UWOAA Wire – Winter 2021
Message from UW Department Chair Greg Huang
To say that this has been a challenging year would be an understatement. I hope each of you is weathering the COVID19 storm as we all look forward to more effective treatments and an effective vaccine. I was asked to write an editorial for Kevin O’Brien’s blog recently, and I thought I would share that with all of you as my Chair’s message. Please take care, and I look forward to seeing all of you in person soon.
Orthodontics in a Post-COVID-19 World
COVID-19 has forced each of us to face some interesting, serious, and uncomfortable questions about many of our core values and beliefs. For example, do you support stay-at-home orders in order to flatten the curve, or do you believe individuals at lower risk should be able to continue normal social interactions in order to develop herd immunity? Many countries have adopted the first policy, while a few have adopted the latter. Do you believe public health is more important than the economy? Just look at the battle between Democrats and Republicans to see how disparate opinions can be regarding this question. How much can/should a community spend addressing the COVID-19 pandemic? In Seattle, one recently recovered COVID-19 patient left the hospital with medical bills totaling over one million dollars, and the 4 hospitals in the University of Washington Medical Center system are anticipated to lose more than $500 million by the end of this summer (1).
In dentistry, the questions are not any easier. A New York Times article reported that 4 out of 5 of the riskiest occupations for acquiring a COVID-19 infection are in the dental field, due to our proximity to the nose and mouth and the creation of aerosols during our work (2). These occupations are hygienists, oral surgeons, dental assistants, and dentists. What changes to our practices are needed to keep dental patients, staff, and doctors safe? Again, opinions differ greatly, with some feeling that our protective measures were already adequate, while others suggest very significant modifications to our workspace and PPE are necessary.
The Dental Profession is facing its biggest infection management crisis since the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. It was then that we began wearing gloves and masks, and I remember the push back from some practicing dentists. Similarly, there is some push back now to changes that are being mandated or proposed.
But every crisis, no matter how difficult, is also an opportunity for change and improvement. While dentistry has had well established infection prevention practices, they have primarily been directed toward blood-borne pathogens. This is the time to recognize, assess, and reduce risk from airborne infections. Hopefully, a vaccine and an effective treatment will be developed for COVID-19 soon. However, there will likely be other novel viruses in the future, and we should also consider the chemicals and particulates that are in the aerosols we generate. It makes sense to me to minimize the creation of aerosols, and to capture them at the point of generation if at all possible.
These are challenging times. As an orthodontist, I am grateful that our risk is lower than colleagues in other areas of dentistry. But we see lots of patients who fall in age range where COVID infections may not be accompanied by symptoms. And we see lots of patients every single day. I don’t think we should let our guard down. In our state, we have been seeing patients for several months now. We started in mid-May, seeing a few emergent patients. Then, we transitioned to a light schedule of simpler procedures in early June. Since mid-June, we are back to an almost normal schedule, including aerosol generating procedures. Our venture back to clinical activity has been sprinkled with many emotions, including anxiety about contracting or spreading the virus, frustration with the additional PPE required, and relief that we are finally back to work.
I must admit that I have not felt entirely comfortable at work, and I kept wondering why. It dawned on me a few weeks ago, as patients were sitting masked waiting to see me, and then masked up as soon as their procedures were completed. All our work, all the wonderful smiles we are creating, are covered up. We can no longer share a smile to make a patient feel welcome, reassure a parent, or communicate with a staff member. This is what I was missing, and this is what the world is missing right now – THE POWER OF SMILES! I will be so happy and relieved when COVID19 is a manageable disease, and we can all unmask and smile at each other again.
