Midwestern Society of Orthodontists
 


Kittleson Receives Shepard Award


The MSO annually presents the Earl E. Shepard Distinguished Service Award to a person who exemplifies the ideals of the orthodontic profession, community and family. The MSO Board of Directors unanimously voted to present its highest award for exemplary contributions to the art and science of orthodontics for 2005 to Dr. Russell T. Kittleson, Mequon, Wisconsin.

Russ graduated from Marquette University School of Dentistry in 1958 and then received his training in orthodontics at the University of Illinois, finishing in 1960.

Instrumental in initiating the graduate training program in orthodontics at Marquette in 1961, Russ currently serves as Adjunct Professor and has maintained continuous teaching service for forty-five years. He has been very actively involved in the major fundraising efforts for the new Marquette orthodontic department.

Russ has served as president of numerous organizations including the Wisconsin Society of Orthodontics, the Marquette University Dental Alumni Association and the Midwest Component of the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists. He also served as chairman of the Wisconsin Section of the American College of Dentists.

Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the Pierre Fauchard Honorary Dental Society and the American College of Dentists all have honored Russ. In 1997 he was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus in Dentistry by Marquette University. The Wisconsin Society of Orthodontists recognized him with a special service award in 1991, and the Marquette Orthodontic Department acknowledged him in 2000 for his dedication and contributions.

Russ has lectured regionally, nationally and internationally. By the generous sharing of his knowledge, as well as being a mentor, he has made orthodontists under his guidance feel like family. He has the unusual distinction of being a teacher of every orthodontic student who has ever graduated from the Marquette orthodontic program.

Russ and his wife, Jean, have three married sons: Roger, a Williams College history professor; Gary, an environmentalist; and John, an orthodontist who practices with him. Russ previously practiced with his brother, Nathan, for 35 years. He is the proud grandfather of three boys and two girls, all of whom give “Poppy” a great deal of pleasure.

Congratulations, Russ! You have been a true shining light in the orthodontic profession.

 


President's Report

Bonjour and Merci... greetings and many “thanks and accolades” to the MSO leaders who contributed to a very memorable experience for over 100 MSO members who traveled all the way to Paris this fall to be a part of the Sixth International Orthodontic Congress.

The 2005 MSO Annual Business Meeting, held in Paris, had a record attendance. Please see page 23 for more detailed information.

The MSO has been working on long-range planning and in that process has developed a Mission Statement to help guide us into the future. That statement is:
The Midwestern Society of Orthodontists (MSO), as a constituent of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), supports the mission of the AAO by providing resources, communication and leadership, while serving as a voice for its component societies and individual members.

Thank you to Drs. Lee Graber, Bill DeKock and Mike Inda and his wife, Pat, for all of their efforts in making this such a memorable meeting. Also, special thanks to the Wisconsin Society of Orthodontists and Minnesota Association of Orthodontists for underwriting some of the costs for this meeting.

Unfortunately, as many of us were preparing to travel to Paris, many of our colleagues back in the states were facing extreme challenges at home after hurricane Katrina. MSO was the first constituent to step forward to donate to the AAO Disaster Relief Fund to assist our colleagues both during this time of crisis and in the future. MSO components also are being asked by AAO to consider their own contribution to this AAO fund. For more information on Katrina-related issues, please refer to www.aaomembers.org.

Much of this “quick responsiveness” in communication and decision-making has been due to the board’s regular communication via LISTSERV. This has streamlined administrative issues and enabled the board to focus on long-range planning and “bigger picture” grassroots and international issues that are impacting MSO members.

MSO’s March 10-11 Ad Interim Board Meeting also will focus on continuing the process of long-range planning and preparing resolutions and delegation strategy for the 2006 AAO House of Delegates sessions in May. There will be a number of issues of key importance to members discussed at this meeting that could greatly impact dues rates and the future of orthodontics. If you have questions or comments, feel free to contact a member of the 2006 delegation: Steve Marshall, Jackie Miller, Mike Hipp, Kevin Horner, John Kanyusik, Brent Larson, Steve Litton, Arnie Hill, Steve Roehm and Cecile Yoon-Tarlie or your component director.

MSO is recognized as a constituent that grooms and provides strong leaders through the dental profession worldwide. Of specific importance will be two ad hoc committees providing feedback regarding MSO’s nominees for future positions as our representatives to the ABO and the AAO Board of Trustees. If you have an interest in serving on either of these boards or know of a qualified candidate, please contact ABO Director Search Committee Chair John Kanyusik (kanyusik@myclearwave.net) and/or AAO BOT Trustee Search Committee Chair Keith Levin (colevin@shaw.ca).

In addition to the board’s continued work on our own long-range plan, we also sent Dr. Brent Larson as our representative to the Southern Association of Orthodontists’ strategic planning process for the orthodontic specialty last October.

