LIDHA Board Members

  Jean Hall, DHEd, RDH

President, Corresponding Secretary, Director to NYDHA
Jean graduated from Farmingdale State College with her associate and bachelor’s degrees in dental hygiene. She went on to receive a Master of Science in public health at Touro College and a Doctorate in Health Education from A.T. Still University, College of Graduate Health Studies. She was a student member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association while in the associate program and converted to professional membership upon graduation. Jean has held several positions on the LIDHA board including president and treasurer. On the state level, Jean served as Delegate to NYDHA, Delegate to ADHA, and is a past NYDHA president. Jean is passionate about moving dental hygiene forward and has participated in many Oral Health Advocacy days in Albany and Washington D.C.

  Dawn Joyce, MS, RDH

Membership
Dawn is a dedicated dental hygiene educator and clinician with over 16 years of experience in preventive oral health care. She serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Dental Hygiene at Farmingdale State College, where she teaches Principles of Nutrition and co-coordinates the sophomore clinic. Holding an Associate’s and Master’s degree in Dental Hygiene and a Bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies, Dawn brings a strong foundation in both clinical excellence and interdisciplinary education. Her academic interests center around the integration of nutrition and systemic health in dental care, with a focus on micronutrient deficiencies, gut health, and evidence-based supplementation strategies. Dawn is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in nutrition, and is actively engaged in curriculum development, teaching strategy research, and professional advocacy through organizations like the NYDHA and ADHA.

    Justine Rubi Coughlan, RDH Treasurer

Justine previously served as a member of the Technology Committee & LIDHA delegate for two years and is excited to continue contributing to the organization through leadership, service, and collaboration with fellow dental hygiene professionals.
 
Justine is passionate about the role dental hygienists play in prevention, patient education, and improving access to oral health care. In addition to her clinical work, she is pursuing a Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management at the CUNY School of Public Health and is a recipient of the Dr. Michael Apa Scholarship Fund in Oral Population Health. Her interests include oral-systemic health, health communication, and strengthening the connection between dental hygiene and public health.

 

   Rosalie Forrester-Sessa, EdD, RDH

Recording Secretary

Rosalie is an assistant professor in the dental hygiene department at Farmingdale State College, where she teaches Oral Histology & Embryology, Practice Management for Quality Assurance, Teaching Strategies for Health Care Educators, as well as various levels of clinical instruction. She graduated from Farmingdale State College with her associate and bachelor’s degrees in dental hygiene. She went on to receive a Master of Science in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology from The University at Albany and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from The University of New England. Rosalie has held various positions on the LIDHA board, including Editor and VP of Membership Services.

Zoe Diaz, BS, RDH

Editor 

Zoe graduated from Farmingdale State College with an Associate in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Biology from Hunter College. As a recent graduate, Zoe is committed to providing evidence-based, patient-centered care while continuing to grow professionally within the dental hygiene profession. 

 

2026 Delegates to NYDHA

  • Chelsea Borsack, RDH
  • Justine Rubi Coughlan, RDH
  • Rosalie Forrester-Sessa, EdD, RDH
  • Loretta Mariano, D.H.Sc., RDH