Awards & Recognition
Designed to encourage and acknowledge lifelong enhancement of knowledge and skills, the AAE awards honor significant contributions to the specialty and community. We encourage all members to participate in the AAE awards and recognition program at some point in their career.
The purpose of the AAE awards and recognition program is to:
- Celebrate the excellence and unique qualities of recipients.
- Reward and acknowledge important contributions.
- Engender pride and excitement in the organization.
- Inspire and motivate future leaders.
Award Nomination Process:
- The Honors and Awards Committee gathers nominations for consideration of AAE’s awards that are given at the annual meeting.
- Nominations remain active for two years, with the exception of nominations for the Edward M. Osetek Educator Award, and are confidential.
- Candidates not selected previously may be renominated.
Refer to the award criteria below to review nomination requirements for each award and check back to learn when the next nomination period opens.
AAE Awards
Edgar D. Coolidge Award
Named for Edgar D. Coolidge, a pioneer in endodontics who was instrumental in establishing the AAE, this award recognizes individuals who exemplify Dr. Coolidge’s extraordinary vision, leadership, and dedication to the specialty. Recipients of this award—the AAE’s highest honor—are an elite group of individuals who serve as role models for the entire endodontic community.
Louis I. Grossman Award
This award recognizes an author for cumulative publication of significant research studies that have made an extraordinary contribution to endodontology.
Ralph F. Sommer Award
This award is given to the principal author(s) of a publication of specific significance to the science and art of endodontology. The award may be given for articles describing developments or advances in methodology and/or materials and devices and for constructive influence on clinical practice. The paper(s) need not necessarily be based on research, but can be philosophical, social, technological, etc., and pertaining to endodontics.
I.B. Bender Lifetime Educator Award
This award acknowledges a member whose contributions to endodontics in the field of education have demonstrated excellence through selfless commitment to full-time educational pursuits, and whose valuable contributions have instilled in his/her students the desire to pursue excellence in their careers.
Edward M. Osetek Educator Award
This award is given to a member that has demonstrated status as an outstanding educator by earning the esteem and respect of his/her students and faculty associates; by the quality of former/current students and their impact on endodontics; and by receiving invitations to present endodontic seminars, lectures or workshops at other educational institutions.
Part-Time Educator Award
This award recognizes a part-time educator in a predoctoral or advanced specialty program in endodontics whose valuable contributions have demonstrated dedication to endodontics and instilled in his/her students the desire to pursue excellence in their careers.
Spirit of Service Award
This award acknowledges a member who has demonstrated the true spirit of leadership either recently or over the years. Two awards are presented in this category: one to the Lifetime Dental Community Volunteer and one to the New Practitioner Dental Community Volunteer (under 10 years in practice).
Honorary Membership
Honorary Membership is granted by the Board of Directors in acknowledgment of their significant contributions that have furthered the advancement of endodontics.
Student Achievement Award
The Student Achievement Award in Endodontics and certificate is presented annually to an undergraduate dental student who has demonstrated an above-average skill level in endodontics. While all students who show a keen interest in endodontics are encouraged to join the AAE as Predoctoral Student members, program directors are invited to nominate one student for this award each year.
For more information, contact the Membership Department at membership@aae.org, 800-872-3636 (North America) or 312-266-7255 (International).
President's Award
Presented at the discretion of the AAE President and approved by the Board of Directors, the President's Award honors exceptional members who work behind the scenes to promote and advance the Association.