References
- https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/uw-medicine-faces-500-million-shortfall-because-of-coronavirus-pandemic-staff-cuts-and-furloughs-coming/
- https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/15/business/economy/coronavirus-worker-risk.html
Sincerely,
Greg J. Huang, DMD, MSD, MPH
Professor and Chair
Dr. Sue Herring
Professor Emeritus, Orthodontics
Professor, Oral Health Sciences
After over 30 years in the UW Orthodontics Department, Sue Herring became Professor Emeritus in July, 2020. Sue was recruited in1990 by former Chair Peter Shapiro and a search committee headed by Vince Kokich. She was lured to Seattle by the cherry trees, the Ballard locks, and the promise of teaching craniofacial function instead of gross anatomy (although she ended up teaching both anyway). With a PhD in Anatomy from the University of Chicago, Sue had spent the previous 18 years at the University of Illinois Chicago, rising from Postdoctoral Fellow to Full Professor of Oral Anatomy. Sue’s research on craniofacial function and its influence on skull growth has been funded almost continuously by NIDCR from 1981 until this year. She is a Fellow of AAAS and AADR and a recipient of the Craniofacial Biology Award from IADR and the Rothwell Lifetime Achievement Award. At UW her service on numerous committees included being chair of Dentistry’s Faculty Council under 3 different Deans. She plans a slow wind-down of research that will keep her active in her lab for a few years. Sue thanks the faculty, students and alumni of Orthodontics for welcoming an “outsider” to the department and for three fun, productive decades with wonderful colleagues.
Bette Horishige’s Taishoku
A message from our Administrator
On Sept. 10 I retired from the University. I miss the daily challenges and ‘adventures’ of my job. In my “Taishoku”, I look forward to doing more traveling abroad (when it’s safe) and just having more time to do all the things I love.
I’ve had a very rewarding career here at the UW and loved all the challenges and successes I found in all my positions during my 30-plus year career working in Engineering, Business, Medicine, Nursing and Dental Schools.
I want to thank all the faculty and staff I’ve had the great pleasure to work with these past 8 years in the School. Special thanks to Dr. Greg Huang who gave me this wonderful opportunity to work with amazing faculty, staff and graduate students in the Department of Orthodontics.
My heartfelt best wishes to all of you. Stay well!
Warmest regards
Bette Horishige,
Administrator
Department of Orthodontics
Honors & Awards
The AAO Council on Scientific Affairs (COSA) awarded
Dr. Lauren S. Todoki
The 2020 Milo Hellman Research Award
“The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network Adulting Anterior Openbite Study: Treatment Success”
Established by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) in 1958, The Milo Hellman Research Award is open to US/Canadian orthodontic teachers, researchers or graduate student/residents. The award is for an original investigation that gives some new and significant material of value to the art and science of orthodontics.
Dr. Todoki joins past UW recipients Dr. Stephen Noxon (2001), Dr. John R. Smith (1978), Dr. Don Joondeph (1972) and Dr. David Turpin (1967).
Dr. David L. Turpin
was honored as the
2020 Dean’s Club Honorary Lifetime Member
Dr. Turpin has been a faculty member since 1971. He has been the editor of the PCSO Bulletin, the Angle Orthodontist, and the American Journal of Orthodontic and Dentofacial Orthopedics. He was the Department’s second Moore-Riedel Endowed Professor, holding that title from 2010 until 2019. In August 2018, he helped mark the Department’s 70th anniversary by organizing an international evidence-based symposium in Seattle. Dave and his wife Judy have been extremely generous supporters of the Department, with over $100K in lifetime donations.
Dr. Turpin joins previous Dean’s Club Honorary Lifetime Members: Vincent G. Kokich (2014), Peter A. Shapiro (2012), Richard P. Ferguson (2005), and Alton W. Moore (2002).
Dr. Greg Huang
Kokich-Shapiro Endowed Professor and Chair, Department of Orthodontics
Louise Ada Jarabak Memorial International Teachers and Research Award
May 2020
As Professor and Chair of the Orthodontic Department at the University of Washington School of Dentistry, Dr. Huang led the AAO Practice Based Research Network Committee (AAO-PBRN), formed in 2013 to encourage orthodontic research in network settings. The adult anterior open bite study was the first project to be approved and funded by the National Dental Practice Based Research Network. Dr. Huang led recruitment of AAO member research participants in 2015 and later presented information about the study at the 2018 and 2019 Annual Sessions. He was the Doctors Co-chair for the 2020 AAO Winter Conference in Austin, Texas, focused on treatment of open bite.
