President’s Message

When the Foundation Trustees approved its new strategic plan, we added “engagement” to its mission. According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, definitions of engagement include to induce participation and to bring together. If you attended AAE23 in Chicago a few weeks ago, engagement was on center stage at the McCormick Center.  

The Foundation booth positioned at the entrance of the exhibit hall was buzzing with activity at AAE23. Thank you to our Foundation volunteers and staff who manned the booth with lots of energy! We enjoyed interacting with everyone who stopped by the booth to say hello; ask a question; give feedback; inquire about a grant; or give a donation. Our booth felt like the hub of reconnecting with old friends but also making new ones! Thanks to Karen Rettig, Foundation team member, for capturing the energy with her camera, always catching our good side, and posting to socials! 

At AAE23, the Foundation reception with the 60s vibe was the place to be! The room was filled with 60s dress, motifs, lighting, music, and drinks. Thank you to all who attended this special reception. While it may have been a rather noisy scene, the room was bursting with conversation, energy, and camaraderie. In that special moment in Chicago, clinicians, residents, educators, friends, family, and our corporate community came together with the mission to support the Foundation and elevate the specialty of endodontics. Thank you to all who gave of their time, talent, and treasures this year. Your support assisted in advancing the mission of the Foundation, and you make a difference in our specialty. As our Manhattens and Bikini Martinis were mixed on that Wednesday evening, our endodontic community was engaging! Thanks to Gary Rejebian, Foundation team member, for providing that 60s vibe. 

Could AAE23 be the best annual session to date? Possibly! For the Foundation, it checked many impactful boxes. AAE23 was hosted in the city in which the Foundation was founded, and it was one of the most attended meetings in our history. AAE23 had the Foundation booth located on prime real estate, engaging all who entered the exhibit hall. AAE23 engaged our stakeholders at a 60s themed reception. AAE23 exceeded the Foundation’s fundraising goal. AAE23 celebrated two new educator development grants, Dr. Scott McClanahan scholarship and the Alliance Scholarship. AAE23 celebrated Dr. Frederico Martinho, the Foundation’s newest Endodontic Educator Fellowship Award recipient. AAE23 was awesome, and we are so excited to see what we can do with our newly engaged members of our endodontic community!