CAO Distinguished Service Award, 2004 Honoree: Dr. Harold Bergh

This purpose of this award is to acknowledge those volunteers who truly go beyond the call of duty.

Past recipients included: Drs: William Parker '93; Richard Simms, '94; Harry Hataska, '95; John Rathbone, '96; Donald Poulton, '97; Eugene West '98; Charles Wear, '99; Thomas Thompson' 2000; Robert French, '01; Arthur Dugoni, 02; Gregory Johnson, '03.

This year, we are very proud to honor a most deserving CAO leader, Dr. Harold C. Bergh.

In addition to taking on the various officer positions leading up to his CAO Presidency in 2002, Harold Bergh was first known by membership for his thought provoking editorials in the CAO newsletter, "California Orthodontist".

Not to take his editorials out of context, but he had quite a flair for titles. "Orthodontics is not a Commodity", "Before You Take Sides", and "Tobacco Sucks" were amongst his early titles.

Being as gifted with the pen as well as orthodontic pliers, Dr. Bergh was quickly tapped to become the Editor of CAO's newsletter in the mid 90's.

During his six year stint as Editor, he worked hard to bring forward some very highly debatable and sometimes sensitive topics for membership to consider including the State of State Funded Programs, the pros and cons of Insurance Companies, the Erosion of Private Practice by Corporate Entities, Managed Care/Direct Reimbursement; Strategic Planning, Health and Safety Issues, Sexual Harassment, Technology, Issues with Organized Dentistry and What Makes a Healthy Orthodontic Society.

More so than any other editor, he fearlessly brought concepts for the memberships consideration. And we're still talking about most of these topics. Dr. Bergh, Thank you for spearheading this debate.

CAO Executive Director, Phil Rollins comments, "Harold was always concerned with doing what was best for the CAO member. His preparation and follow-through were exceptional. The president and executive director established a close relationship and I thoroughly enjoyed working with Harold. He is a prince of a man".

In his local community of Ridgecrest, Dr. Bergh was very active on a personal and professional level. He spearheaded local continuing education for dentists creating a resource that would have otherwise required an hour and a half drive to the Kern County dental society in Bakersfield. He wrote an informative topic in the local newspaper on dental as well as other health topics.

On a personal level, he was active with the local Boy Scouts while his two sons were growing up and was very involved with the church with the most recent responsibility of being the Congregation President.

His son, Brian Bergh, also an orthodontist, stated that "he is truly a father who has set an admirable path for his children to follow." Career-wise, his children and their spouses are very involved with either health care or educational related professions--clearly following his example.

As his son clearly noted, Dr Bergh has clearly provided an admirable path for all of us to follow.

Although Dr. Bergh retired from active practice recently and moved to Texas, he still stays I touch, attends Regional Meetings now and then and is taking an active role with our Nominating Committee.

His commitment and concern for his community, organized orthodontics, education, and the power of the written word is a testimony for other volunteer leaders to aspire toward.

Please join me in applauding, this most deserving Distinguished Service Award Recipient, Dr. Harold Bergh.