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With a mission to improve the periodontal and general health of the public through support of research and education, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Foundation annually recognizes members whose service and dedication have made a meaningful impact on the field.

This year, the School of Dentistry’s periodontics faculty and residents were recognized with numerous awards, including the AAP’s highest honor, the Gold Medal. Each were presented during a special ceremony at the 2022 AAP annual meeting in October.

Congratulations to our School of Dentistry winners!

AAP Gold Medal Brian L. Mealey, DDS, MS, clinical professor Department of Periodontics
The AAP Gold Medal Award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions and service to the Academy and understanding of the field of periodontology and the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases. It is the highest honor bestowed by the Academy.

Mealey has been actively involved with the AAP for over four decades. Read more about his award and involvement with the Academy.

AAP Clinical Research Award Georgios A. Kotsakis, DDS, MS, associate professor Department of Periodontics and director of the ITI Implantology Scholarship Center
The Clinical Research Award is the highest research award offered annually by the AAP to the most outstanding scientific published article with direct clinical relevance in periodontics.

Kotsakis received the award together with his co-authors for their paper, Human variation in gingival inflammation. Read more about Dr. Kotsakis and the study for this paper.

AAP Mark K. Setter Leadership in Periodontology and Dental Implantology Award Julia A. Shelbourn, DMD, resident Department of Periodontics
The Mark K. Setter Leadership in Periodontology and Dental Implantology Award recognizes a periodontal resident who exemplifies the leadership qualities that Setter lived and encouraged throughout his lifetime including leadership in the profession.

Shelbourn received the award in recognition of her hard work, dedication and leadership in periodontics. Learn more about Shelbourn and the award.

AAP Bud and Linda Tarrson Fellowship Lea El Hachem, DDS, MS, associate professor and director of the Pre-doctoral Division Department of Periodontics
The Tarrson Fellowship is awarded to periodontists pursuing academic careers and is given annually to one exceptional dental school faculty member specializing in periodontology education and research.

The selection committee was very impressed with ±á²¹³¦³ó±ð³¾â€™s credentials and experience as well as her commitment to academia. Hachem was drawn to academia early on and says that she has always been passionate about teaching. In 2021 she was elected vice chair of the American Academy of Periodontology’s Pre-doctoral Directors Organization.

Dr. James T. Mellonig Regeneration Research Award Jacob W. Zellner, DMD, MS
The Dr. James T. Mellonig Regeneration Research Award recognizes excellence in original research by a resident in periodontics that advances clinical therapies in periodontal regeneration. The scholarship was created through a gift from Jo M. Rummelhart, DDS, in honor of Mellonig and the National Naval Medical Center's Periodontics Residency Program in Bethesda, Maryland, which Rummelhart completed.

Zellner completed his periodontics residency at º£½ÇÂ×ÂÒ in May 2022, with Mealey serving as his mentor. Zellner now lives and works in Tallahassee, Florida.