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American Association of Endodontists Selects New Leaders

The American Association of Endodontists appointed its 2016-2017 officers and added four new members to its Board of Directors during the Association's annual meeting, April 6 -9, in San Francisco.

Linda G. Levin, D.D.S., Ph.D., President. Dr. Levin received her D.D.S and Certificate in Endodontics from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. As a Physician Scientist Award Recipient from the National Institutes of Health she completed a Ph.D. in microbiology and immunology at UNC School of Medicine in 1995. With more than 20 years of experience at the UNC School of Dentistry, currently an adjunct associate professor, Dr. Levin served as the department chair of endodontics and authored numerous peer-reviewed papers, book chapters and review articles in the areas of endodontics and pulp biology. Dr. Levin maintains a private practice in Durham N.C., and is a Diplomate and past president of the American Board of Endodontics. As President, Dr. Levin also sits on the AAE Foundation Board of Trustees, the Annual Session Planning Committee, the Special Committee to advise the NDPBRN National Study of Root Canal Treatment and the Special Committee on Predoctoral Endodontic Education.

Garry L. Myers, D.D.S., President-Elect. Dr. Myers is the graduate program director of endodontics at the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. He joined the VCU faculty in 2014 after 16 years in private practice in Tumwater, Wash. Dr. Myers received his D.D.S. degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 1985. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Air Force, where he completed a residency program in endodontics at Wilford Hall Medical Center in 1991 and subsequently completed the requirements to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics in 1994. He previously served as District VI Director, Secretary and Vice President on the Board of Directors and is a past president of the Washington State Association of Endodontists. As President-Elect, Dr. Myers also sits on the AAE Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Budget and Finance, Constitution and Bylaws and Corporate Relations Committees.

Patrick E. Taylor, D.D.S., M.S., Vice President. Dr. Taylor has been in private endodontic practice in Bellevue, Wash., since 1998. Prior to that, he served in the U.S. Navy Dental Core, last serving as the Executive Officer of the Naval Dental Center, Pearl Harbor. He received his D.D.S. from the University of California at San Francisco and his Certificate in Endodontics from the University of Washington in Seattle. He currently holds an appointment as an affiliate associate professor at the University of Washington School of Dentistry. Dr. Taylor is a Diplomate and past president of the American Board of Endodontics. He previously served on the AAE Board of Directors from 2003 to 2006. As Vice President, Dr. Taylor also sits on the AAE Foundation Board of Trustees and serves on the Budget and Finance Committee and as the Board Liaison to the Public and Professional Relations Committee.

Stefan I. Zweig, D.D.S., Treasurer. Dr. Zweig is a private practicing endodontist in San Marino, Calif. He received his B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of California-Los Angeles in 1982, his D.D.S. from the University of Southern California in 1986, and his Certificate in Endodontics from USC in 1990. He currently serves as an assistant professor in the department of endodontics at the USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. A member of the AAE Board of Directors from 2012-2015. Dr. Zweig also chaired the Membership Services Committee and is a past president of the Southern California Academy of Endodontists and the California State Association of Endodontists. As Treasurer, Dr. Zweig serves as chair of the Budget and Finance Committee.

Alan H. Gluskin, D.D.S., Secretary. Dr. Gluskin is currently professor and co-chair of the Department of Endodontics, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, University of the Pacific in San Francisco. He graduated from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in 1972 and received his Certificate in Endodontics from Temple University in 1976. He is a Fellow of the International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists. Dr. Gluskin previously served on the AAE Board of Directors from 2011-2014. As Secretary, Dr. Gluskin also serves on the Constitution and Bylaws Committee and as the Board Liaison to the Editorial Board Committee. Dr. Gluskin will also serve as the Program Chair for the AAE's 2017 annual meeting.

Terryl A. Propper, D.D.S., M.S., Immediate Past President. Dr. Propper is a senior partner of a seven-doctor, two-location endodontic practice in Nashville, Tenn., and has been with Endodontic Associates for more than 25 years. An AAE member since 1988, Dr. Propper has served the Association in a variety of leadership roles. Before becoming an endodontist, Dr. Propper was the assistant director of marketing for the ADA. She received her D.D.S. from the University of Tennessee and her M.S. and Certificate in Endodontics from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. As Immediate Past President, Dr. Propper also sits on the AAE Foundation Board of Trustees, serves as Board Liaison to the Annual Session Site Selection and Nominating Committees, and chairs the Constitution and Bylaws Committee.

Bruce Y. Cha, D.M.D., District II Director, representing Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. Dr. Cha is a private practicing endodontist in the New Haven, Conn., area, where he also serves as an assistant clinical professor at the University of Connecticut and Yale University, and as endodontic section chief at Yale-New Haven Hospital. A Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics, Dr. Cha earned his D.M.D. and Certificate in Endodontics from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. He is a past president of the Connecticut Association of Endodontists and the New Haven Dental Association.

Gerald J. Halk, D.D.S., M.S., J.D., District IV Director, representing Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Dr. Halk received his dental degree from the University of Michigan and his Masters of Science in Endodontics from the University of Southern California. He currently practices full-time clinical endodontics and is a clinical adjunct professor at the University of Detroit in the Department of Endodontics. Dr. Halk is a past president of the Michigan Association of Endodontists and the Macomb Dental Society. He previously served on the AAE's Constitution and Bylaws, Communications, and Professional Conduct and Ethics Committees.

John M. Yaccino, D.D.S., District V Director, representing Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Public Health, Puerto Rico, Texas, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and the Veterans Administration. Dr. Yaccino is Chief of Endodontics for Scott Air Force Base AEGD Residency Program. He earned his D.D.S. from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry in 1989 and his Certificate in Endodontics from Wilford Hall Medical Center in 1999. A Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics, Dr. Yaccino also served as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center Department of Endodontics, and an associate professor for the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences.

Natasha M. Flake, D.D.S., Ph.D., M.S.D., District VI Director, representing Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming and Guam. Dr. Flake earned her D.D.S. and Ph.D. in neuroscience at the University of Maryland. She completed her endodontic training at the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 2007 and joined the school's faculty as an assistant professor the same year. She currently serves as director of predoctoral endodontics. Dr. Flake is a former chair of the AAE's Research and Scientific Affairs Committee and the Special Committee on Practice Based Research Networks. She will serve as Board Liaison to the Research and Scientific Affairs Committee.

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About the American Association of Endodontists

The American Association of Endodontists, headquartered in Chicago, Ill., represents more than 8,200 members worldwide. Endodontics is one of nine dental specialties formally recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAE, founded in 1943, is dedicated to excellence in the art and science of endodontics and to the highest standard of patient care. The Association inspires its members to pursue professional advancement and personal fulfillment through education, research, advocacy, leadership, communication and service.

For high resolution images, please contact Jennifer Gibson, public relations manager, at jgibson@aae.org.