Celebrating the Season: 10 Points of Professional Thanks

November is traditionally a time for giving thanks. Endodontics is a fortunate profession, and I hope it’s not overdone to use my President’s Message this month to recognize reasons to be grateful. Here are “10 things” I am thankful for in my professional life, in no particular order:

1. Our AAE member volunteers give of their time and talent on AAE committees, and they represent endodontists in other groups in organized dentistry. These members take time away from their practices and families to serve our association and the profession.
2. The AAE strategic plan is developed by our Board of Directors and guides all that we do as an association. The current strategic plan has four main goals, geared toward different stakeholders including the public, our members, and the dental profession. The four goals are:
   • The public will value saving their natural teeth and seek endodontists – the specialists in saving teeth – for their care.
   • The AAE will be recognized for providing an environment that is welcoming and supports the diversity of its members as leaders for the global advancement of endodontics.
   • Develop and maintain a body of knowledge to advance the specialty.
   • Advocate for quality endodontic care.
3. Our AAE staff are dedicated, competent, and creative professionals who execute all the activities of our association. Our staff work closely with our member volunteers to achieve the desired outcomes of our strategic goals. They truly make it all happen.
4. My UW family who I work with daily emphasize the value of service and allow me the opportunity to serve as AAE President. This family includes numerous endodontic faculty, staff, and affiliate faculty who take time away from their practices to teach our predoctoral and graduate students. These endodontists are educating the dentists and endodontists of the future while serving as examples of well-rounded professionals. In addition to my endodontic family, those I work with in Clinical Affairs and Regional Initiatives in Dental Education at UW also support me and complement my academic endeavors.
5. Mentors help us along our journey and push us to achieve our personal and professional goals. They help shape our careers and our lives. Your mentors may be associated with your clinical education, research training, or business development. They may be peer mentors. Though there are too many to name them all, significant mentors in my life include Jim Johnson for academics, Michael Gold for research, and Shahrzad Sarram for endodontic practice.
6. Fellow endodontists each bring their unique expertise to the endodontic community – educators who prepare the dentists and specialists of the future, researchers who advance the field, and clinicians whose technical skill and artistry help patients on even the most complex cases. My fellow endodontists earn our reputation as leaders in dentistry.
7. Technology makes our work easier and our treatment more predictable. Just imagine practicing today without microscopes or CBCT.
8. Patients really are our reason for being endodontists. The satisfaction of helping a patient in pain is magnified when the patient conveys appreciation for the treatment we provide. That appreciation is reciprocated.
9. My health allows me to work, travel, and serve as AAE President. I do not take this for granted.
10. My family, above all, supports me in my professional endeavors and in all that I do. For this, I am thankful every day.

This November, I invite you to reflect on the things you are thankful for. I hope that the endodontic profession is included among those.