During the February 2023 American Student Dental Association (ASDA) Annual Session in Seattle, the Louisville ASDA chapter – also known as LASDA – was named Gold Crown Chapter of the Year. This national award recognizes the chapter’s overall excellence in all six Gold Crown categories:

• Member Engagement and Value
• Community Service
• Advocacy
• Health & Wellness
• Member Communications
• Professional Development & Leadership

Before receiving the national award, LASDA was selected as the top chapter for District 7 – one of 11 districts representing dental schools across the country. Brianna Gill, president of the Louisville chapter, says the district award was a big win in itself. “We have incredible schools in our district who always excel and we look up to,” she says.

When the Louisville chapter members realized they had been selected as the national Gold Crown chapter, Gill says they were surprised and thrilled. “It puts our name out there. It shows our commitment to serving students here in Louisville,” she says.

In addition to serving as the University of Louisville’s chapter of ASDA, LASDA serves as the dental school’s student government. The group provides social events, outreach projects, advocacy opportunities, leadership development, wellness, networking opportunities, lunch and learns, and improvements around the school.

Becca Miller, vice president of the Louisville chapter, says it took a team effort in all of those areas to be recognized at the national level. “Our officer board is so committed. They work cohesively over the year, creating a sense of community and belonging.” She adds that chapter leaders were inspired when they attended the previous Annual Session in Louisville in 2022. “We realized just how strong we are, which motivated us to make our awards portfolio as strong as it can be.”

Gill says member engagement was a particularly strong area of the LASDA portfolio. “We really took a student-centered approach to our events. We considered people with children, families, all different circumstances in order to cater to every single student.”

Miller adds that the chapter’s advocacy efforts have been outstanding. For example, chapter members joined with the Kentucky Dental Association for Advocacy Day in Frankfort. “Being on the floor of the House for HB-370 signing was a big moment for Kentucky and our chapter.”

In addition, both Gill and Miller give credit to fellow LASDA member Judd Burns, who served as the ASDA District 7 Trustee in 2022. “Judd opened the world of the national organization to the Louisville chapter, which got us fired up,” Miller says. 

This year, Burns will take his leadership skills to the national level. During the Annual Session, he was elected Vice President of ASDA. Dr. T. Gerard Bradley, Dean of the School of Dentistry, says “to my knowledge, this is the first time a ULSD student has served in such a prominent national role.”

Whether their participation is large or small, Miller says being part of ASDA teaches students how to be leaders. “We've learned how important it is to advocate for yourself, your profession, and your patients.”

In addition to the chapter award, three LASDA members received individual honors during the event: 

• Judd Burns (Immediate Past District 7 Trustee and LASDA National ASDA Liaison), was elected as National ASDA Vice President
• Kierra Dages (LASDA Wellness Chair) was awarded Community Builder of the Year More details
• Brianna Gill (LASDA President) was awarded District 7 Delegate of the Year 

Learn more about LASDA at www.louisvilleasda.com

March 1, 2023