Foundation Fellowship Recipient Brings Passion to Education and Research
The basis of successfully strengthening the specialty of endodontics lies with our educators. Making sure that specialists are teaching endodontics at dental institutions across the U.S. and Canada is a top priority for the Foundation for Endodontics. The Endodontic Educator Fellowship is one way the Foundation is directly addressing this priority. The award provides funding to individuals who commit a minimum of five years to a full-time academic career in endodontics at a dental school that is accredited by or has a reciprocal agreement with the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association. Recipients receive $50,000 a year, for five years; up to $250,000 is available per recipient.
Foundation corporate donor Edge Endo is supportive of endodontic education and strengthening the pool of valuable endodontic educators. Edge’s founder and owner, Dr. Charles (Chuck) J. Goodis, increased the company’s pledge to the Foundation during the 2016–2017 campaign to support another fellowship recipient. The 2016 Edge Endo Fellowship was also funded on behalf of support from Edge Endo. The company’s commitment to strengthening endodontic education helps shape the future of the specialty.
This year, Varvara Chrepa, D.D.S., M.S., assistant professor in the Department of Endodontics at the University of Washington, impressed the selection committee with her passion for education and research.
“Academic dentistry is undeniably stimulating; the opportunity to interact with students, help them learn and instill within them the passion for endodontics is truly singular,” said Dr. Chrepa. “These interactions fuel me and make me look forward to going to work every day. My current position allows me to interact with students at the predoctoral and graduate level as well as providing me with protected time to conduct clinical and translational research; it’s great.”
Dr. Chrepa deeply values being part of an academically strong department and working with a great group of individuals who share a genuine passion for teaching. She explained that what makes her program at University of Washington unique is the strength of the didactic and clinical teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
“Led by Dr. James D. Johnson, a great teacher, and mentor, we are striving to educate excellent clinicians but also teach them that the core biologic principles and scientific foundation of what we do separates the good from the best,” Dr. Chrepa explained.
The fellowship award is a major stepping stone in Dr. Chrepa’s academic career as it provides recognition for her dedication to the specialty of endodontics. In addition to the recognition, she says “the gratification and the understanding that my efforts are rewarded make me want to keep working even harder. Also, the financial support that comes with the award is very important to my family, especially during these times when the disparities in the compensation of academicians and practitioners have grown very large.”
The Foundation for Endodontics is proud to name Dr. Varvara Chrepa the 2017 Edge Endo Endodontic Educator Fellow. The Board of Trustees is certain she will be a strong leader and bring great things to the specialty for years to come.
Get to Know Dr. Chrepa
What are your hobbies outside of work? Jogging, walking, going to the movies, traveling with my family.
- Hometown: Athens, Greece
- Dental School: University of Athens, Greece
- Relationships: Married with a three-month-old baby girl named Melina!
- Pets A three-year-old Aussie named Alfie.
- What team do you root for? Go Huskies!
- What motivates you? Conveying my passion for endodontics.
- Important qualities for a leader: Teamwork, good communication, patience.
- The high point of your career to date: Getting funded for our Apical Size RCT Trial and receiving this award.
- Favorite meal: Greek mousaka!
Read more from the September 2017 Communiqué.