The American Dental Association (ADA) has appointed its first woman executive director. The ADA Board of Trustees recently announced the appointment of Dr Kathleen T. O'Loughlin as its executive director/chief operating officer, effective June 1.

The announcement marked the end of an 11-month search for a new executive director. 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 said, 'I am incredibly honoured to accept this position. 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.'