The 2006 MSO Annual Session planning committee invites you to reserve the dates of September 15-17 to join us in my hometown of St. Louis. The meeting planned to “Show Me Excellence” will be held at the Hyatt Regency at Union Station, located within walking distance of the new Busch stadium. I truly thank the committee members for their creativity and planning this great meeting. Drs. Mike Purcell, general arrangements chair; “Buzz” Behrents, scientific chair; Jackie Miller, staff program chair; Jeff Cavanaugh, social chair; and Kevin Horner, exhibits chair have done an outstanding job. Refer to the meeting info on page 23 and 24 or www.msortho.org for additional details and be watching for registration materials to arrive in June.

In order to continue MSO’s focus on communicating with and assisting components and members at the grassroots level, MSO officers also are evaluating a policy that would formalize attendance of officers on a rotating basis at component meetings.

Component leaders also should be aware that AAO now has a component leader handbook available. If you have not received a copy already, you may request one from acraig@aaortho.org at the AAO headquarters.

AAO also communicates important updates to the membership via their Straight Off the Wire e-mail service. If you are not receiving these and would like to, be sure your most current e-mail address is on file with the AAO by contacting snappier@aaortho.org at AAO.

As you can see, it will be a busy year for MSO leaders and members. I announced when installed as president this past September in Paris, that my goal was to incorporate FEES for the 2005-2006 MSO year (Fun, Efficient use of time, Efficacious to produce intended results and Surprises for officers, directors and the MSO office staff). I am honored you have chosen me to serve as your president, as together we work toward a winning season in 2005-2006!
James G. Klarsh                  
314/993-2483
Fax 314/993-9216
klarschj@slu.edu  

        

 


Trustee's Report


As you read this newsletter, I hope you are taking some time from what has been a good holiday season for you, your family and friends. The opportunity to give thanks in a land where we have the freedoms to do so in the way in which we choose – or choose not, is a gift we all can value and appreciate.

This year has been a very special year for me, serving as your trustee of the AAO and, at the same time, as president of the World Federation of Orthodontists. The highlight was this year’s Sixth International Orthodontic Congress in Paris, attended by over 8,500 colleagues and staff from around the world. The most special group of attendees at this meeting, though, was the delegation of MSO members and their families. It was good to have so many supportive colleagues share this once-in-a-lifetime professional and social experience in Paris.

Our MSO Board met all day in Paris (yes…they spent the WHOLE day in a conference room) reviewing the programs we are running and how we interface with the AAO. Your Board is a dedicated group and they are to be commended for their time and effort on behalf of orthodontics here in the Midwest. The annual business meeting was the best attended meeting we have held in years – and was topped only by the outstanding MSO-hosted reception. Thanks go to our MSO officers and our Executive Director, Kristi Burmeister.

All of us are aware of the critical shortage of funding for our graduate programs and the equally important shortage of qualified orthodontic faculty. A survey of the orthodontic programs carried out this fall demonstrated that reduced salaries are a prime cause of the problems with faculty shortages. With the severe cuts seen in dental school funding, faculty salaries have suffered. In addition to contributions to the AAOF to support research and faculty projects, AAO members have been encouraged to contribute to their own orthodontic training programs to help them in this difficult time.

While the AAOF supports the basic research efforts in many universities, as an organization, we have as yet to make a direct contribution to the schools to support faculty salaries. A special committee has been looking at this issue in order to report their findings and make recommendations to the 2006 House of Delegates. This year there will be a proposal to increase dues to allow direct support of orthodontic faculty. This committee’s findings will provide the background for a potential business plan if the HOD decides to accept a program on behalf of members. The method and the amount per member will be the focus of discussion at our ad interim meeting in March. If you have questions or comments, please contact your MSO director.

The other major issue is the potential start of a new Consumer Awareness Program. See the Council on Communications report on page 7.

Staff interest in training has skyrocketed with ever-increasing numbers attending our AAO and MSO annual sessions. The AAO distance education program has been expanded to allow staff to sign up under their doctor’s original registration and receive continuing education credit for online educational materials. These programs make excellent material for a staff “lunch & learn” or retreat/meeting. New staff training materials reviewed by COOP and the BOT will provide an excellent resource to train new orthodontic staff members and bring all of your current staff members to a high level of proficiency.

For those who have staff who might consider making a presentation at the 2006 AAO Annual Session, there will be a staff competition. Details are listed at www.aaomembers.org. Cash prizes will be available! Please continue to monitor The Bulletin for material on staff as this can be one of your best member benefits.

The BOT is interested in making AAO member volunteer time more effective and efficient. To that end, it continues to explore the use of digital technologies to reduce the use of printed materials and make access to materials quicker and more universal.

There is still time to register for the “Orthodontist as CEO” meeting to be held February 10-12, 2006, at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. Take advantage of an advanced learning opportunity designed by COOP and COIT to help you with the business aspects of running your orthodontic practice.

