CHICAGO — The American Association of Endodontists awarded its highest honors during ceremonies as part of its 2008 Annual Session, held April 9 – 12, 2008, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The awards were presented by Immediate Past President Dr. Shepard S. Goldstein and Dr. A. Eddy Skidmore, chair of the AAE Honors and Awards Committee.
“This year’s recipients epitomize the ideals we hold not only for the Association, but for ourselves,” said Dr. Skidmore. “Their selfless contributions to the specialty and their colleagues are an example from which we can all be proud.”
The AAE’s highest honor, the Edgar D. Coolidge Award, is given to an individual who has displayed exemplary dedication to dentistry and to endodontics, and who has been active in the AAE throughout his professional lifetime. This year’s recipient, Seymour Oliet, D.D.S., of Pompano Beach, Fla., has been an active participant in organized dentistry for over 50 years, serving both as a leader within the Association, and mentor for a generation of endodontists as an educator and researcher.
Highlights of Dr. Oliet’s national and local leadership includes president of the American Board of Endodontics (1979-1980); founder of the Pennsylvania Academy of Endodontics; charter member of the Louis I. Grossman Study Club; and president of the Eastern Dental Society and the American College of Dentists–Philadelphia Section. His leadership extended into the academic world, where after serving 41 years in a variety of teaching and administrative positions at the University of Pennsylvania Dental School, Dr. Oliet led the creation of the Nova Southeastern University School of Dental Medicine, of which he continues to serve as dean emeritus and professor of endodontics.
In addition, Dr. Oliet’s clinical research led to groundbreaking papers on gutta-percha characteristics and the endodontic-periodontal relationships. He co-authored the 11th edition of one of the specialty’s leading textbooks, Endodontic Practice, as well as more than 25 research articles.
The Louis I. Grossman Award recognizes an author for cumulative publication of significant research studies that have made an extraordinary contribution to endodontics. This year’s recipient was Shimon Freidman, D.M.D., of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr. Friedman’s groundbreaking outcome studies using evidence-based endodontics are considered the standard on which numerous textbooks and research articles worldwide have been based.
In addition to publishing nearly 200 research articles, textbook chapters and abstracts, Dr. Friedman is an in-demand lecturer, earning him a reputation as one of the leading endodontic speakers worldwide. He maintains a private practice in Toronto, and heads the department of endodontics, serves as a professor of dentistry and director of the advanced specialty program in endodontics at the University of Toronto.
The I.B. Bender Lifetime Educator Award is given to acknowledge an AAE member who has demonstrated their status as an outstanding full-time educator and mentor for at least 15 years by earning the esteem and respect of colleagues and students, exemplified by the quality of former students and their impact on endodontics, and by earning a national reputation as an outstanding contributor to the art and science of endodontics as evidenced by invited presentations, the extent of scholarly research and continuing education involvement. This year’s recipient was Arne Bjorndal, D.D.S., M.S., of Iowa City, Iowa.
Dr. Bjorndal is a professor and chair emeritus at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry where he has taught for more than 50 years in various endodontic teaching capacities. He has been a valued mentor to his students and colleagues throughout his career. As a result of his influence, the University of Iowa department of endodontics has developed a long line of educators, researchers, clinicians and leaders that are recognized throughout the world. His former students reflect the excellence that is characteristic of his teaching and inspirational mentoring.
The recipient of the Edward M. Osetek Educator Award is an individual who has taught for less than six years, but within that time, have earned the esteem and respect of students and faculty associates, received invitations to present endodontic lectures, seminars and workshops at other educational or research institutions, and must have had an impact on former students by the quality of their impact on endodontics. This year’s recipient was Anne Williamson, D.D.S., M.S., of Iowa City, Iowa.
Dr. Williamson began her teaching career at the University of Iowa in 2003, and is one of the first recipients of the AAE Foundation Endodontic Educator Fellowship Award. Her dedication to endodontic education is showcased by a variety of additional responsibilities—director of the advanced specialty program in endodontics; course director for four literature reviews; an active participant in case review and surgery conferences; involvement in student mentorship programs; and supervisor of patient care at the University of Iowa dental clinic among many other appointments and volunteer positions.
Dr. Williamson has been a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics since 2006, served as chair of Endodontics Section for the American Dental Education Association in 2005-2006, and currently is the chair of the AAE Educational Affairs Committee.
The AAE’s Spirit of Service Awards are bestowed upon two endodontists in recognition for their overall service to the dental community. The recipients are chosen on the basis of time and expertise devoted to creating effective partnerships, positively affecting dental organizations or helping undeserved populations for the benefit of the endodontic specialty.
This year’s honoree of the New Practitioner Dental Community Spirit of Service Award was Judy D. McIntyre, D.M.D., M.S., of Hoover, Ala. Dr. McIntyre was one of the first dental students to join the AAE when the Association created its Predoctoral Student membership category in 2002. Since that time, she has been an active founder and participant in several endodontic volunteer opportunities. She was a co-founder and president of the Harvard-Forsyth Hispanic Dental Association Service and currently serves as chair of the AAE Resident and New Practitioner Committee.
William D. Powell, D.D.S., M.S., of Knoxville, Tenn., was the recipient of the Lifetime Dental Community Volunteer Spirit of Service Award. Throughout his career, Dr. Powell has been actively involved in organized dentistry on a state and national level. He has served on the AAE and AAE Foundation Boards, as an American Dental Association trustee, and also as a member of numerous AAE committees. His legacy lies in the dental benefits arena, where he is known for common sense solutions to third-party issues. In 2008, he was honored by his alma mater, the University of Tennessee Dental School, with its Outstanding Alumnus Award.
# # #
The American Association of Endodontists, headquartered in Chicago, represents more than 7,000 members worldwide, including approximately 95 percent of all eligible endodontists in the United States. The Association, founded in 1943, is dedicated to excellence in the art and science of endodontics and to the highest standard of patient care. The Association inspires its members to pursue professional advancement and personal fulfillment through education, research, advocacy, leadership, communication and service.