AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS FOUNDATION

Stephen E. Hershey, DDS, MS

Awards Program:

The awards designated to benefit orthodontic education, in particular junior faculty development is now approaching $5 million.

During the March 2005 meeting of the AAOF BOD, the Directors decided to fund 12 Orthodontic Faculty Development Fellowship awards and 2 Center awards.

Based on a study prepared by the Planning and Awards Review Committee, almost 80% of  junior faculty supported by the AAOF since 1998 are still in academics, a number of whom are now more established in their careers and are department chairs and/or program directors.  The AAOF website (www.aaofoundation.net) has further information on the awards and how this investment has benefited the specialty.

Awards materials for 2006 are now available through this website or by Fax: (314) 993-5208 or e-mail: rhazel@aaortho.org.  Applications and supporting materials are due at the AAOF offices by 5:30 on Thursday, December 15, 2005.

Campaign Overview:

Last year was the campaign’s sixth consecutive year of more than $2 million in pledges, only the second year of more than $3 million in pledges and the most successful fundraising year ever.

Currently the campaign has realized a total of more than $27.5 million in pledges, of which $17.7 million has been redeemed.

The Phantom Gala, held in conjunction with the San Francisco Annual Session of the AAO was a tremendous success.  The event resulted in $1.8 million in pledges including $1.3 million in corporate pledges.  Exceptionally strong support was received from our top corporate partners:  3M Unitek, GAC International, Ormco/”A” Company and Align Technologies, increased their pledges to the Platinum Corporate level ($500,000).  American Orthodontics and TP Orthodontics increased their pledges to the Corporate Center Award level ($250,000) and OCA became an AAOF Corporate Partner at the Founder level ($100,000), presenting the Foundation with a check for the full amount of their pledge in San Francisco.

Nationally the campaign participation has risen to 32%.  The GLAO has a 35% pledge rate, fourth out of the eight AAO Constituent Societies.

To those members who have made a pledge we say thank you.  Please remember to ask your friends and colleagues to follow your leadership and make a pledge to the Foundation.  If you have fulfilled your pledge consider raising your pledge to the next level.

There has never been a more urgent need to support orthodontic faculty development.

“Giving Is Good For Your Health.”