Dear Members of the Mid-Atlantic Society of Orthodontics,

I am honored to officially accept the position of President for the Mid-Atlantic Society of Orthodontics. I am deeply grateful for the trust and confidence you have placed in me and I look forward to serving our society with dignity, integrity and enthusiasm. When I think back on all the memories, I feel a deep sense of gratitude for the people who stood beside me and helped me grow.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our previous President, Dr. Sana Augustus. We are extremely fortunate for the time, energy and care you invested in strengthening our organization and supporting its members. Your contribution has helped shape the society's direction and will continue to benefit us for years to come. We extend our sincere appreciation and warmest thanks for all you have accomplished. I would also like to congratulate Dr. Steve Siegel, our new President of the American Association of Orthodontics along with our new Trustee, Dr. Larry Wang.

MASO has always stood for excellence and forward-thinking leadership. As we continue to grow and pursue our mission, I am committed to upholding the values of our society and enduring that every member feels supported and well informed.

I am incredibly fortunate to share my life with my wonderful wife, Angela along with my three sons Joe, Nick and Dom.    I attended Temple Dental School and University of Pennsylvania for orthodontics. I was born, raised and started practicing with my dad over 34 years ago in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Working with him was one of the greatest gifts of my life. I was incredibly fortunate to learn from him, not just orthodontic skills, but the values, patience and strength that guided everything he did. If I can become even half the man and leader he is, I would consider that a tremendous success. His examples continue to inspire me every day. The tradition continues with my son, Nick. Not many people get the opportunity to continue to build a practice that spans three generations. There is no question in my mind that we are part of the greatest specialty, not only in dentistry, but in all of healthcare.

As a faculty member at Penn, I am especially committed to our orthodontic residents and our early graduates. Our society has the power to make a real difference in the lives of our students by giving them guidance, support, and a sense of belonging. Through mentorship, shared experience, and the wisdom passed down from members who have walked this path before, we can help these young doctors build confidence, develop their skills and discover their potential. By giving them these tools, we not only strengthen their future but also ensure the continued vitality and purpose of our society for generations to come.  To paraphrase my father, “the future of Orthodontics is as bright and vibrant as ever before and despite the many challenges in our profession it's still the best.”

I am excited to work closely with all of you in the year ahead. I'm confident we can achieve remarkable progress and further elevate the impact of our society. I would like to encourage our members to get involved, and create new friendships amongst your colleagues. Quite possibly, the best thing I achieved being a part of MASO, is the relationships that you forge with people who become part of your family. Over the years I have built endless relationships, each one leaving a lasting impression. These friendships and experiences have grown through the years and shaped who I am and strengthened my love for this society.

Thank you once more for this wonderful opportunity you have bestowed upon me.

With appreciation,

Dr. Paul Batastini