Ann Battrell Obituary, Death – The American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) shares its deepest condolences with the Battrell family as they announce the passing of CEO Ann Battrell, MSDH on June 7, 2023. Ann worked relentlessly in her role as a leader to increase access to care, eradicate disparities, develop the dental hygiene profession, and evolve the scope of practice. She also pushed to empower dental hygienists. We will always remember Ann as a forward-thinking pioneer who was a staunch advocate for our industry.
Her presence will be sorely missed, and the ADHA will continue to use her legacy as a guiding force into the next century of inquiry, discovery, and invention since her spirit will always be an essential component of the organization’s founding principles. During my brief tenure as Director of District X, Ann impressed upon me the importance of this point more than anything else. “We are capable of doing difficult things.” I will be eternally grateful for the one-on-one calls in which she was able to impart her knowledge and in which I had the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of her compassion and love for our Association.
She instilled in me the value of friendship above all else, regardless of the situation. Even if we won’t always see eye to eye, when push comes to shove, friends are always there for one other. My thoughts and prayers are with Ann’s family, friends, and the ADHA team who worked tirelessly on our behalf each and every day. Ann was a powerful woman; she was strong, courageous, and inspirational, and she was driven by a vision and passion for the future.
As a Past President of ADHA, I will be eternally thankful to have led with her, laughed with her, and formed an unbreakable friendship with her, and the profession of dental hygiene will forever enjoy the advantages of her unrelenting commitment. Fly high, my good friend; I’ll be keeping an eye out for your presence in the “universe moments”