Neighbors in the News: Area pediatric dentist installed as dental society treasurer
• A pediatric dentist with more than 25 years of experience, Dr. Victoria A. Ursitti, has been installed as the 2023 treasurer of the Chicago Dental Society (CDS).
Ursitti, who practices in Arlington Heights, has previously held multiple leadership positions with CDS, including director and president of the Northwest Suburban Branch and president and treasurer of the Independent Dental Organization.
As treasurer, Dr. Ursitti will oversee CDS finances and help with preparations for the 158th Midwinter Meeting, which will be held at McCormick Place West, Chicago, in February.
Dr. Ursitti holds a bachelor's degree in nutrition/clinical biology from Cornell University and earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, along with a certificate in pediatric dentistry from University of Illinois at Chicago. She lives in Barrington Hills.
Established in 1864, CDS is the largest local component of the American Dental Association, with more than 4,000 members in Cook, Lake and DuPage counties.
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Attorney MaryAllison Mahacek has joined Schaumburg-based Lavelle Law. Mahacek, who will begin work in the litigation practice group, will also dedicate time to matters of employment law.
A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Mahacek then graduated cum laude from the University of Illinois College of Law. While in law school, she was a Harno Scholar, received a CALI Award for negotiation skills and strategies, received a Pro Bono certificate and served as notes editor for the Elder Law Journal.
As an undergrad, she was honored with an Outstanding Instructor Award from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
"MaryAllison will be a great addition to the firm overall and the litigation team in particular," said Managing Partner Ted McGinn. "We have an outstanding reputation for handling complex cases, and someone with MaryAllison's skill set will allow us to continue providing exceptional service to our clients."
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Rosemont-based Lee & Associates of Illinois has welcomed Michael DiFranco to its industrial team.
DiFranco is a recent graduate of DePaul University with a bachelor's degree in business real estate.
He will serve as an associate broker, specializing in industrial real estate, focusing primarily on the North Kane and North DuPage submarkets. His role includes leasing, acquisition and disposition of industrial properties.
DiFranco looks forward to developing ongoing, long-term relationships and bringing great value to current and new clients.
In his free time, he enjoys playing golf and spending time with friends and family.
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Capt. Patrick McGroarty, the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford's dental officer, the oldest sailor onboard, and Culinary Specialist Seaman Recruit Jacqueline Bernal-Ortiz of Waukegan, the ship's youngest sailor, assigned to Ford's supply department, participated in a cake-cutting ceremony celebrating the U.S. Navy's 247th birthday on Oct. 13.
The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is deployed in the Atlantic Ocean, conducting training and operations alongside NATO Allies and partners to enhance integration for future operations and to demonstrate the U.S. Navy's commitment to a peaceful, stable and conflict-free Atlantic region.
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