Goodwill Ambassador

Hi all!
This is just going to be a short post, but I wanted to share some good news. On Friday, the board of trustees for the Iowa Dental Association unanimously voted to name me the official “Goodwill Ambassador” to the Iowa Dental Association and the Iowa Dental Foundation (the charitable organization run by the IDA that puts on events like the Iowa Mission of Mercy). I am so honored and excited to do what I can to promote the Iowa Dental Association throughout our state and to continue to support children’s dental health through my platform “Making Smiles Happen”.



Additionally, I am proud to announce that the Davidson family now has another doctor! My sister-in-law Beth passed her thesis defense on Friday. For the last four years, Beth has been researching the connection between cleft lip/palate and breast cancer. It was fascinating to hear about what she has been working on (although my non-scientific mind stopped processing information after about the first 15 minutes of the public discussion!). While she will not officially receive her PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology until she completes the MSTP program next May (meaning that she will receive both a PhD and an MD), I am not going to waste any time calling her Dr. Davidson. Congratulations, Beth!


With Beth and my brother Michael before the public discussion of Beth's research.

My information is up on the Miss Iowa website. Check me out! http://www.missiowa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=586:miss-pearl-city-2011&catid=89:local-winner-2011&Itemid=313

Finally, next Friday, I will be traveling home to West Des Moines to present my platform to two of my former elementary school classrooms. On Saturday, I will watch the crowning of a new Miss Greater Des Moines. Can’t wait to give you the details. Until then!

Elizabeth

Peru

Greetings! It has been a long time since I last posted an entry, but I decided to take a couple weeks to concentrate on school as I went through my midterm exams.

I am currently writing from Lima, Peru, where I am on vacation. When I was nine years old, my dad met Liset while on a missionary trip to Tumbes, Peru and she came to live with us on a student exchange. Eleven years later, we were finally able to come and visit her. It was such a joy to see her, her husband (Karlo), and her two young children (Caleb, 5, and Lucas, six months). Below is a picture of Liset, Caleb, Lucas, my mom, and me at dinner one night.



For a couple of days, my dad and I traveled to Cusco and Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, and for good reason. I’m not sure if I have ever seen something more amazing. The Incas began constructing this town around 1400 and it was the official site of the Inca rulers until the Spanish Conquest, but the ruins were not discovered until 1911. What I find so fascinating about Machu Picchu, and the other Inca ruins that we visited, is that no one knows how these buildings were constructed. The stones are all irregular shapes, but they fit together so well that not even a piece of paper can fit between the stones (or at least on what they considered to be important buildings). The fit is so perfect that they didn’t even need to use mortar. Below are just a couple of pictures that we took at Machu Picchu.




Overlooking Machu Picchu. Such an amazing site!

On our trip, we also traveled about 45 minutes south of Lima to Lurin, the town where Liset’s family lives. Liset told us that Lurin is home to many poor families, so my parents and I brought along three suitcases full of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and beanie babies that we handed out to the children we met (thank you Crest!). We personally met about 50 children and left the remainder of the gifts at Liset’s church. As we were getting ready to leave, one little boy named Abdias ran up to me as I left and gave me a huge hug and kiss. When the other kids saw this, they all ran over and gave hugs, too. Their joy and excitement was so touching. There is no better feeling than being able to help those in need. And, for me, this was even more special because I was able to combine my two causes – children’s dental health and cultural advocacy. I could never contain myself to one passion. I’ve included a couple of the photos that we took that day because, after all, a picture is worth a thousand words.


With some new friends. This neighborhood is one of the poorest areas of Lurin.


The kids looking through the goodies that we brought.


Showing two young boys how to use the toothbrush properly.


The kids holding up their new toothbrushes and toothpaste.


We were surprised with a welcome sign at Guayabo. Here I am pictured with my parents and all of the children and teachers that we met. This was one of two locations where we handed out gifts.


This has been a wonderful vacation and it’ll be sad to leave and go back to real life. But, I have many exciting appearances scheduled over the next couple of months and I can’t wait to let you know about them. Until then!

Elizabeth

Commonwealth Fund Report

Congratulations, Iowa! Iowa ranks at the top of the nation in health care for children, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund. “Early screening for childhood diseases, preventive services, and health care access for kids from lower-income families are just a few examples of how Iowa leads the nation,” notes Thomas Scholz, MD. “The Commonwealth Fund report cites Iowa’s policies and public-private partnerships as models for other states to follow”. One such program is the Iowa Mission of Mercy of which I had the honor to be a part of this past November. Through the introduction of this program over the past two years, more than 1,000 volunteers have worked to provide 1,500 people with a total of $950,000 in free dental care. That’s a lot of numbers and a lot of smiles! And, as you know, I love to make smiles happen. The date has just been announced for next year, so set your calendar for November 18-19 to join this wonderful program in Sioux City so you can make smiles happen as well.

Check out the website!
http://www.iowadental.org/events_calendar/iowa_mission_of_mercy.cfm


With some young patients at the Iowa Mission of Mercy last year.

Children's Dental Health Month Proclamation Signing

As of today, February in Iowa is Children’s Dental Health Month! This afternoon, I joined the leaders of the Iowa Dental Association in witnessing Governor Terry Branstad sign the Children’s Dental Health Month Proclamation. With my platform of children’s dental health, entitled “Making Smiles Happen”, it is very exciting to see our state legislature helping raise awareness towards this very important issue. Please see the pictures below.


