Dr Carol Gomez Summerhays, a San Diego-based general dentist, is President elect of the American Dental Association. Dr Summerhays graduated from the University of San Francisco with a B.S. in Biology and earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in 1978. She attended dental school on a full scholarship through the Armed Forces Health Professions program. Dr Summerhays served four years on active duty in the Navy Dental Corps and 11 years of inactive duty rising to the rank of Lieutenant. She started full time private practice in 1982. Some of her past positions include past president of the California Dental Association, Board member of The Dentists Insurance Company as well as the CDA Foundation. She has held positions with the Academy of General Dentistry and was a Board member for 10 years at the Pankey Institute. Dr Summerhays served as the Thirteenth District Trustee of the American Dental Association. ADA committee appointments include Compensation, Governance, Pension, and the FDI delegation. ADA Trustee liaison appointments include the New Dentist Committee and the Council on Government Affairs, and the Council on Members Insurance and Retirement. Dr. Summerhays served as an at-large member of the Strategic Planning Committee for 4 years with an additional 2 years as Trustee, and as a national advisor to the ADA Institute for Diversity. She is a Fellow of the American College of Dentistry, the International College of Dentistry, the Academy of Dentistry International, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Additionally, she earned a Master in the Academy of General Dentistry and the AGD LLSR Lifelong learning and Service Recognition Award. In San Diego, Dr Summerhays was honored in 2010 by the Salvation Army as one of the “Women of Dedication—Portraits in Philanthropy” and by the Girl Scouts as one of “San Diego’s 10 Cool Women.” She and her husband of 31 years, Soames, have two sons, Giles and Bryce.