Finally, if you have not as yet registered for the 2006 AAO Annual Session in Las Vegas from May 5-9, now is the time to do so. The majority of AAO members now use the registration available on www.aaomembers.org as it is the most convenient way to get the hotel assignment and any special meeting tickets you might want.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you again for allowing me to serve, and have a happy and healthy new year.

Lee W. Graber
847/251-6228
Fax 847/949-6396
leegraber@earthlink.net 

 


New MSO Directors


The MSO welcomes two new directors to its Board of Directors. We thank outgoing directors Drs. Brent Larson, Minneapolis, Minnesota, who is now MSO’s secretary/treasurer and Bill Schuckit, Grafton, Wisconsin, and welcome Drs. Deborah Lien, Rochester, Minnesota, and John Crawford, Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Dr. Deborah Lien grew up on a farm in southwestern Minnesota. She was a practicing hygienist while completing her dental degree at the University of Minnesota in 1983. She received her orthodontic training at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and practices in Blooming Prairie. She also does Locum Tenens.

Deb is very active in her community, having served in her church, the Appalachian Service Project, and the Good Earth Bible Camp. She also has been a PTSA volunteer and Director and Educator for the Rochester Public Schools Gifted and Talented Reading Programs.
In addition, Deb has been very involved with her local and district dental societies and has been a delegate to the Minnesota Dental Association’s House of Delegates several times.

Deb also has been active with the Minnesota Association of Orthodontists for the last 20 years and served as its first female president in 2002. The last several years she has been most involved with the State Board of Dentistry dealing with issues of Minnesota’s specialty licensure, orthodontic auxillary expanded functions and legislative and rule-making changes.

Home life in Rochester revolves around Deb’s husband, Dale, a manufacturing engineer, and her two children, Aaron, a freshman in college; and Ana, a junior in high school.

Deb comments, “Through the years I have found that I’ve drawn from my farm background and the fond memories and lessons learned there in nearly every aspect of my professional and personal life.”

Dr. John Crawford, one of seven children, was raised in Kenosha, where he now practices. He graduated from Marquette’s Dental School in 1982. After practicing general dentistry for one year with his father, he entered the orthodontic program at Marquette, where he graduated in 1985. He completed his ABO certification in 1988.

John maintains active memberships in dental and orthodontic organizations as well as the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics. He has served as president of the local American Cancer Society and the Wisconsin Society of Orthodontists. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Southport Bank, a local community bank.

John and his wife, Susan, have three children, Jane, James and Julie. He has coached little league and youth soccer, and his hobbies include family time as well as lots of outdoor activities and jazz piano. He plays piano regularly in a family group, The Crawford Jazz Band, as well as in several area jazz big bands.

We welcome both of these talented individuals to our Board and look forward to their insightful comments as the MSO continues to move forward.

 


News and Notes About Our Members


• Thank you to the following MSO members who attended the AAO Leadership Conference in January 2005 in St. Louis on behalf of the MSO: Drs. Kevin Cook, Ross Crist, Lori Fulk, Paul Hermanson, Jim Klarsch, Jim Kohl, Virginia Mennemeyer and Cecile Yoon-Tarlie. Other MSO attendees and the organizations they represented were Jeff Cavanaugh (AAOF), Kevin Denis (Minnesota), Tim Dumore (Manitoba), Curtis Geyer (Iowa), Greg Hoeltzel (COHC), John Kharouf (South Dakota), David Lebsack (Missouri), Steve Litton (COMEJC), Rick Sikora (Illinois), Joyce Simmons (Nebraska), Lee Graber (AAO) and Kristi Burmeister, our executive director.

• Thank you to the following MSO members who will represent MSO at the 2006 Governmental Affairs Conference in March: Drs. Ryan VanLaecken, Watertown, South Dakota; Jane Bentz, Onalaska, Wisconsin; Carlin Wiemers, Mankato, Minnesota; Richard Perkins, Iowa City, Iowa; Ara Goshgarian, Lake Forest, Illinois; Dennis Sommers, Minot, North Dakota; Joyce Simmons, Valentine, Nebraska; Spencer Pope, Flossmore, Illinois; Michael Hipp, Des Moines, Iowa; and Mark Dake, West Plain, Missouri.

• Congratulations to Dr. Katherine Kula, Kansas City, Missouri, as a delegate to ADEA’s Council of Hospitals and Advanced Education Programs.

 • Congratulations to Dr. Samir Bishara, Iowa City, Iowa, on his appointment to the ADA’s Standards Committee for Dental Products.

 


Help Wanted

The officers of the MSO are occasionally searching for individuals to fill positions that become available during the course of the year. Thus, the MSO would like to develop a list of willing individuals who potentially could be called upon if such a situation should arise. This could be for an opening on a MSO or AAO committee, for example.

Therefore, if you have an interest in serving organized dentistry, and, especially, your speciality of orthodontics, and have an interest or expertise in some specific area, we would like to keep your name on file. Please submit your name by contacting your component director, any officer of the MSO or MSO’s Executive Director, Kristi Burmeister. msortho@charter.net