ADA names Dr. Kathleen T. O'Loughlin as executive director
Experience includes private practice, education, research and management
Posted May 5, 2009
By Judy Jakush
The ADA Board of Trustees May 3 announced the appointment of Dr. Kathleen T. O'Loughlin of Medford, Mass., as the Association's executive director/chief operating officer, effective June 1.
Dr. Kathleen T. O'Loughlin
The announcement marked the end of an 11-month search for a new executive director. "Dr. O'Loughlin's background represents the right mix of experiences we sought in an executive director," said ADA President John S. Findley. "She has 20 years in private dental practice and public health dentistry plus 10 years' experience in dental education and research, and a decade of key leadership roles in management, strategic planning and business operations."
Prior to joining the ADA staff, Dr. O'Loughlin worked briefly for United Healthcare as its chief dental officer after having served as a consultant to both Tufts University School of Dental Medicine on curriculum development in preparation for expansion of the dental school facility and the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science, Forsyth School of Dental Hygiene in preparation for their 2009 accreditation.
She received her dental degree (summa cum laude) from Tufts in 1981 and a master's degree in public health and health care management from Harvard University School of Public Health in 1998. After starting in nursing school at Massachusetts General Hospital, she continued her education at Boston University, where she received her bachelor's degree in biology (cum laude) in 1973.
"I am incredibly honored to accept this position," Dr. O'Loughlin said. "It represents the pinnacle of my professional career. What a great opportunity to serve the profession I have loved for 30 years and what a tribute to my deceased father, Dr. John Treanor, who as a socially conscious general dentist of 35 years, was my role model and inspiration."
She is the first woman to hold the position of ADA executive director. Other firsts include her being the first female president of a Tufts dental school class and the first female valedictorian.
Dr. O'Loughlin's resume includes serving as a course director for Tufts School of Dental Medicine.
From 2002-07, Dr. O'Loughlin served as president and chief executive officer of Dental Services of Massachusetts Inc. (d.b.a. Delta Dental of Massachusetts) where, through her leadership, the company doubled its reserves, increased membership by 400 percent and executed a successful five-year growth plan.
Also during her leadership, DSM made charitable contributions of $53 million, which included endowed professorships at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston University School of Dental Medicine and the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science.
She also served as the president of the Oral Health Foundation of Massachusetts (now called DentaQuest Foundation) and is an assistant clinical professor in the Tufts Department of General Dentistry. She is a member of the Tufts University Board of Trustees.
For more than 25 years, Dr. O'Loughlin has been an active member in the American Dental Association, the Massachusetts Dental Society and the East Middlesex District Dental Society. She is a past co-chair of the scientific program committee of the Yankee Dental Congress, for which she has served in several roles including exhibits chair.
Dr. Findley said the response to the search process was overwhelming, and the Board was determined to select someone who could carry out the leadership's vision for the Association.
"Our goal is for the Association to be transparent and accountable to our members," the ADA president noted. "We are also America's leading advocate for oral health. In choosing an executive director, we sought an individual with the skills, education and background to move the organization forward with all these objectives in mind. We want to work with the executive director to build on what the Association already represents as the largest dental organization in the country."
The Search Committee consisted of nine trustees, five members of the House of Delegates, an ADA past president, a constituent society executive director and a member from academia. With the ADA president and president-elect serving as ex-officio members, the Search Committee identified the top candidates from the resumes submitted.
"It was gratifying to see the breadth of interest from across the country. Resumes came from members and heads of industry—individuals in the for-profit and the not-for-profit sectors," said Dr. Findley. The Search Committee presented the names of candidates to the Board of Trustees at its December 2008 meeting. Starting in January, the Board held a series of in-depth interviews with these candidates.
Dr. O'Loughlin is a member of the American College of Dentists and former editor of its New England Section. Other memberships include the International College of Dentists, the Santa Fe Group, Pierre Fauchard Academy, American Association of Women Dentists, and the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine Alumni Association.
She has served as a member of the ADA Workforce Models National Coordinating and Development Committee, the MDS Council on Public Affairs, the Massachusetts Oral Health Advocacy Task Force and Health Care For All: For the People, campaign co-chair.
She is also a member of the boards of directors of Oral Health America; Biomedical Science Careers Program of Harvard Medical School; and the Children's Dental Health Project, Washington, D.C.
She has been married 35 years to Stephen F. O'Loughlin, and the couple have four children ages 18-28.