Greetings MASO members,

It is an honor to serve as your President. I am deeply grateful for the trust you’ve placed in me, and I look forward to building on the strong foundation laid by those who came before me.

I realize that I stand on the shoulders of giants, like Dave Harmon, MASO’s first Black president; Steve Seigel, our MASO trustee and future AAO President; and Jean Asmar, who, as MASO Past President, saw leadership potential in me and countless others. I’m especially mindful of the big shoes I must fill as I succeed our Immediate Past President, Omid Rajaei, who led with grace, precision, and a forward-thinking mindset.

I’d also like to thank the AAO leadership, my fellow MASO board members, our delegates, and our executive director, Jane Treiber, who works tirelessly to keep MASO running smoothly. Most importantly, I want to thank God for His many blessings and my family for their unwavering love and support, which makes my service to you possible.

For those who don’t know me, I’m from Silver Spring, Maryland—a wife, mother of two, and now a new practice owner after years of teaching at my alma mater, Howard University, and working as an associate. Throughout my journey, I’ve been mentored by exceptional women like Kathy Marshall, Marianne Siewe, Lobat Zainali and Gail Kirkland Briscoe—leaders who represent clinical excellence, intellectual brilliance, and a commitment to community.

As a former educator, I’ve had the privilege of teaching some of the brightest minds in our field. However, as any educator knows, you often learn just as much from your residents as they do from you. That shared learning experience has given me a unique perspective on how trends in our field emerge and evolve.

As MASO’s first Black female president, diverse perspectives are particularly important to me. And while trends come and go, some things should never be considered trends: kindness, empathy, wellness, environmental sustainability, evidence-based practice, community service and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

When it comes to trends, it’s easy to get excited about what’s new. Yet, what truly determines if a trend sticks or fades away is what’s behind it. Is it just a passing idea, or can it spark real, lasting change? Consider Uber, Airbnb, or MTV’s The Real World—what began as trends turned into movements that reshaped entire industries and society. In orthodontics, innovations like straight wire appliances, clear aligners, and passive self-ligation were once seen as trends but have since transformed the way we practice.

While trends can lead to progress, we should not lose sight of the value in what has come before. Bridging the gap between tradition and innovation is key. As we approach our 2025 Annual Session with the theme “Trending Topics in Orthodontics,” let’s critically assess these trends, approach them with curiosity, and ensure these new ideas can stand the test of time.

I encourage each of you to get involved. Whether big or small, your participation matters, and your voice is crucial in helping us continue to serve and grow. Remember to join us on March 7^th for the MASO Spring CE at the Marriott Bethesda Downtown and September 25-27 for the MASO Annual Session at the historic, Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.

Together, we can keep MASO moving forward for the benefit of us all.

Dr. Sana Pasha Augustus

President

Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists