CHICAGO, November 5, 2021 – The American Dental Association (ADA), the nation's largest dental association, representing 162,000 dentist members, has been named a Top Workplace for 2021 in the midsize company category by the Chicago Tribune. This year marks the ADA’s second time receiving this honor – a testament to the organization’s dedication to employee engagement, connection and inclusivity in the midst of a global pandemic and beyond.
The recognition for the ADA was cited in the Chicago Tribune’s 12th annual Top Workplaces special report of Chicago companies with more than 100 employees. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by Chicago Tribune’s research partner Energage, LLC, an Exton, Pennsylvania-based workplace survey and improvement specialist. Employees responded to the survey with their level of agreement to statements related to leadership, execution, connection and more. The ADA has participated in the survey every other year since 2015.
“It should come as no surprise to the dentists and the public that the ADA has once again been named as a top workplace by the Chicago Tribune,” said Cesar R. Sabates, D.D.S, ADA president. “The past 19 months have been uniquely challenging, but the talented employees of the ADA stepped up and have gone above and beyond to help members dentists succeed. It’s a well-deserved honor.”
During a time of extreme health, economic and logistical challenges, the ADA’s volunteer dentist leadership and more than 400 employees rose to the challenge to drive dentistry forward by providing resources and information to the ADA’s 162,000 member dentists and the public. Through an employee-focused environment and the creation of enterprise-wide teams and an Agile project management approach, ADA staff worked together using data, fresh perspectives, expertise and creativity to challenge the status quo and bolster the ADA’s position as a trusted driver of information to members, the dental community and the public.
“As I conclude my 12 years as executive director, I am so proud of my colleagues for making the ADA one of the best places to work in Chicago,” said Kathleen O’Loughlin, D.M.D., M.P.H., outgoing ADA executive director. “The team is vital to the ADA’s mission and vision, and the entire profession benefits greatly from the teamwork, innovation and problem-solving that happens on a daily basis at the ADA.”
“Under Dr. O’Loughlin’s stewardship, the ADA is being recognized as a top workplace,” said Raymond A. Cohlmia, D.D.S., incoming ADA executive director. “I’ve always known the Association’s professional team to do excellent work on behalf of the ADA’s members, and I look forward to working alongside them in continued advancement of the organization and the profession.”
Since 2010, the Chicago Tribune has used employee surveys to determine the top small, midsize and large workplaces in the Chicago area. More than 350 companies participated in 2021, according to the Tribune. The ADA as a company, with locations besides Chicago including Washington, D.C., and Gaithersburg, Maryland, was awarded the honor, and all locations participated in the survey. The Tribune’s award is for results from the Chicago office.
For more information about the Chicago Tribune’s list of Top Workplaces in 2021, please visit https://topworkplaces.com/award/chicagotribune/.