Congratulations to the 2018 AAE Award Recipients
The AAE proudly announces the 2018 recipients of the organization’s highest honors and awards, to be presented at AAE18. These five individuals represent the specialty’s greatest achievements in leadership, research, education and service to others, and the AAE is proud to recognize their commitment to endodontics.
This year’s award recipients will be recognized at the Edgar D. Coolidge Awards Brunch on April 28 in Denver as part of AAE18. For more information about the annual meeting and the awards ceremony, visit aae.org/aae18.
Edgar D. Coolidge Award
Given to an individual who has displayed leadership and exemplary dedication to dentistry and endodontics.
Gary R. Hartwell, D.D.S., M.S.
The AAE’s highest award will be presented to Gary R. Hartwell in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to endodontic education, research and organized dentistry.
Dr. Hartwell earned his D.D.S. from West Virginia University School of Dentistry in 1966. He graduated from the U.S. Army Dental Corps Endodontic Residency Program in 1973 and earned an M.S. in Special Studies (Oral Biology) the following year from George Washington University. In 1980, he completed the certification process and became a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. During his 20-year military career, he served as director of the endodontic residency programs at both Madigan Army Medical Center and Eisenhower Army Medical Center. He was the consultant in endodontics to the surgeon general of the U.S. Army from 1983 to 1987.
Upon retirement from active military service in 1987 at the rank of colonel, Hartwell became a full-time faculty member in the Department of Endodontics at the VCU School of Dentistry. In 1992, he was promoted to associate professor with tenure and appointed chair of the Department of Endodontics. He was promoted to the rank of full professor with tenure in 1999. In 1996, he assumed the position as director of the VCU Postgraduate Program in Endodontics. He then served in both positions until his retirement in 2003.
In 2003, Dr. Hartwell was appointed professor and chair of the Department of Endodontics at the New Jersey Dental School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers School of Dental Medicine). At the time of his appointment, he also became director of the UMDNJ Postgraduate Program in Endodontics. He held both of these positions until his retirement from UMDNJ in January 2013.
Dr. Hartwell served as president of the American Association of Endodontists and the American Board of Endodontics. He also has been involved with numerous AAE committees over his career. From 2013 to 2014, Dr. Hartwell served as interim executive director, dedicating much of his time and energy to the task of running the headquarters office and managing staff.
“Dr. Hartwell’s exemplary military service and background in dental education has provided him with experiences and opportunities to serve the profession at the highest levels. He has excelled at every position while maintaining the highest moral and ethical standards. He leads by example and has guided the AAE through several years of extensive change with sense of humor, calm and purpose.”
–William T. Johnson, D.D.S., M.S.
“He has excelled every position he has assumed, whether military, academic or in endodontic leadership. He doesn’t seek the spotlight, but others seek out his expertise and knowledge. His quiet, humble demeanor and his selfless, warm, yet no-nonsense approach have enabled him to accomplish what many of us only hope to achieve.” –Craig S. Hirschberg, D.D.S.
I.B. Bender Lifetime Educator Award
Presented to an individual who has been a full-time educator for at least 15 years, whose contributions to endodontics have demonstrated excellence through selfless commitment to full-time educational pursuits and have instilled in his/her students a desire to pursue excellence in their careers.
Shimon Friedman, D.M.D.
Dr. Shimon Friedman serves as professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry in Canada. He served for 20 years as the head of endodontics, and for 22 years as director of the MSc endodontics program.
Dr. Friedman received his D.M.D. degree and Certificate in Endodontics from the Hebrew University and Hadassah Faculty of Dental Medicine in Jerusalem in 1975 and 1983, respectively. He taught at Hebrew University for 16 years, spent one year as a visiting professor at Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia and has taught at the University of Toronto since 1992. In 1983, he was one of the first two endodontists to pass the specialty examination administered by the Scientific Council of the Israel Dental Association. He has served as a scientific council examiner (1983-1992) and chair of the Israel Endodontic Society (1985-1988).
Dr. Friedman has served on the editorial boards of the International Endodontic Journal; Oral Surgery, Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine, Oral Radiology and Endodontology; Endodontics and Dental Traumatology; Endodontic Topics; Practical Periodontics & Esthetic Dentistry; and Alpha Omegan.
Dr. Friedman has published more than 140 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, 11 textbook chapters and many research abstracts. He has presented more than 300 lectures worldwide. In recognition of his significant research and contributions to endodontology, Dr. Friedman received the 2008 AAE Louis I. Grossman Award. He also received the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry W.W. Wood Award for excellence in dental education in 2013, and the Award of Distinction from the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto in 2014. He maintains a private practice limited to endodontics in Toronto.
“Dr Friedman is an exceptional communicator, gifted and dedicated educator. He is a great role model for our students and instructors. He is a highly dedicated professional who knows how to motivate his students to strive for excellence.” –Bettina R. Basrani, D.D.S., M.S.D., Ph.D.
Edward M. Osetek Award
Presented to a full-time educator with less than 10 years of teaching experience, who has earned the esteem and respect of students and faculty associates.
Richard D. Archer D.D.S., M.S.
Dr. Richard D. Archer has worked extensively to prepare dental students for the licensure board examinations and mentoring residents in their graduate education, as well as clinical teaching of predoctoral and graduate dental students throughout his career.