The recipient of this award is selected from nominations received from AAO Constituent Societies. Past UW recipients include Dr. Vince Kokich (2015), Dr. Roberto Justus (2013), Dr. William R. Proffit (2000), and Dr. Alton Moore (1999).
Clinical Faculty
New Affiliate Faculty
Tarisai C. Dandajena DDS MS PhD
Affiliate Associate Professor
While born in Zimbabwe, Dr. Dandajena is travelled widely with experiences spanning three continents (Africa, Europe and North America) and five countries (Zimbabwe, Greece, Denmark, USA and South Africa). He received his dental degree from the University of Aristotle in Thessaloniki, Greece in 1995, Master of Science degree and specialty certificate in Orthodontics in 2001, and PhD in Cell Biology in 2005. After serving as Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthodontics at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, South Africa, he relocated to Seattle where he maintains a private practice. Dr. Dandajena is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. He is a military graduate of the Military School for Officer Corps, Greece (1995) and retired at the rank of Captain from the Zimbabwe National Army. He has previously served as the Chief Dental Officer for the Zimbabwe National Army. Research Interests: Orthodontic and surgical management of cleft lip and cleft palate patients Lateral incisor extraction indications Ageing and osteoporosis.
Sepi Torkan DDS MSD
Affiliate Assistant Professor
Dr. Sepi Torkan is an Affiliate Assistant Professor, teaching graduate students on Wednesday afternoons. She completed her dental school at Isafhan University of Medical Sciences and then moved to Seattle, completing her orthodontic training as well as Master of Science in Dentistry at the University of Washington. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. Dr. Torkan has published several peer-reviewed papers and is a reviewer for several orthodontic journals. Dr. Torkan practices in Redmond, WA.
Graduate Faculty
Don R. Joondeph DDS MSD
Associate Professor Emeritus
Moore-Reidel Professor
Dr. Joondeph has returned to the Department in a 20% capacity, funded by the MooreRiedel Endowment. He plans to continue teaching the orthognathic surgery course, and offering more time for orthognathic surgery consultations. He also plans to conduct research on various aspects of orthognathic surgery in conjunction with Dr. Dale Bloomquist.
Dr. Joondeph was Chair of the Department from 1975-84. He is also Past President of the Washington American Board of Orthodontics (ABO), the American Association of Orthodontists, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, and the Washington State Society of Orthodontists. He received the Milo Hellman Research Award from the AAO and presented the Jacob A. Salzmann, John V. Mershon and Edward H. Angle lectures. Dr. Joondeph was also the recipient of the ABO’s 2003 Albert H. Ketcham Award.
Heather A.M. Woloshyn DMD MSD
Acting Assistant Professor
Dr. Woloshyn received her DMD from the University of Saskatchewan in 1986. She came to Seattle in 1986 to complete a General Practice Residency at the University of Washington and then continued on to a fellowship in Hospital Dentistry from 1987-88. In 1989, Heather joined the UW faculty as Acting Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral Surgery and was Acting Director of the General Practice Residency Program until 1991. Dr. Woloshyn went on to complete her specialty training in Orthodontics at the UW in 1993 and began private orthodontic practice thereafter. She rejoined the faculty at UW School of Dentistry in 2001, overseeing patient care in the graduate progam in the Department of Orthodontics as an Affiliate Clinical Professor. In 2020, Heather joined the department in a half-time role as an Acting Assistant Professor, while still maintaining a private practice. Dr. Woloshyn’s research interests include palatally impacted canines and decoronation of ankylosed, submerging primary molars.
Meet the Class of 2023
Dr. Ellen Hoang, Dr. Ameen Shahnam, Dr. Erin Yoshida, Dr. Kaitlyn Tom and Dr. Sherry Wan
Dr. Ellen Hoang
Hometown: Houston, TX
Education: BA in Economics, Rice University 2016
DMD, Harvard School of Dental Medicine 2020
Personal interests: You can usually find me consuming some type of carb – whether it’s fresh-baked cookies or pasta made from scratch. I also love crawfish boils, kickboxing, tennis, and taking “candids” of my photogenic co-residents when we’re out and about.
