Gratitude in Action: Celebrating Our Volunteers and the Foundation for Endodontics
As we move into November, I’m reminded that gratitude isn’t just a feeling—it’s a practice. It’s something we express through action, connection, and commitment to one another, to our specialty and to our patients. In that spirit, I want to pause this month to recognize and thank two groups that embody what makes our specialty so strong: the many AAE volunteers who give their time and talents, and the Foundation for Endodontics, whose work continues to uplift our profession in lasting ways.
The Power of Volunteerism
Each and every day, I am reminded at the heart of the AAE are hundreds of members who serve on committees, task forces, working groups, and the Board of Directors—each lending their unique perspective and expertise to help the organization grow and adapt. These are busy endodontists and educators who take on extra work because they believe in something bigger than themselves: the collective progress of our specialty.
AAE volunteers guide initiatives that touch every aspect of what we do—from shaping clinical resources and educational programming, to refining our communications and public awareness efforts, to ensuring that our policies reflect the evolving realities of endodontic practice. They help us stay nimble and forward-thinking in a time when health care, technology, and patient expectations are rapidly changing.
Just recently, I attended the American Dental Association’s (ADA) House of Delegates meetings in Washington, D.C. Surrounded by nearly 25 AAE member–volunteer delegates to the ADA, we testified on behalf of our specialty—standing up for what is right for endodontics and for our organization. And the ADA heard us. They accepted our recommendations on nearly every resolution relevant to endodontics.
This kind of work often happens behind the scenes, but its impact is everywhere. It’s evident in the advocacy that keeps endodontics visible and respected in Washington. It’s reflected in the exceptional continuing education that sets us apart from other specialties and equips our members to practice at the highest standards. It’s visible in our compassionate public outreach that helps patients understand the value of saving their natural teeth. And it’s recognized throughout the ADA and other specialty organizations as a testament to our unwavering commitment—to endodontics, to our members, and to the patients we serve.
To every committee member, reviewer, mentor, speaker, and leader who contributes your time and expertise—thank you. Your service not only strengthens the AAE, but it also strengthens the bonds that make our community unique.
Your dedication reminds me daily that leadership is never a solo endeavor. Every success we achieve as an organization is made possible by the insight, commitment, and generosity of our volunteers. You help me every day to lead more effectively, think more broadly, and stay connected to the very heart of our specialty. For that, and for all you do, I’m deeply grateful.
The Foundation: Gratitude That Gives Back
The same spirit of selflessness and shared purpose is woven throughout the work of the Foundation for Endodontics. For more than half a century, the Foundation has stood as a tangible expression of our profession’s gratitude—transforming generosity into real outcomes that benefit research, education, and access to patient care.
Through its research grants, the Foundation fuels scientific discovery that keeps endodontics at the forefront of dental medicine. Those studies don’t just expand our knowledge—they inform the treatments we provide every day and drive innovations that make endodontic therapy more predictable, effective and comfortable for our patients.
Through educational support, the Foundation ensures that endodontic educators and departments have the resources they need to train the next generation. By helping sustain faculty positions and expanding opportunities for residents with grants and awards, the Foundation safeguards the future of endodontic education and keeps our specialty visible, vibrant and thriving in academic settings.
And through its access to care initiatives, the Foundation empowers endodontists to serve their-own local and global communities—providing tooth-saving treatment to patients who might otherwise face extraction or chronic pain. These projects are a profound reminder that our skills can be life-changing, and that oral health is an integral part of overall well-being.
Every one of these efforts—every grant awarded, every student supported, every patient relieved of pain—is a reflection of your collective generosity and the Foundation’s unwavering mission.
A Community Worth Celebrating
When I think about the AAE’s many accomplishments over the past year, one thing is clear: none of it happens without the people who care deeply about our profession. The volunteers who give their time. The Foundation that channels our collective goodwill into action, and the members who show up for patients, students, and colleagues with integrity and compassion.
Together, you embody what it means to belong to a professional family that not only advances endodontics but also uplifts everyone connected to it. As we enter this season of thanksgiving, please know how deeply grateful I am for all you do. Together, we are not only saving teeth—we are changing lives.