AOS MEMBERSHIP NEWS Grow Your Knowledge & Practice With AOS Opportunities I have belonged to the American Orthodontic Society for 15 years because our education and our friendships have made a difference in my career and in my ability to meet my patient needs. The dues I pay and the course registration fees throughout the years have been outstanding investments compared to the growth oppor-tunities realized in my practices. In challenging economic times, when every practice expense must be scrutinized, we know the cost of AOS membership is questioned and renewed based on the perceived value that membership adds to your practice. Many of you received your annual dues notice renewals in December. For the majority that have renewed, thanks for your membership. If you have not renewed, please do so now or let us know why you choose not to renew. Your ideas and your membership make us a better orga-nization. Our respect in the dental community has never been higher because of our outstanding programs, our advocacy efforts, and our collegial relationships with similar organizations. Here’s what we offer that deserves your continued and committed membership in the American Orthodontic Society: We are…..The largest “member-based” orthodontic educational organization in America. Course content is always determined by the Society and not by special interest groups. This allows our members to attend high-value education-FIRST programs, all Juan J. Solano, DDS recognized by the ADA Continuing AOS President Education Recognition Program. We are….The voice for GP orthodontics. Wherever we see discriminatory practices that threaten to limit your right to practice, we’re there for YOU and ALL Society members. We are….The top publisher in GP orthodontics. The Journal of the American Orthodontic Societ y is stuffed with “take-away” orthodontic pearls AND information on the latest in technology and industry trends. We do…. Provide an achievable, but rigorous, path for tier advancement. Want to increase your patient base, while improving your orthodontic skills? Follow our Academy of Diplomates recognition program from Achievement to Fellowship to Diplomate. Most importantly…The AOS is large enough to be a voice in the industry, but small enough to value your membership on an individual basis. In today’s world, that alone is worth the cost of membership. Have a happy and prosperous 2013! Juan J. Solano, DDS New Officer and Directors Elected At the AOS Annual Meeting in Memphis last October, the AOS general membership elevated three of our members to positions of leadership. Elected to Vice-President was Dr. David Thorfinn-son, who will assume the presidency at the Annual Meeting in 2014. A Board member of the Society for three years and a Diplomate, Dr. Thorfinnson grad-uated from the University of Minnesota in 1988 and is a general practitioner in East Grand Forks, MN. He has been an AOS member since 1992 and is also a member of the ADA, the Minnesota Dental Association, and a former president of the NW Minnesota District Dental Society. Elected to four-year terms on our Board of Directors were Dr. Twana Farley-Duncan of Antlers, OK and Dr. Kevin Hester of Baton Rouge, LA. A 1991 graduate of the University of Oklahoma School of Dentistry, Dr. Farley-Duncan has been a member of the AOS since 1994 and is a Diplomate of the Society. She is also a member of the ADA, Women’s Dental Organization, and the Eastern Oklahoma Dental Association. Dr. David M. Thorfinnson, DDS Kevin J. Hester, DDS Twana Farley-Duncan, DDS Hester, who received his DDS from the LSU School of Dentistry in 1984, has been a member of the AOS since 2004 and is a Fellow of the Society. He is also a member of the ADA, the Louisiana Dental Association, the Greater Baton Rouge Dental Association, the East Baton Rouge Dental Society, and the AGD. Congratulations to all of these talented members! www.orthodontics.com January/February 2013 45
Journal of the American Orthodontic Society January-February 2013: Page 45
