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2025-2026 ADHA Foundation Chair
Erin Haley-Hitz, RDH, BSDH, MS, FADHA, MAADH
The role of the Foundation Chair is to advance the profession of Dental Hygiene through scholarship, research, and service. In alignment with ADHA, the ADHA Foundation supports oral healthcare professionals throughout their career.
These vital programs would not exist without the generous support of individuals like you, who care about oral health. Your donation makes this work possible. Every donation makes a difference to improve public health by increasing awareness of and access to quality oral healthcare.
“As the 2025–26 ADHA Foundation Chair, I’m honored to lead this important work. Together with our dedicated state liaisons and committees, we’re opening doors for dental hygienists and students across the country. Your support turns vision into reality. Help us shape the future of dental hygiene—and consider becoming a sustaining donor by joining the Legacy League today.”
ADHA Foundation Review Committees
Community Service Grant Review Committee
The Community Service Grant Review Committee includes four reviewers that possess an understanding and expertise in community service programming and performance measures. This Committee reviews all community service grant submissions in any given fiscal year and typically meets at least twice per year to make recommendations to the Board of Directors for Community Service Grant funding.
Research Grant Review Committee
The Research Grant Review Committee is composed of four reviewers that demonstrate prior knowledge and expertise in the field of oral healthcare and dental hygiene research. This Committee must review all research grant proposals for any given fiscal year and meets in the Spring to make recommendations to the Board of Directors for Research Grant funding.
Scholarship Review Committee
The Scholarship Review Committee consists of three reviewers that exhibit expertise in the field of dental hygiene higher education. This Committee must review all completed scholarship applications for each of the Foundation’s scholarships. This Committee meets in the Spring to make recommendations to the Board of Directors for Scholarship funding.
ADHA Foundation Liaison Committee
The ADHA Foundation Liaison Committee consists of four volunteer leaders, representing each of the ADHA Regions, who serve for a period of two years. This committee is vital to the growth and progress of our profession, and it is important that they function on a year-round basis. The primary focus of this committee is supporting the liaisons through training and mentorship while assisting with national fundraising activities. These groups play an integral role in the pursuit of our mission and goals.
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- Cathy Berard, Region A
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- Hali Householder, Region B
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- LeeAnn Winkler, Region C
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- Barbara Lynch, Region D
ADHA Foundation State Liaisons
Liaisons are volunteers, grassroots fundraisers, ADHA leaders, and change-makers. The fundraising they do on behalf of the Foundation directly contributes to scholarships, community service grants and research grants to dental hygienists throughout the United States. Liaisons also serve as chief communicators for Foundation opportunities such as open scholarships and grants. They are also advocates for their communities, working closely within the state and local chapters to communicate the needs of those communities to the National ADHA Foundation offices to better serve the dental hygiene community.
To show our appreciation for their efforts, the Foundation hosts an annual reception at the ADHA Annual Conference where we recognize several outstanding State Liaisons for their efforts. ANNUAL LIAISON AWARDS
Interested in becoming an ADHA Foundation Liaison? Email [email protected]
Mobile Dentistry Volunteer Opportunities
The ADHA Foundation has partnered with our friends at Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® to offer year-round involvement opportunities with their Mobile Community Program. As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to work with children in your community reinforcing the importance of maintaining good oral health habits.
Each of Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures’ mobile dental vans is a “dental office on wheels,” specially designed to help establish a friendly environment for all children. Staffed by volunteer dental professionals, the mobile dental vans feature two dental chairs and a waiting area where children learn about healthy habits.