CHICAGO, October 9, 2026 — The American Dental Association (ADA) will recognize Elizabeth “Betsy” Shapiro, D.D.S., J.D., as the recipient of the ADA Distinguished Service Award at ADA 2026 Scientific Session in Indianapolis, Ind., on Oct. 9 during the Changemakers Celebration. The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor given by the ADA Board of Trustees.
Serving the ADA for more than 15 years, Dr. Shapiro is currently the Chief of Governance and Strategy Management for the organization and previously served as the ADA’s Senior Director for the Center for Dental Practice Policy. In 2025, she also served as the ADA's interim Executive Director.
As interim Executive Director of the ADA in 2025, her first priority was to support organizational initiatives at a thoughtful, measured pace, while also seeking to build trust and transparency across the Tripartite. Alongside the Board of Trustees, she fostered ongoing dialogue about the realities facing the Association and encouraged collaborative listening sessions to help determine and initiate imperative actions related to technology stabilization and financial stewardship.
“Dr. Shapiro has dedicated her career to serving dentistry with vision, integrity, and purpose,” said Richard J. Rosato, D.M.D, ADA President for the 2025-2026 term. “She possesses a remarkable gift for building bridges, fostering trust, and creating momentum, even when the path forward is not immediately clear. There is no one more deserving of this year’s Distinguished Service Award, and I am certain Betsy’s positive impact on the ADA will be felt for years to come.”
Dr. Shapiro earned her dental degree from the University of Chicago College of Dentistry, after which she returned to follow in her late father’s footsteps at his previous practice in Amboy, Ill. to work alongside his partner. After dedicating her time to dental practice for 15 years, Dr. Shapiro attended Northern Illinois University’s College of Law where she earned her law degree.
Across her many roles at the ADA, Dr. Shapiro has had the opportunity to blend her dental and law experience to improve the profession and the landscape of oral health care. She has also served on several ADA and Illinois State Dental Association councils and committees and has previously lobbied on behalf of the state dental political action committee. She was named the 2011-2012 Hillenbrand Fellow at the ADA, which recognizes dentists who have demonstrated strong leadership potential and those who desire to make a career transition from dental practice into management and leadership in organized dentistry, a health-related organization, education, the dental industry or research.
“Years ago, when I was applying for the Hillenbrand Fellowship, I included a quote from Martin Luther King Jr. in my application, stating that, ‘faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase,” said Betsy Shapiro, ADA Chief of Governance and Strategy. “I never could have imagined that first step would lead me down the most rewarding path at the ADA. I am deeply humbled to receive this award and grateful for the journey thus far and opportunities that lie ahead.”
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