2025 LIST OF BERGEN OFFICERS
Vice President:
Secretary:
Patricia Fernandez
Treasurer & CE Chair:
Joanna Campbell
NJDHA Director:
Lynn Safar
Shelter Project:
Judy Bertola
Bergen officers can be reached here:
Our friend, mentor, and advocate for our dental hygiene profession Winnie Furnari, MS, RDH, FAADH, FAAFS, FADE, FADHA passed away on April 20, 2023. Winnie led a distinguished career committed to exceptional research, education, clinical practice and professional associations. She was awarded and recognized throughout her career for her numerous academic achievements, scientific contributions and expertise particularly in forensic dentistry and ethics. Winnie dedicated countless years and efforts to the ADHA through the student, component, constituent and national levels in many roles, generously serving the dental hygiene profession and the continuity of our organization. Winnie served the NJDHA membership for many years and would tell us to continue to move forward, speak up for things we believe and to never stop championing for our association.
The Bergen component is sad to announce that our president, Maria Workman, passed away on Monday, October 14, 2024.
This was very unexpected; She was looking forward to getting back to in-person meetings after 4 years of virtual ones. Maria would say that she never missed a hygiene conference since 1963 when she joined the dental hygiene association after graduation.
In these last years, it was the Bergen and NJ hygienists who benefited most from her service after a successful career journey that started with private practice, teaching, and public health. Plus multiple volunteer activities for children as well as Advisory Boards who sought her opinion and judgment.
Maria had the best knack for writing letters to get courtesy services and products for use at the Paterson Public School’s Clinic. She became a strong mentor to every student that rotated through her classes. She had the perseverance to read & understand & improve documents such as our bylaws, contracts or insurance terms. Maria became the workhorse behind the virtual conferences set up by Bergen with their extensive CEU follow ups these past few years.
Maria’s stamina to work through hardships with her good ability to lead in all component activities will be forever respected and genuinely missed.
The Bergen Component Board
This award is presented to one second year student at each New Jersey Dental Hygiene Program who exhibits outstanding leadership qualities. This award will assist NJDHA in identifying future leaders in the Dental Hygiene profession.