With Governor Branstad before the Proclamation signing. It was such an honor to meet our new Governor!


With the other representatives of the Iowa Dental Association. The IDA represents 90% of the dentists in the state of Iowa. To my left is my dad, Dr. David Davidson, the President-Elect of the IDA and to my right is Bill Strohman, the President of the IDA.


I was also able to meet our Lieutenant Governor, Kim Reynolds. If Miss Iowa were an election, I'm confident I would have her vote!


Dean David Johnsen of the University of Iowa College of Dentistry joined me for a photograph. The University of Iowa has the only dental school in Iowa, but it is considered to be one of the top programs in the world.


On the Senate floor. Must say, it felt good to be here. Maybe I have a future in politics.


Spoke with Senator Merlin Bartz, a Republican who represents north-central Iowa. He has been a friend to the dental community.


Mike Heller, one of the lobbyists for the Iowa Dental Association, gave us a tour of the capitol and introduced us to some of the bigwigs of Iowa politics.


Visited the law library. I couldn't help but think of Beauty and the Beast!


I was able to have my photograph taken with every single Representative! Wink, wink...


The Davidson delegation! I'm pictured here with my brother, Dr. Michael Davidson, and dad, Dr. David Davidson.


I've been to 40 states, but Iowa has the most beautiful capitol building I've ever seen.


My ultimate goal is to be a lawyer, so my dad, brother, and I decided to round out our great day with a trip to the new Supreme Court building. In tribute to this festive occasion, we decided to sing our favorite Supremes songs. I choose "Baby Love". :)

In addition, on Thursday I began work at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry where I will be creating and managing the Facebook page for the Building Transformation of Tomorrow project. This $61,000,000 renovation and expansion will help the dental school remain one of the top schools in the world. Please "like" this page on Facebook by searching for "Dentistry Campaign". Until next time!

Elizabeth

TV Bingo

Today I volunteered at the Children’s Hospital in Iowa City as the guest presenter for their weekly TV Bingo. Patients could tune the televisions in their rooms to the hospital channel and play bingo without leaving their rooms. The Child Life Staff is amazing at making hospital stays as much fun as possible for children. Every day, there are special activities in the playroom, like crafts and games, and every evening there are parties and events, like pizza parties. TV Bingo is great in that even if a child doesn’t feel well enough to join the other patients in the playroom, or they are too immobile to travel, they can still have fun and be involved. On air, in addition to bingo, we also asked trivia questions about Miss America and the Superbowl. Patients could call in with answers and were put on speakerphone so everyone could hear their answers. All the patients seemed to really enjoy it and I had a great time being involved. I’ll be back next week for a special Valentine’s Day special and I can’t wait. What a great time!


Stacy, a Child Life intern from Ball State, was my co-host for TV Bingo. We had such a great time doing the show!

Take care!

Adding a Few Photos!

I realized that I never posted any photographs from Miss Pearl City. Enjoy!


During opening number. It's a little blurry, but you get the idea.


Answering my on-stage question.


Performing my talent selection on the harp.


Letting off some steam after the show with my best friend, Peige.


With my new Miss Pearl City's Outstanding Teen, Jessica. Can't wait to spent the year with her!


Miss Pearl City 2011 and Miss Pearl City 2010. Congratulations Jennifer on a wonderful year of service and best of luck with all of the exciting things that are happening for you this year.

Miss Johnson County

Hi all! It looks like I’m not doing too well with my goal of posting every week…but I’m ready to fix that and it starts today. Last weekend was a great weekend full of shopping with my executive directors Kindra and Ashley. We found some great clothes for competition, for Miss Iowa week, and just to have around for whenever I need to look cute. Shopping, admittedly, is one of my favorite hobbies, but it is amazing how tiring eight straight hours of shopping can be! After that day of shopping, I collapsed into bed at 9:00 and didn’t wake up again until 8:00 the next morning. A week later, now, I am completely recovered and have busy being Miss Pearl City.

Last Monday, I visited the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital for the first time. Due to a scheduling miscommunication, I was only able to stay for a short while, but I am now scheduled to volunteer every Monday through the end of the semester. Over the last two years, I have met so many brave children and parents and it is always such a joy to see the smiles on the children’s faces when I leave their room. I love to make smiles happen. There is no better feeling than knowing that you have brought a moment of happiness to the lives of a sick child.

On Saturday, I was able to attend Miss Johnson County in Tiffin, IA. Congratulations to Cass Claeys, the new Miss Johnson County 2011! Cass competed with me at Miss Pearl City and was such a joy to spend time with her. I can’t wait to get to know her better in June for Miss Iowa. It was also fun at Miss Johnson County to see several other Miss contestants, including some that I had yet to meet. The contestants in the Miss Iowa Scholarship Program truly are remarkable women and I am honored to be a part of this organization.


With my Princess, Stella. Isn't she a doll?


With Miss Eastern Iowa and Miss Clinton County.


With Miss Muscatine, Miss Eastern Iowa, and our wonderful Miss Iowa.

Next Friday, I have a very exciting opportunity, but I’m going to wait and tell you about it after it happens, so keep posted!

Best,
Elizabeth