr. Milton E. Schaefer Superior Service Award

This award is named after one of the founding members of ADS and celebrates superior service to the organization, recognizing either continuous contributions over a period of time or singular accomplishments. The nominee’s efforts have resulted in tangible benefits to the continuing advancement of ADS’s mission to be the leading provider of infection prevention and control education, training, and credentialing that supports safe dental visits.

Liliana Donatelli, BS, MBA, MPH, CDIPC
2025 Award Recipient

Liliana Donatelli is a long-term member of ADS who exemplifies dedication to ADS’s mission and values. She has consistently demonstrated a commitment to lifelong learning and is a regular attendee at annual meetings. A previous recipient of the Bette and Paul Schwarz Award for Volunteerism, her passion for dental infection prevention and safety is evident in everything she does.

Ms. Donatelli has gone above and beyond to extend ADS’s reach internationally – bringing the ADS message to dental practitioners across Brazil. Her efforts have included convening leaders from organized dentistry to promote The Safest Dental Visit™ and championing ADS’s role in raising the standard of care.

Most recently, Ms. Donatelli’s leadership at CIOSP 2025 was exceptional. She was instrumental in organizing an ADS-led scientific session and an invite for ADS to present in Brazil’s Federal Board of Dentistry’s arena. She also coordinated high-level meetings between ADS and key Brazilian dental organizations. These efforts laid the foundation for future collaboration and introduced ADS’s expertise to a broader audience.

She continues to work closely with ADS Executive Director Michelle Lee and ADS colleagues in Mexico to help shape and grow ADS’s global presence. Tireless in her commitment, passionate about the ADS cause, and generous with her knowledge, Liliana Donatelli is a true ambassador for dental infection prevention and safety.

Previous award recipients:

Emerging Infection Control Leader Award

The goal of the Emerging Leader Award is to help develop and promote the next generation of stars in the field of dental infection prevention and safety by identifying outstanding new infection control advocates.

Monica Satake, CDA, EFDA, CDIPC, BSEd, MHE
2025 Award Recipient

Monica Satake, CDA, CDIPC, BSEd, MHE, has been at the forefront of infection prevention and control education, demonstrating unparalleled leadership and expertise. Her extensive contribution to the dental community underscores her dedication to patient safety, compliance, and professional education.

Throughout her career, Ms. Satake has played a pivotal role in policy development, training, and program implementation. Most recently, in her role as a dental assistant, she has worked with multiple VA clinic dental chiefs to develop local policies, ensuring compliance and safety. Her collaboration with other clinical educators has been instrumental in establishing employee competencies and a peer review process.

In addition to policy development, Ms. Satake is a sought-after speaker and educator. Her efforts to raise awareness about human trafficking in the dental field through presentations at study clubs and academic institutions further highlights her commitment to public health and safety. 

Previous award recipients:

Dr. John S. Zapp Global Lecture

To honor and preserve Dr. Zapp’s memory, the Friends of ADS (formerly known as OSAP), a committed group of leaders who seek to integrate ADS initiatives into broader global health platforms, established the Dr. John S. Zapp Global Lecture. The lecture is intended to build bridges with global leaders to promote knowledge exchange about oral infection prevention and safety both for patients and providers of care.

Brett Kessler, DDS
2025 Lecturer

Dr. Brett Kessler, DDS, is widely recognized in the Colorado area as a dedicated dentist. Beyond his clinical work, he serves as a Trustee to the American Dental Association for the 14th District and is a Past President of the Colorado Dental Association.

Dr. Kessler exemplifies roles such as catalyst, seeker, writer, leader, mentor, and adventurer. He is also a passionate endurance athlete, having competed in numerous events across the country, including two finishes at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

His journey toward an inspired life began with his recovery from substance use disorder, a truth he openly shares. In 1998, Dr. Kessler chose to change his path to align with his vision for a better future. Through recovery, he committed to living his best life and contributing to a better world.

Dr. Kessler values the opportunity to share his experiences, both successes and failures, believing that openness encourages others to share their stories and make meaningful changes. He holds the belief that celebrating each person’s full self can significantly impact the transformation of the world for the better.

Previous lecturers include:

Bette and Paul Schwarz Award for Volunteerism

Jen Hawley Price, MAS, MS
2025 Award Recipient

Jen Hawley Price, MAS, MS, exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism celebrated by the Bette and Paul Schwarz Award. As the Chief Partnership and Engagement Officer at the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) and the DALE Foundation, she goes above and beyond in her support of ADS and its mission. Through tireless work, Ms. Hawley Price has played a pivotal role in advancing infection control resources, facilitating the Infection Control Consortium, and helping to develop the Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate, the CDIPC® certification, and the DISIPC® certification.

For the past three years, Ms. Hawley Price has contributed her expertise to the ADS Annual Conference Planning Committee, enriching the program and ensuring its relevance. She is a dedicated advocate, representing and promoting not only DANB and the DALE Foundation, but the ADS/DANB/DALE Foundation partnership nationwide and lending her voice to the importance of infection control. Her generosity of time, leadership, and dedication embody the very best of volunteer service, making a meaningful and lasting difference to the ADS community.

Previous award recipients:

Chair’s Citation Award 

Ramneek Rai, DDS, 2024 – 2025 ADS Chair of the Board, presented special citations to individuals who have enriched the organization by contributing a unique blend of talents, skills, hard work, and unwavering commitment to the advancement of dental safety.

• Eve Cuny, MS, CDIPC
• Karen Gregory, RN, CDIPC
• Emily Hammonds, MA
• Natalia Hurd, CMP
• Ashley Quackenbush, MPH, CHES
• David Reznik, DDS, ICD
• Michelle "MK" Sisco
• Sarah Stream, MPH, CDIPC, CDA, FADAA

James A. Cottone Award for Excellence in Investigative Research

This award is named for one of the founders of ADS who exemplified the best in infection control and safety research.

Richard Hankins, MD, MS
2025 Award Recipient
Abstract: Impact of Leadership in Infection Control: Insights from a National Dental Healthcare Personnel Survey

Previous award recipients:

Special Recognition Award for Leadership

Bestowed at the discretion of the ADS Board of Directors, this special leadership award recognizes individuals whose vision, works, or achievements have significantly influenced and broadly shaped dental infection control. Unlike other awards, this special recognition is not given annually.

Cynthia C. Durley, M.Ed., MBA
2021 Award Recipient

Ms. Durley is Executive Director of both the Dental Advancement through Learning and Education Foundation (the DALE Foundation) and the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB). She has been employed by DANB for more than 35 years and by the DALE Foundation since its incorporation in 2010. Ms. Durley has served on a number of federal and national task forces and committees and held leadership positions in national associations and organizations. Ms. Durley joined former OSAP Executive Director Therese Long, CAE, MBA, as a founding member of the national Infection Control Consortium and currently serves on the OSAP-DANB-DALE Foundation Infection Control Certificate/Certification Steering Commission. She is former Chair of the National Commission for Certifying Agencies [national accrediting commission for certification programs] and former President of the National Organization for Competency Assurance [national membership organization for certification organizations, now called the Institute for Credentialing Excellence].