Sharon Holmes of the Dental Arts Studios in London has won the BDPMA & 3M ESPE Practice Manager Award 2007.
The announcement was made at the Association’s Annual Conference and Gala Awards at Walton Hall in Warwickshire last month.
The prestigious award, now in its fifth year, recognises the range of strategic skills and vision displayed by practice managers up and down the country. Sharon was praised for her drive, determination and motivation, as well as her capacity to engage effectively with both staff and patients.
BDPMA chairman Bridget Crump said before presenting the award: ‘Winning the BDPMA and 3M ESPE Practice Manager Award must be one of the greatest moments in the career of any practice manager. Whilst there are other industry awards, none are as demanding in their standards, as rigorous in their assessment, or as prestigious to accept.
‘The entries were amazing. More than ever before principals are acknowledging the contribution their manager makes and recognising the range of skills they possess.’
She added: ‘The Dental Arts Studio is an innovative group of six practices, which, thanks to the passion of their regional manager Sharon Holmes, is well on the way to emerging as a mini-corporate in the form of the Whitecross Group.
‘The rapid expansion that ensued has meant that Sharon’s role has been difficult. Undefined and constantly evolving, her capacity to rise to the challenges and deal with them expertly justifies her position here this evening.
‘She has built an extraordinary infrastructure of daily and weekly reports that keep her abreast of key indicators within each of the practices – everything from dentist working hours, financials, and failed-to-attends, to staff and patient complaints.
‘Her command of the situation in each of the practices in the group is very impressive and in spite of the awesome workload that running the group must entail, she finds time to meet and greet the patients that she knows best in the London Bridge practice, and to develop a strong vision for the future which we have no doubt she will realise.
‘She analyses, designs, implements, and leads. Goal-oriented and singularly focused, she is a credit to her team and an inspiration to our industry.’
Sharon, who was quick to praise her colleagues Drs Yogesh Solanki and Sunit Malhan, added: ‘I never set out to win a competition, this is my job and I love every minute of it! Receiving the award has made me realise that no matter what the size of the challenge is, if you have enough passion you will overcome anything you set your mind to.’