Favorite things about the Seattle-area: Since I really enjoy architectural photography, Seattle has really cool museums and buildings like the Seattle Public Library and the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum right next to the Space Needle! Also, there are so many vantage points to get a good view of the city’s skyline like at Kerry Park and Gasworks Park.
Favorite TV show to binge: The Office (I think I’ve seen this about 7 times, and I will try to incorporate Office-themed gifs into chats whenever I can.)
Dream vacation: I really want to travel to rural Japan, stay in the ryokans, soak in the hot springs, and feast on fresh sashimi.
Favorite memory with a co-resident: Accompanying Erin when she adopted her quarantine-cat, Ted! He’s a bit of a devil but definitely a cutie (I secretly want to kidnap him and keep him forever).
Dr. Ameen Shahnam
Hometown: Reno, NV
Education: Spanish Language and Literature, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid 2009
Biology, University of California, San Diego/University of Nevada, Reno 2011
DDS, University of Michigan School of Dentistry 2015
AEGD, Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland 2016
Personal interests: Being from the Tahoe area, I grew up skiing, loving the outdoors, and eating the best all-you-can-eat sushi around. My first hike ever was Mt. Whitney, the highest in the continental US, and, miraculously, it went well. I also played soccer preCOVID and hope to join intramural teams at UW soon.
Fun facts about me: I have visited 46 U.S. states, mostly on my cross-country moves. I have driven on moves between the west coast and D.C. 3 times. I postponed my orthodontic dream to serve in the United States Air Force for 5 years. During that time, I lived in Germany and visited 49 countries. I love sharing travel tips!
Favorite things about the Seattle-area: I continue to backpack, hike, and have fully embraced the stand up paddle boarding craze. I can’t wait to try the incredible restaurants and watch the Niners beat the Seahawks.
Dream vacation: Backpack through Patagonia, Chile, tour New Zealand in a camper van, or ski pillow lines in Japan.
Original AIM screen name: MeenDaBean. Feel free to IM me, but you may get my Away Message.
Starbucks order: Salted Caramel Cream Nitro Cold Brew. I’ll drink mostly any coffee or tea though.
Dr. Erin Yoshida
Hometown: Hilo, HI
Education: BS in Chemistry, Pacific University 2016
DDS, University of Missouri-Kansas City, 2020
Personal interests: Pre-COVID, I enjoyed traveling, watching broadway musicals (I sing the Hamilton songs in the shower), and trying new restaurants.
Fun facts about me: I tap danced for 10 years growing up so I sometimes tap to the beat whenever I wear clackity heels. I love dancing to the Happy Feet soundtrack.
Favorite things about the Seattle-area: The hikes have been so beautiful here in the PNW! I’m also looking forward to apple picking season in the fall; the honeycrisp apple is my favorite!
Favorite orthodontic appliance: The Hyrax appliance is probably the coolest because it’s named after an adorable fluffy mammal with a diastema.
Dr. Kaitlyn (Katie) Tom
Hometown: Honolulu, HI
Education: BS in Biology, University of Washington 2016
DDS, University of Missouri-Kansas City 2020
Personal interests: Personal Interests: hiking (Mt. Rainier is my favorite, it’s gorgeous in the summertime!), growing avocados (current COVID obsession), going to Huskies basketball and volleyball games, and traveling.
Fun Facts about me: I have a pet turtle back home in Hawaii
Favorite things about the Seattle-area: I love getting flowers from Pike Place Market, watching the sailboats and sunset at Gasworks Park, kayaking at the UW waterfront, and scoping out the best coffee shops. I never drank coffee until I came to Seattle and now I probably drink on average 3 cups a day.
Favorite Netflix show to binge: Grey’s Anatomy
Starbucks order: Toasted Coconut Milk Cold Brew. Having grown up in Hawaii, I love coconut everything!
