Tag Archives: Arcolian Dental Arts Society

The Arcolian Dental Arts Society and the Dental Arts Club will host a Lilac Mass and brunch on May 5. A 9 a.m. Mass at St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Chicago will be followed by a brunch at Cucina Biagio in Harwood Heights. The Mass, convened for decades by the Loyola University School of Dentistry to gather students and graduates in prayer, was name for the lilac color of the school’s graduation robes. The tradition was revived last year by the Arcolians, a group of Italian-American dentists, and the DAC, a group of dentists of Polish and Eastern European descent. …

While growing up, pediatric dentist Dr. Jessica Mattern watched her father, a general dentist, open several dental practices and enjoy the autonomy and flexibility of running his own businesses. She initially was set on a career working with children with special needs, but eventually veered toward her father’s profession after going with him on dental medical missions to Mexico through Latin World Ministries. “There were doctors, surgeons, dentists, and the people who were the most enthusiastic were the dentists — they loved every aspect of what they did,” she recalls. Mattern was installed as president of the Chicago-based Arcolian Dental …

The Arcolian Dental Arts Society will install Dr. Jessica Mattern as president on April 23 at Toscana Restaurant, 1859 W. Central Road, Arlington Heights. Cocktails will be served at 6:30 p.m. with the dinner and presentation starting at 7:30 p.m. Mattern is a board-certified pediatric dentist with more than 15 years of experience serving children and individuals with special needs. Her fellow officers for 2024-25 will be Dr. Lauren Allegretti, president-elect; Dr. Charles Martello, vice president; Dr. Megan Ratliff, treasurer; Dr. Robin Gallardi, secretary; and Dr. Dominique Bertucci, dinner chair. Mattern will be accepting the gavel from outgoing president Dr. …

The Arcolian Dental Arts Society honored Joseph F. Hagenbruch, D.M.D., as Arcolian of the Year at its Christmas party on Dec. 12 at Elmcrest Banquets in Elmwood Park. The following profile was provided by the organization. Joseph F. Hagenbruch, D.M.D., a graduate of Washington University School of Dental Medicine in Saint Louis, Missouri, is a private practice general dentist in Harvard, Illinois.  Dr. Hagenbruch is a former American Dental Association Eighth District Trustee.  He is a former president of the Illinois State Dental Society (I.S.D.S.). He is a former president of the Illinois Academy of General Dentistry (I.A.G.D.) and of …

Dr. Mary Harris has risen through the ranks to the presidency of the Arcolian Dental Arts Society, becoming the youngest female president in the organization’s 88-year history. Joining her as officers are President-Elect Dr. Jessica Mattern, Vice President Dr. Lauren Allegretti, Treasurer Dr. Charles Martello and Secretary Dr. Megan Ratliff. The niece of past Arcolian President Dr. Michael Biasiello, Harris joined the organization right after going into practice six years ago. “I originally started coming to the meetings at the suggestion of my uncle. I quickly learned that the Arcolians are an amazing group of talented dentists that are passionate …

The Arcolian Dental Arts Society honored Joseph F. Hagenbruch, D.M.D., as Arcolian of the Year at its Christmas party on Dec. 13 at Cafe la Cave in Des Plaines. The following profile was provided by the organization. Joseph F. Hagenbruch, D.M.D., a graduate of Washington University School of Dental Medicine in Saint Louis, Missouri, is a private practice general dentist in Harvard, Illinois.  Dr. Hagenbruch is a former American Dental Association Eighth District Trustee.  He is a former president of the Illinois State Dental Society (I.S.D.S.). He is a former president of the Illinois Academy of General Dentistry (I.A.G.D.) and …

Dr. Paul E. DiFranco has risen through the ranks to the presidency of the Arcolian Dental Arts Society. Joining him as officers are President-elect Dr. Mary Teresa Lima, Vice President Dr. Jessica Mattern, Treasurer Dr. Lauren Allegretti and Secretary Dr. Charles Martello. A member for eight years, DiFranco joined the Arcolians because he saw how much the organization meant to his father, the late Dr. Charles F. DiFranco, a past president and recipient of the Arcolian of the Year Award. “After I started to attend the meetings regularly, I could see why he loved it so much,” DiFranco says. “It’s …

The Arcolian Dental Arts Society honored Dr. Jeffrey Wittmus as Arcolian of the Year at its Christmas gala on Dec. 14 at Cafe La Cave in Des Plaines. Wittmus is the grandson of John Joseph Siravo, whose parents immigrated from Italy’s Abruzzi region. His grandfather’s name was changed to Wittmus when he and his eight siblings were placed in separate foster homes after his mother died giving birth to him and his father died working on the New York subway in 1915. Wittmus was born in Chicago to John Wayne and Judy (Simonian) Wittmus. He graduated with honors from Maine East …

I’m ceaselessly amazed by the ingenuity and tenacity we show in the face of adversity. A half year ago, the coronavirus had us against the ropes, sending us scurrying for shelter and forcing us to cancel every blessed event we were so blithely planning. Yet here we are today, with COVID-19 still bearing down on us, back in the middle of the ring bobbing and weaving as we find ways to celebrate community and culture while keeping the pandemic at bay. For the past 16 years, a cavalcade of authors and scores of enthusiasts have gathered in the Florentine Room …

The Arcolian Dental Arts Society honored Anthony M. Spina, D.D.S., M.D., as Arcolian of the Year at the society’s annual Christmas Party on Dec. 11 at the Park Ridge Country Club. (Dr. Jessica Mattern, 847-498-1595) “Dr. Spina exemplifies our mission,” says Arcolian President Dr. Katina Spadoni. “He perpetuates fellowship between dentists, specialists, retirees and students; he has provided us with extraordinary speakers to help us earn continuing education units; and he opens us up to networking opportunities by bridging the gap between medical and dental.” Spina earned a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University, his dental degree from Loyola University School …