The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) has named Karin Wittich, CAE, its executive director. Wittich has served as AAOMS associate executive director of practice management and governmental affairs since 2004.
The AAOMS Executive Director Search Committee unanimously approved her appointment in March after interviewing five high-profile healthcare executive candidates. Wittich also will serve as executive director of the OMS Foundation.
Wittich replaces Scott Farrell, MBA, CPA, who is retiring after five years as executive director. Previously, he was AAOMS chief financial officer and associate executive director of business and operations for 18 years.
“With her impressive experience at AAOMS and past history working in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) offices, Karin brings extensive knowledge to the position of executive director,” said AAOMS president BD Tiner, DDS, MD.
“She maintains productive, collaborative relationships with allied organizations, dental specialty organizations, and other key strategic partners and has been heavily involved in our advocacy efforts, helping ensure issues important to the specialty are discussed and signed into law,” Tiner continued. “We look forward to her accomplishments as AAOMS executive director.”
Wittich joined AAOMS as manager of the practice management department in 1999. Her team’s projects have included implementation of online learning and webinars.
She also led the development of the OMS Quality Outcomes Registry to collect data from OMS practices, the Dental Anesthesia Assistant National Certification Examination program, and efforts to increase the number of practice management and coding educational offerings.
Also, Wittich has managed all state and federal government affairs activities, including Day on the Hill, and has served as secretary to OMSPAC. Involved with the OMS specialty for more than 30 years, she received an AAOMS honorary fellowship in 2017.
Previously, Wittich was a practice administrator at two OMS offices in the suburbs of Chicago, where she was responsible for all operational and accounting activities. She became a Certified Association Executive in 2013.
“I am proud to begin the next chapter of my professional career serving as the executive director of AAOMS and, alongside my colleagues and the members we serve, will continue to advance the mission of the organization, Wittich said. “I am grateful to my mentors and friends who have inspired and supported me over the last 30-plus years.”
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