Dr. Sherry Wan
Hometown: Ann Arbor, MI
Education: BS in Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 2016
MSE in Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, 2019
DMD, University of Pennsylvania 2020
Personal interests: Eating oysters with my fiancé Michael and developing a systematic review and meta-analysis of the best dog parks in Seattle with my Samoyed, Monty, and my Shepadoodle, Teddy.
Fun facts about me: My first foray into wire-bending was when I was a competitive jewelry/metal artist in high school. I then switched from bending wires to bending carbon fiber poles as a pole vaulter on my college’s varsity track & field team.
Favorite things about the Seattle-area: The seafood scene is incredible, it’s one of the most dog-friendly cities in the US, and everytime I see Mt. Rainier as I’m driving over Lake Union it’s hard to keep my eyes on the road!
Favorite memory with a co-resident: Testing the limits of my respiratory system on a challenging hike to Lake Serene with all my co-residents, and then enjoying Lauren’s delicious homemade birthday cake popcorn after.
Favorite Trader Joe’s item: Balela (savory Middle Eastern salad) – I didn’t know I could like a dish with the word “salad” in it until I tried this.
Class of 2022
Dr. Erica Frenkel, Dr. Sara Finkelman,
Dr. Jessica Collins, Dr. Lauren Hagel, and Dr. Anna Morrow
Class of 2021
Dr. Sarah Ovard, Dr. Emily Knott,
Dr. Leigh Armijo, Dr. Gabriella Aragon-Meyer, and Dr. Lauren Lewandowski
Farewell, Jacqueline Jeanette
Jacqueline Jeanette
February 4, 1964 – May 11, 2020
With great sadness, the department notes the passing of one of our most talented staff members, Jacqueline Jeanette, on May 11th. Jacqueline passed unexpectedly of natural causes overnight, having spent a loving Mother’s Day surrounded by family. We remember her as an excellent chairside assistant, talented artist, fierce advocate for patients and her fellow staff, and for her love of laughter.
Jacqueline came to the department in March of 2015, leaving a career in private practice. She brought her considerable skills and knowledge to the UW orthodontics clinic and taught many residents and other dental assistants the techniques she had honed over her long assisting career. Her love of teaching was evident in clinic and when she helped to organize the pre-doctoral clerkship program.
Jacqueline was devoted to her children and grandchildren and loved spending time with them. She was a great lover of theater, art, live performance, and travel. Jacqueline instilled an appreciation of all the arts in those around her with her zest. It is no surprise that Jacqueline’s hobbies included photography and painting, with a focus in abstractionism. She was very proud to display some of her art around our clinic, where some of it still hangs. We remember her for her great skills, her fierce passion, her bright smile, and her easy laugh. I hope you remember her with fondness and keep her memory for a blessing.
Faculty Publications
Akselrod Beygelman Y, Khosravi R, Masoud M, Turpin D, Bollen A-M. The influence of labio-lingual and mesio-distal anterior tooth dimensions on inter-arch relationships: A
modified anterior Bolton analysis. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop.156(6); 727-734; 2019.
Hoff MN, Zamora D, Spiekerman C, Aps JKM, Bollen A-M, Herring S, Katz F. Can cephalometric parameters be measured reproducibly using reduced-dose Cone-Beam computed Tomography? J World Federation of Orthodontists 8(2), pp 43-50; 2019
Kuriakose PS, Greenlee G, Heaton L, Khosravi R, Tressel W, Bollen A-M. The assessment of rapid palatal expansion using a remote monitoring software. J World Federation of Orthodontist 8(4), 165-170, 2019
Toro V, Bayirli B, Khosravi R, Masoud M, Bollen A-M. Evaluating changes in the interocclusal space during the orthodontic retention stage. Progress in Orthodontics, submitted
Bollen A-M, Hujoel PP. Birth season and prevalence of dental malocclusions in the US population. Ann of Human Biology, submitted.
Hou D, Capote R, Bayirli B, Chan DC, Huang G. The Effect of Digital Diagnostic Setups on Orthodontic Treatment Planning. Am J Orthod Dentofac Orthop 2020;157(4):542-549 .
