January 2019 News

Alexis Azar Posnanski

It is that time of year again! The holidays will be here before we know it and hopefully giving back is on your (or your financial advisor’s) mind. Thank you to those who have already given to the Orthodontic Graduate Program this year, and for those that have not given yet, we hope this serves as a gentle reminder to consider making a gift to the Orthodontic Annual Fund.

While 2018 has been another prosperous year at the Center for Advanced Dental Education, a few notable updates have occurred over the past twelve months. At the beginning of 2018, an initiative to elevate the Dr. Lysle Johnston Endowed Professorship to the Dr. Lysle Johnston Endowed Chair began. A goal of raising $50,000 from alums in order to receive a $50,000 match from Dr. Johnston was successful. In fact, the support to elevate the fund was overwhelming, and the total amount raised in 2018 for the Dr. Lysle Johnston Endowed Chair is currently at $164,779 and counting...

Another exciting development in 2018 was honoring Dr. Patrick Dreiling (Dentistry 1965 and Orthodontics 1970) as CADE's recipient of SLU's annual Alumni Merit Award. This acknowledgement is especially notable, as 2018 marks SLU's 200th birthday. Dr. Dreiling was chosen because he is an outstanding alumnus who has lived the mission of Saint Louis University in daily life and has achieved outstanding success in civic leadership, professional and social welfare activities, intellectual and cultural pursuits and has a continued interest and service toward supporting the enhancement of Saint Louis University. Congrats to Dr. Pat Dreiling, his wife Mary Mermis Dreiling and the entire Dreiling clan who made the trip to St. Louis from Kansas for this year's festivities.

As we look to 2019, there are two new initiatives Alexis is focusing on that relate to fundraising. Alexis has been working closely with Dr. Kika Araujo (Orthodontics 2008) to pilot a class giving challenge. Dr. Kim arrived at CADE in 2005 and has a special place in the hearts of the class of 2008. Dr. Kika Araujo has graciously agreed to assist Alexis with reaching out to her classmates to encourage them to set up a reoccurring monthly gift to support the Orthodontic Annual Fund. Thanks to Dr. Kika Araujo for your help with this initiative! There will be more to come after the first of the year regarding this project and how you can make an impact and support the Orthodontic Annual Fund which allows the Orthodontic Department to host the annual alumni reception at the AAO conference, assist with graduation costs, allows orthodontic residents and faculty to travel to meetings, pays for membership dues, licenses and applicant interviews.

Lastly, Dr. John Hatton, Executive Director of the Center for Advanced Dental Education, along with the four specialty directors, have decided to give the orthodontic waiting area a face lift. In an effort to make patients and families more comfortable and to alleviate long lines to schedule appointments, the new lobby will offer more seating in a modern and friendly environment. Attached are renderings of the renovation project. Following completion of this renovation, the directors will look to secure a space in the center to allow all four resident specialty programs to have a comfortable space to study and work on their research.

As we continue to train and educate top clinicians in the field of orthodontics, I want to thank each and every one of you who have supported the Orthodontic Department in the past and in the coming years. Below is a link to make a gift to the Orthodontic Annual Fund. As always, I am happy to answer any questions you may have. Please do not hesitate to contact me at alexis.posnanski@slu.edu or at 314-977-2247.

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