Published April 23, 2014
University of Louisiana at Monroe alum Dr. Jeff Hooton of Monroe, was recently awarded
the 2014 Distinguished Service Award, during the 134th House of Delegates of the Louisiana
Dental Association (LDA), held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.
According to the LDA, the Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor bestowed
by the organization and is given annually to individual members who exemplify the
highest standards of professional conduct in dentistry and make extraordinary contributions
in organized dentistry and their community.
Hooton has been a member of the LDA, the American Dental Association (ADA) and the
Northeast Louisiana Dental Association (NELDA) for 30 years. He has been active at
both the national, state and local levels.
After serving in various leadership roles with NELDA, he was elected as 1992 president.
He also served on the Louisiana Dental Services board from 1994-2000, and on the LDA
Council on Government Affairs from 2000-2006.
Hooton has been a member of the LDA Board of Directors since 2006, and served as the
2012-2013 president of the LDA. He also served on the founding board of directors
for the Northeast Louisiana Virtual Clinic and was the NELDA Member of the Year in
1997.
Hooton served two tours in Vietnam and received the U.S. Army Republic of Vietnam
Gallantry Cross and the Valorous Unit Award. Hooton also founded the New Orleans Trinity
Episcopal Church Central America Dental Team, and has served on their medical mission
team since 1991.
Hooton graduated from ULM with a Bachelor of Arts in 1975 and a Bachelor of Science
in 1988.
About the LDA:
The Louisiana Dental Association (LDA) is the largest professional health organization
for dentists in Louisiana. It is a statewide grassroots organization whose purpose
is to promote, advocate, and protect the dental professional. The LDA has over 1,900
members. For more information, visit www.ladental.org
