WEST ALLIS, WIS. — Dr. Julio Rodriguez, a general dentist who lives and practices in Brodhead, Wis., was sworn in as the first Latino president of the 3,200-member Wisconsin Dental Association at the organization’s 143rd House of Delegates on Nov. 16 at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton, Wis.
In his acceptance speech, Rodriguez urged WDA member dentists and dental hygienists to, "See challenges as opportunities for growth. It is time to re-evaluate the old ways and embrace the future."
"Working together as one, dentistry can and will meet its local, state and national challenges with positive results for our patients and the overall oral health care of Wisconsin's residents and our nation," he said.
A graduate of the National University of San Marcos in Lima, Peru, Rodriguez is a past-president of the Green County Dental Society.
Rodriguez joined WDA leadership in 2005 as a Southwest Region trustee. He has represented the WDA in the American Dental Association House of Delegates as an alternate or delegate since 2005. He has also served on the WDA Insurance and Services Corp. advisory board.
He is a member of the Rock County and Chicago dental societies and the Hispanic Dental Association. Other groups benefiting from his volunteer spirit are Green County Health Department advisory board, Fowler Memorial Free Dental Clinic, Green County Seal A Smile, Give Kids A Smile® and WDA Mission of Mercy.
A fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, American College of Dentists and International College of Dentists, Rodriguez was named ICD-USA Section Distinguished Deputy of the Year for 2013. He is a past recipient of the Lions Club International Foundation’s Melvin Jones Fellowship for humanitarian service.