Bayirli B, Kim-Berman H, Puntillo A. Embracing Novel Technologies in Dentistry and Orthodontics. Craniofacial Growth Series, Ann Arbor, MI, 2020, (Editor)
Riolo C, Bayirli B. In-House Orthodontic Workflow Using 3D Printing. In: Bayirli B, Berman-Kim H, Puntillo A (eds.): Embracing Novel Technologies in Dentistry and Orthodontics, Craniofacial Growth Series, Ann Arbor, MI, 2020, (Chapter author)
Huang G, Baltuck C, Funkhouser E, Wang HF, Todoki L, Finkleman S, Shapiro P, Khosravi R, Ko HC, Greenlee G, DeJesus-Vinas J, Vermette M, Larson M, Dolce C, Kau CH, Harnick D, and National Dental PBRN Collaborative Group. 2019. The national dental pbrn adult anterior openbite study: treatment recommendations and their association with patient and practitioner characteristics. AJODO. 156:312-25
Finkleman S, Todoki L, Funkhouser E, Greenlee G, Choi K, Ko HC, Wang HF, Shapiro P, Khosravi R, Baltuck B, Allareddy V, Dolce C, Kau CH, Shin K, de Jesus-Vinas J, Vermette M, Jolley C, the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network Collaborative Group, and Huang G. The national dental pbrn adult anterior openbite study: patient satisfaction with treatment. AJODO. (in press)
Todoki L, Finkleman S, Choi K, Ko HC, Wang HF, Shapiro P, Khosravi R, Baltuck C, Funkhouser E, Greenlee G, Allareddy V, Dolce C, Kau CH, Shin K, Jolley C, Vermette M, the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network, and Huang G. The national dental pbrn adult anterior openbite study: treatment success. AJODO (in press)
Deng M.Z., Leotta D.J., Huang G.J., Zhao Z.H. and Liu Z.J.*: Craniofacial, tongue, and speech characteristics in anterior open bite patients of East African ethnicity. Res Rep Oral Maxillofac Surg, 3(1):1-13, 2019.
Torkan S, Hatcher D, McNulty K, Liu Z, Huang G. 3-D Comparison of the shape and position of the condyle before and after Class II correction: A novel method. AJODO.(in review)
Princy Kuriakose; Rooz Khosravi; Geoffrey Greenlee; Lisa Heaton; Anne-Marie Bollen; Dental Monitoring® (DM) is a software system that allows orthodontists to remotely monitor a patient’s treatment. This study evaluated the accuracy of DM software in assessing the achievement of treatment goals in patients undergoing rapid palatal expansion (RPE) treatment and patient acceptance of DM. – Angle Ortho
AdamM. Skrypczak; William A. Tressel; Sara Ghayour; Roozbeh Khosravi; Douglas S. Ramsay Negative Online Reviews of Orthodontists: Content Analysis of Complaints Posted by Dissatisfied Patients; AJODO In press
Salamati A., Chen J., Herring S.W. and Liu Z. J.*: Functional tooth mobility in young pigs. J. Biomech. 104:online published 2/28/2020.
Deng M.Z., Abdelfattah M.Y., Baldwin M.C., Weaver E.M. and Liu Z.J.*: Obstructive sleep apnea in obese minipigs. J. Oral & Maxillofac Res. Submitted
Rafferty KL, Baldwin MC, Soh SH, Herring SW (2019). Mechanobiology of bone and suture – Results from a pig model. Orthod. Craniofac Res. May 22 Suppl 1:82-89
Alumni Farewells
John Dumars, Class of 1967, November 14, 2019
Raymond Kubisch, Class of 1976, January 7, 2020
Carol Wishart, Class of 1982, January 25, 2020
Les Erickson, Class of 1958, February 13, 2020
Robert Kelley, Class of 1959, May 16, 2020
Arthur Dugoni, Class of 1963, September 23, 2020
Maclay Armstrong, Class of 1962, October 20, 2020
Eugene Supernaw, Class of 1955, October 22, 2020
Halloween 2020
CrÜe L. de Vil DDS and his 101 Dalmatians !