Dr. Archer earned his D.D.S. degree from the University of Maryland Dental School in 1982. He was sponsored by the United States Navy for specialty training and graduated from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1990 with a Certificate in Endodontics and a M.S. degree. After 11 years as a Navy dental officer, Dr. Archer was active in private practice for 17 years in Chesapeake, Va. While teaching in the Navy GPR program at Naval Hospital Portsmouth, Va., Dr. Archer began teaching part time at the VCU School of Dentistry. He continued as an adjunct faculty member for 19 years before becoming full-time faculty in 2009. Dr. Archer achieved his Board certification in 2011.
Dr. Archer currently serves as a member of the AAE’s Special Committee on Endodontic Competency, which develops a methodology to research curriculum and outcomes in undergraduate endodontic education.
He is an innovator in education: he put VCU’s predoctoral lecture series online, recorded all the lectures for the course and made it available to the students through 12 Blackboard modules. He recently won an award from the School of Dentistry for innovative learning related to his efforts in this course. He also implemented computerized testing throughout the endodontics department.
Dr. Archer has mentored several of the endodontic program graduates preparing for their Boards, instrumental to the school’s very high percentage rate of graduates who obtain ABE Board certification.
“Dr. Richard Archer is an individual who is a dedicated educator, innovator and has been an inspiration to both predoctoral and endodontic graduate students his entire career here at VCU School of Dentistry.” –-Clara M. Spatafore, D.D.S.,M.S.
Part-Time Educator Award
Presented to part-time educator for at least 20 years whose contributions to endodontics have demonstrated dedication to the specialty and have instilled in his/her students a desire to pursue excellence in their careers.
Calvin D. Torneck, D.D.S., M.S.
Dr. Calvin D. Torneck is a retired professor emeritus who teaches part time in the graduate endodontic program at the University of Toronto and is also a visiting professor in the postdoctoral endodontic program at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He joined the U of T faculty of dentistry in 1960 to pursue a part-time career in teaching and research. In the ensuing years, he progressed through the academic ranks to become a full professor and chair of the department of endodontics, and co-chair of the postgraduate and graduate endodontic departments before retiring in 2000.
In September 2006, Dr. Torneck retired from his private practice in Toronto. He has served as a consultant and senior staff member to the dental divisions at Mt. Sinai Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
Dr. Torneck has authored or coauthored 60 scientific papers, five endodontic teaching manuals, and contributed chapters to 19 textbooks related to dental practice and dental science. He also has served as an editorial consultant to several national and international scientific journals and lectured extensively in North, Central and South Americas, as well as Europe, Israel, Australia and South Africa.
He is a recipient of the AAE Ralph F. Sommer and Louis I. Grossman Awards, U of T Dental Students Society and Dental Student Athletic Awards, University of Michigan Endodontic Alumni Award of Merit, and U of T Dental Alumni Alumnus of Distinction Award.
He recently was honored by the Toronto Endodontic Alumni Association with the establishment of the Shimon Friedman and Cal Torneck Research Fellowship. He currently serves as secretary of the International Federation of Endodontic Associations.
Dr. Torneck received his D.D.S. degree from U of T in 1958, and M.S. degree and Certificate of Endodontics from the University of Michigan in 1959. He is a Life-Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists in Canada and a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics.
“All residents look forward to interaction with Dr. Torneck each week. An important aspect of every university health care program is teaching the residents the connection between scientific literature and clinical practice. It is extremely beneficial to interact with an educator like Dr. Torneck, who possesses a comprehensive knowledge in the field of endodontics.” –Craig D. Bellamy, D.D.S.
Honorary Membership
Honorary Membership in the AAE is given in recognition of the significant contributions made to further the advancement of endodontics.
Donald R. Nixdorf, D.D.S., M.S.
Dr. Donald R. Nixdorf has contributed to the specialty of endodontics in multiple ways. Not only has he given AAE presentations and contributed to literature, he also has served on AAE committees and the Journal of Endodontics Scientific Advisory Board. His most recent appointment was to the Special Committee on Methodology of Cracked Tooth Studies. Dr. Nixdorf worked diligently with these committees and earned the respect of his fellow committee members.
Dr. Nixdorf serves as chief investigator for a National Dental Practice-Based Research Network project, looking at outcomes after nonsurgical endodontic treatment. The results of the initial study were quite remarkable and Dr. Nixdorf received further funding from the Foundation for Endodontics to follow patients who reported persistent pain after root canal treatment. These outcomes findings will most assuredly contribute to furthering the understanding of persistent pain as well as informed consent discussions.
Dr. Nixdorf is an associate professor and acting director, Division of TMD & Orofacial Pain, at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. His clinical and teaching interests include the diagnosis and management of chronic TMD pain, headaches and neuropathic pain. His research is focused on the topic of persistent non-odontogenic “tooth” pain.
“I attended many of Dr. Nixdorf’s presentations and I have also seen him in attendance at other lectures during our annual sessions. His thirst for knowledge is one of the first things that others note about him. Learning about endodontics, asking challenging questions that push us forward and sharing knowledge are three of Dr. Nixdorf’s many strengths.” –Alan S. Law, D.D.S., Ph.D.