Ann K. Johnson Community Health Spirit Award Recipient, Colleen M. Brickle, Awarded

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (September 23, 2014) – Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation is proud to announce a leadership award to Colleen M. Brickle RDH, RF, EdD in special recognition of her contributions to improving health in Minnesota. This inaugural award is being made in honor of Ann K. Johnson, former Executive Director of Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, and Community Affairs Director of Delta Dental of Minnesota.

Having received many incredible nominees that embodied Johnson’s vision and spirit, the Review Committee selected Colleen Brickle for the $2,500 award and to celebrate her inspirational leadership, outstanding sense of collaboration and personal initiative. These traits are highlighted by Brickle’s calm and skillful relationship building, and encouragement that has led to significant advancements in the field of oral health, and overall health.

Brickle is a two-time graduate of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, she completed a GDH degree in 1976 and a Masters of Education in curriculum and instructional design in 1988. She also earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Iowa and a doctorate in healthcare education from Nova Southeastern University.

For nearly 22 years, her primary role has been as a dental hygiene educator at Normandale Community College where she led the effort to develop and implement career ladder programs for dental hygienists. In 2008, she was named Dean of Health Sciences at Normandale Community College.

Among many other achievements, Brickle was instrumental in planning and implementing a community clinic housed in Normandale’s dental hygiene clinic and serves public program and uninsured patients on a sliding scale basis.

“We are very proud to award Colleen the Ann K. Johnson Health Spirit Award, as she truly carries on the vision and mission to improve the oral health of our community and has diligently proven her dedication to this mission. We are honored to be able to celebrate Ann Johnson’s life by helping further the great passion and dedication that Ann fostered for the oral health of Minnesotans,” said Rodney Young, Chief Executive Officer, Delta Dental of Minnesota and Chair, Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation.

About the Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation:

Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation supports Delta Dental of Minnesota's mission of improving the oral health of the people in Minnesota. The Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation supports initiatives that promote access to oral health for the underserved, especially in rural areas and for people living with low incomes across the state. To learn more about the Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, go to DeltaDentalMN.org/about-us/commitment-to-the-community/.

About Delta Dental of Minnesota:

Delta Dental of Minnesota is an independent, tax-exempt, nonprofit health services company that serves the oral health needs of Minnesota and North Dakota residents. Since 1969, Delta Dental of Minnesota has accomplished this mission by providing the best access across the state to oral health care through affordable dental plans. Delta Dental is an authorized licensee of the Delta Dental Plans Association of Oak Brook, Illinois. To learn more, go to www.deltadentalmn.org.