Infocom
The Philippine Dental Association Information Committee
“Change i s always unsettling, but new perspectives and enthusiasm can also be invigorating.” The Information Committee, otherwise known as the Infocom, once again is more than prepared to take in another exciting year of information dissemination. A lot of noticeable changes have been initiated last year. And this year, the team still continues their work in its pursuit for excellence with the task given to them at hand. As we all know, the Infocom is part of PDA’s wide-ranging communication strategy which aims to improve and enhance the communication with its members. At the helm of the Information Committee is Dr. Stephen Almonte who heads the three major components of the Infocom, namely, The PDA Explorer (The official PDA Bulletin), The PDA Website (www.pda.ph), and The Journal of the Philippine Dental Association (JPDA). This year, we welcome new faces and talented people who are more than willing to contribute and be a part of this dynamic team.
Starting off with The Journal of the Philippine Dental Association (JPDA), we welcome the new Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Michelle Sunico-Segarra. Dr. Segarra, a graduate of the University of the Philippines and is currently a member of the state university’s academe.
The PDA Website (www.pda.ph) is still being chaired by Dr. Jeanne Marie Ciño, and will be working with a very talented and passionate internet- savvy dentist, who apparently is also one of the fresh faces of the team, Dr. Jesus Lecitona who is now designated as the new web content manager. Dr. Jess, hails from Pangasinan and amazingly travels to Manila regularly for our meetings! New revisions on the site will be continuously made that will definitely address and respond to the needs of our members. The website has also been redesigned to include CPE forms that can be acquired online, announcements on PDA-related activities and chapter/affiliate events may also be promoted through their president’s request.
The PDA Explorer on the other hand is now under the stewardship of one of the most dedicated and hardworking staff members I have had the privilege of working with, Dr. Arleen R. Reyes. An addition to the PDA Explorer family is Dr. Marie Arlene Christine T. Valerio, who is the new editor for the Lifestyle section and was a past president of the Pasig-Pateros-Taguig Chapter and awarded as the Outstanding NCR Chapter president 2008-2009. Dr. Florabelle T. Frondozo, a past president of the Las Pinas Dental Chapter and the editor-in-chief of their chapter’s newsletter, is the new editor for the Science and Technology section. Still with the Explorer team are its proactive and innovative staff members Dr. Alvin Laxamana, Dr. Teresa Lababit, Dr. Jeanne Marie Cino, and Dr. Mike Baybay. The PDA Explorer plans to release three issues this year, the primary purpose of which is to keep the members up-to-date not only with the current events and news within the PDA but also with the new trends and innovations that concern most especially the practice. This is also in compliance and in response to our Constitution and-by-laws regarding publication. The new Infocom team’s passion to write and inform will remain a commitment as we serve not only PDA but the members who give life to the organization.