AAO FOUNDATION REPORT
Dr. Terry L. Duncan
The AAO Foundation continues to be a viable contributor to orthodontic education and research. For the funding year of 2004, three categories of funding were approved. First, $225 to each second-year resident to be used for student research. Second, one Center Award for a third and final year of funding. Third, thirteen orthodontic faculty development fellowship awards. The total value of these awards is $360,000.
For the 2005 funding cycle, the Foundation BOD approved availability of funding in three categories; Orthodontic Faculty Development Fellowship Awards, Biomedical Research Awards and Center Awards. The Faculty Award is designed to encourage orthodontic students and graduates to pursue careers in orthodontic education and support the development of Junior Faculty. The Biomedical Research Awards are designed to help orthodontic educators who are in the early stages of their academic career. The Center Awards are available to support groups of individuals who will collaborate in the conduct of related research projects which share a common focus.
To date, $4.2 million has been awarded for orthodontic education and research.
At the conclusion of the 2004 Annual Session in Orlando the Foundation has received $24.6 million in pledges. This includes $700,000 pledged at the meeting. Both 3M Unitek and Ormco increased their pledges to the $500,000 level while American Orthodontics had increased their pledge to the $250,000 level prior to the meeting. All three of these companies have agreed to be part of the corporate sponsorship for the 2005 Foundation Gala in San Francisco in 2005. Thanks to these wonderful supporters of the Foundation! In Orlando, six people increased their pledge to the Regent level, one of whom is current AAO President Dr. Terry Pracht, who included an endorsement of the Foundation in his President-Elect remarks to the AAO House of Delegates. More than a dozen people became members of the Foundation's Keystone Society by indicating their desire to include the AAOF in their estate plans.
Dr. James Gjerset, former AAO President, was elected to serve as National Planned Giving Chair upon the adjournment of the 2005Annual Session. Dr. Gjerset will replace Dr. Gene Blair who has done a masterful job in getting the momentum of planned giving underway.
The national Regent level stands at 360 members and the Fellow level is approximately 25 members. Recently I sent letters to all SWSO Regents encouraging them to consider raising their pledge to the Fellow level. At this point, one SWSO Regent has chosen to increase his pledge.
The AAOF continues to be an important way for us to give back to our specialty. The percentage of AAO members doing so, however, remains at less than 35%. Please give your utmost consideration to be a part of raising that percentage. If I can be of help in any way as you consider the AAOF in your support of its purpose please contact me or Robert Hazel, AAOF Executive Director. It's a pleasure to serve as the SWSO representative on the Foundation Board.