Journal of the American Orthodontic Society • January

PILOTING THE WAY FOR DENTAL EXCELLENCE “Dr. Gonzalez has acted as a guide to many helping to assist them and their organization through treacherous waters to bring them to a safe secure landing site.” By Greg Cannizzo, DDS, CDE, JAOS Editor T 2010 Dr. Richard L. Moore Lifetime Achievement Award Winner mission to provide dental care to one of the poorest villages in the Dominican Republic. He has lovingly visited La Victoria 17 times. This mission has blossomed info a medical, dental, hospital-based program even providing cornea transplants for the blind. During his time with the AOS, Dr. Gonzalez has been a Past Presi-dent of the Society and the first President of the AOS Foundation. He helped established the Academy of Diplomates for the Society as well as serving as a Board Examiner for the past 10 years. He is also the current Executive Director of the Academy of Diplomates and has standardized the testing program and credentialing for the Society. He has recently been approved as an AOS senior instructor. Dr. Gonzalez has provided so many with guidance and help. He has led the boats of so many groups, organizations and friends through the difficult straits of life. He lives by the famous quote, “The time for action is now. It’s never too late to do something.” We thank you Ed for being our friend, our mentor and our pilot. he ancient port of Alexandria is the main port in Egypt and dates back to 1900BC. The harbor is protected by marine rocks and two break waters while the width of the entrance is only about 400 meters intersected by narrow and winding channels. Because of this dangerous situa-tion, traversing the port can be hazardous. For this reason, for centuries, pilot boats have lead ships through these treacherous waters to the safe harbor. Dr. Ed Gonzalez, Past President and Diplomate of the American Orthodontic Society, has been a pilot boat to both the members of the AOS as well as to his commu-nity, organized dentistry, his patients, family and world at large. Dr. Gonzalez has acted as a guide to many helping to assist them and their organization through treacherous waters to bring them to a safe secure land-ing site. In recognition of this and his outstanding commitment to the educational values of the American Orthodontic Society, Gonzalez was awarded the Dr. 40 January/February 2011 JAOS Richard L. Moore Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2010 annual meeting of the American Orthodontic Society in October 2010. This prestigious award is the highest honor given by the Board of Directors and is named for the founder of the AOS. Throughout Gonzalez’s career, he has been an advocate for his community and organized dentistry. In 1983, Governor Bob Graham appointed him to the Florida State Board of Dentistry. Ed then revamped the examination process for dentists wishing to practice in the State of Florida. This exam method has since been copied by many state boards across the nation. Governor Jeb Brown appointed Gonzalez to the board of Trustees of the Hillsborough Community College in 1999. He served for eight years and was honored for his personal achieve-ment of having had two complete college campuses built due to his singular efforts. This included a state-of-the-art dental hygiene school in Hillsborough County. In 1984, Gonzalez and his brother-in-law began a church