Message from the MASO President

This past summer I was having a conversation with a colleague and he asked me, what on the surface seemed like a simple question, "Why should I be a member of the AAO?"  The question resonated with me because I think it is an important one at this time in our specialty.    As a professional resource, you need only look at the AAO members' website to see all the products and services that are available to the membership.  But here's the catch, if push came to shove you could get any of these things from somewhere or someone else.  

Being a member of the AAO is not just a direct pipeline to professional products.  It is, and needs to be, much more.  It is the embodiment of the ideal.  It is the national identity of our specialty.  Though we may disagree at times on the delivery of the message, we all agree that the fundamental way to distinguish and protect ourselves now and in the future will be to provide the highest standard of orthodontic care.  Market forces from non-specialist lower pricing, to technology, to quick fix solutions cannot derail this.  I think anyone reading this believes he or she upholds this principal of competent, compassionate and ethical specialty care in their own practice.  However, one good doctor does not a specialty make.  But an association of 10,000 doctors whose number one purpose is to promote the highest standard of excellence in orthodontic education and practice, does.

That being said, every association has individuals who have stood out as exemplary figures of determination and commitment.  My sincerest congratulations goes to Dr. Henry DiLorenzo who will be receiving the 2014 Gerald A. Devlin Award.  He is a doctor who went beyond the four walls of his office to improve the care of his patients, the professional lives of his colleagues and the standing of his specialty.  He did so through holding important leadership positions at the state, regional and national level throughout his entire career.

Looking toward the future, our association's strength will continue to be its volunteer leadership.  This fall at our Annual Session,  MASO will stay true to this path by welcoming nine new leaders representing DE, MD, NJ, PA and PR and they will be Drs. Francis Picon, Sophia Usnami, Amanda Gallager-Whetzel, Richard Shin, Debbie Parnes, Richa Dutta, Kimberly Jones-Rudolph, Bruni Ortiz and Jose Vicens.  On behalf of the MASO Board and our members, I would like to thank them for their dedication to our specialty.

And last but not least, on behalf of the MASO Annual Session Planning Committee I wish to invite you to join your colleagues and friends at the 2014 Annual Session in Williamsburg, VA from October 17-20.  No orthodontist could ask for a better fall meeting with this year's perfect blend of pioneering lectures, unique recreational activities, and world class cuisine all within the picturesque setting of the Virginia countryside.  

Let us members of MASO revolutionize orthodontics together and stand firm in our commitment to the highest standards of orthodontic care as only specialists in the field can.