We value your opinions and news!
Please contact Dr. Heather Woloshyn with any questions, comments, or updates
CALL
206.543.5788
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UW Department of Orthodontics
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Seattle, WA
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EMAIL
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FAX
206.685.8163
ember 23, 2018. Jim was preceded in death by the love of his life, Joyce MacQueen Mulick. At the time of his death, Jim was surrounded by the love of his family.
Northgate area. He taught part-time in the Department from 1961 – 1972. Andy was an extremely talented athlete, playing football, basketball, and baseball at the University of Iowa. At one point, he was the quarterback and captain of the football team. In his retirement, Andy enjoyed his family and friends, as well as fishing and golfing. We were so glad that he was able to join us at our 70th-anniversary reunion last August. He was all smiles, and for those who knew him, he had a truly exceptional smile.
It has been a busy year, and as the holidays quickly approach, I would like to thank each of you for your support of our Department. I also would like to thank the UWOAA, and in particular, Perry Ormiston, who has done a wonderful job serving as President for the past two years. As you all know, the Department is deeply indebted to the UWOAA for sponsoring many activities throughout the year. I, like Perry, also encourage each of you to support the UWOAA, so it can do things like sponsoring Thesis Day and the UW receptions at the PCSO and AAO meetings, providing each resident with funding to conduct their research projects, and keeping our UW Orthodontic family connected with our website and newsletters.
As many of you know, Peter Shapiro and Fedora Katz joined the UWOAA board of directors in January of 2018. As expected, we are already benefiting from their input and leadership. Additionally, Sally Gee joined the association, serving as our new administrator. As you all know, we’re always looking for new enthusiastic board members – please contact me if you are interested in becoming a board member in the future.
Dear UW alumni,
Happy fall to everyone! Here in Seattle, the days are getting cooler, and the rain is back. Just as the weather is always changing, our profession continues to change, and we all must embrace it. As stated by John F. Kennedy, “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
Dr. Laura Iwasaki is an Associate Professor and the Leo A. Rogers Chair of the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, with a joint appointment in the Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences. She is engaged in research in the areas of biomechanics of the human craniomandibular complex with special interests in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), the muscles of mastication, and the movement of teeth. Her responsibilities include clinical and didactic teaching in the advanced education and dental programs in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and research supervision at the pre-doctoral and graduate levels. Dr. Iwasaki is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics (2002) and has been involved in the clinical practice of orthodontics for several decades. Before joining UMKC, she was a full-time faculty at the College of Dentistry, University of Nebraska Medical Center (1996 – 2006) and before that, at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Manitoba (1992 -1996).To pursue her research interests, Dr. Iwasaki collaborates with a number of colleagues at different institutions, including UMKC, University of Nebraska, University at Buffalo,University of Zurich in Switzerland, and Osaka Dental University in Japan.
David Gu I was born in Detroit, Michigan but I’ve lived in China, Florida, and North Carolina. My parents and younger brother are computer software engineers and they reside in Raleigh, North Carolina. Both my younger brother and I completed our undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I completed my dental training at Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, photography, and trying new foods. I look forward to living on the West Coast and most importantly, finally realizing my high school dream of becoming an orthodontist.
Jason Johnson I am originally from Utah and come from a family of 8. I played tennis most of my life but love all sports, and am passionate about water sports. I got married this June and have loved married life. I did my undergraduate studies at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, and my dental school training at Midwestern University in Glendale, AZ. I look forward to a career in Orthodontics wherever it ends up taking me and my family!
David Shin I was born in Seoul, S. Korea, but I grew up in WA since the age of 4. I attended the UW for both undergrad and dental school and I am very excited to stay a Husky for residency! I am very passionate about cars and I love working on them in my spare time. I enjoy skiing, photography, music, traveling, but above all value spending time with family and friends. I am very thankful and excited to begin my journey in orthodontics.
