Mallonee honored for her service
Professor Lisa Mallonee, associate dean for faculty affairs at Texas A&M College of Dentistry in Dallas, was honored recently with a Chair of the ADEA Board of Directors Citation for her service to the American Dental Education Association. Mallonee, dually registered as a dental hygienist and a dietitian, was one of 10 members recognized at the annual meeting in National Harbor, Maryland.
Mallonee earned recognition for her dedicated efforts overseeing the selection of programs, posters, and TechExpo topics with the 2024-2025 ADEA chair of the board, ADEA staff members and ADEA annual session planning committee (ADEA ASPC) members. She was instrumental in her oversight, serving alongside the ADEA chair of the board to guide planning of the symposia sessions.
It was a two-year obligation serving as chair-elect and chair.
“It was a significant service commitment that required an extensive amount of time, but it was an exceptional leadership opportunity,” she said. “I got to meet so many wonderful people who served on my committee. Their selfless contribution of service was inspiring. The hard work shared among colleagues from other institutions was well compensated by the lasting friendships developed.”
The award is presented each year to leaders who demonstrate exceptional service to the association and the dental education community. ADEA, a nonprofit organization, represents those in academic dentistry in both the United States and Canada.
Mallonee helped oversee and prepare three symposia sessions to support the selected theme for the 2025 Annual Session & Exhibition: “Be Inspired, Empower Tomorrow. Symposia topics included: The Courage to Inspire and Empower; Envision Tomorrow, Empower Tomorrow, Transform Tomorrow; and Women in Dental Education: Maximizing the Power of Your Voice.
“I met Dr. Susan Kass, the 2025 ADEA Chair of the Board, as an early career faculty member while presenting poster research at the 2004 ADEA Annual Session,” Mallonee said. “Fast forward 21 years, it was an honor to be asked to serve alongside Dr. Kass as planning chair-elect and chair for this year’s session. The ADEA ASPC members were always willing to step up and contribute however needed.”
Mallonee said the experience emphasized the value of connecting with other colleagues in dental education.
“Networking, relationship building, and mentorship across institutions are vital resources for professional growth and opportunities in academia,” she said.
A sought-after speaker, Mallonee has 25 years of experience in academia and is a well-known figure in the dental hygiene community. She co-authored the 13th and 14th editions of “Wilkins’ Clinical Practice of the Dental Hygienist” in 2021 and 2023, and the 15th edition is targeted for publication in 2027. The book, first published in 1959 by Dr. Esther Wilkins (1916-2016), is considered the bible of dental hygiene.
Additionally, Mallonee is lead author of “The Dental Hygienist’s Guide to Nutritional Care,” which was published in its sixth edition October 2024.