Interim museum director named

Baltimore鈥擡lza Dunning, former executive director of the Maryland State Dental Association, will serve as the National Museum of Dentistry’s interim director during the search for an NMD director. Her appointment is effective July 1, 2009.

Ms. Dunning joined the museum as director of operations in 2005 after decades of experience as a lobbyist and chief executive in Maryland, including 17 years as the MSDA director. She is currently secretary of the board of the Maryland Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped.

Rosemary Fetter announced her retirement effective June 30 (ADA News Today June 9), citing pride in NMD’s Smithsonian affiliation, congressional designation as the official museum of the dental profession and the many visitors, especially children, who “learned the importance of oral health through NMD exhibitions and programs.”

A search committee includes University of Maryland, Board of Visitors of the Museum and Smithsonian Institution representatives. “It is hoped that a new director will be in place by this fall,” an NMD spokeswoman said. Michael Sudzina, immediate past chair of the NMD board of visitors, chairs the search committee.