Dr. Seymour Melnick Honored at the AAE Annual Session in Seattle
Assistant Professor in the Department of Endodontics at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) Dr. Seymour Melnick was honored by the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) with the Part-Time Educator Award at the AAE Annual Session in Seattle, Washington which took place May 6–9, 2015. The award is presented annually to an AAE member with a minimum of 20 years of teaching history whose contributions have instilled a desire in his/her students to pursue excellence.
The AAE Annual Session brought together endodontists from around the globe to take part in several days of scientific, clinical and research presentations, continuing education courses, hands-on workshops, and looking at new products in the Exhibitors’ Hall. Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter and Director of the Advanced Specialty Program in Endodontics Dr. Sami Chogle also hosted a reception for GSDM Endodontic alumni. During the Annual Session, three GSDM alums were recognized for receivingcertification by the American Board of Endodontics. They were Christopher Dorr ENDO 06; Laila Kafi DMD 07, ENDO 12; and Michael Pauk DMD 10, ENDO 12.
Siraj Dakhil ENDO 15 received one of the top ten scores in the AAE/DENTSPLY Resident Award Contest for his oral presentation titled “Post-surface Pretreatment with Dimethyl Sulfoxide to Enhance the Interfacial Bond Strength Between Fiber Posts and Resin Cements.” He was awarded $1,000 and recognized at the Edgar D. Coolidge Awards Luncheon held on Saturday, May 9.
Prior to receiving his award, Dr. Melnick was honored at the alumni reception hosted by Dean Hutter and Dr. Chogle at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel on the evening of May 7. Approximately 100 alumni and their guests attended the reception. Dr. Chogle served as Master of Ceremony as several GSDM alums took to the podium to speak about the impact Dr. Melnick had made on them during their time as residents.
“Dr. Melnick’s class gave us a real world skill,” said Shari Bernadett ENDO 91. “He showed us the practical application of what we would be doing on a daily basis in our practices.” She went on to thank Dr. Melnick for his service to his students and patients and added, “hundreds of thousands of patients have benefitted from treatment by endodontists trained by Dr. Melnick at GSDM. It’s really quite a remarkable legacy for one man.”
Another former resident, Mark Desrosiers ENDO 06, said, “When you look back and think about the many years that Seymour volunteered it is overwhelming. The people in attendance, here tonight at this reception are testament to our appreciation.” Speaking directly to Dr. Melnick, he continued, “We all leave legacies. The many people here at this reception as well as the hundreds of other residents that you have touched throughout the years are part of your legacy in improving our profession. Thank you and congratulations for an honor well deserved.”
The other speakers were: Normand Aubre ENDO 87; Justin Aurbach ENDO 72; Howard Bittner ENDO 95; and Jason Conn DMD 10, ENDO 12.
Dean Hutter praised Dr. Melnick for his years of service and in recognition of his award presented him with a Gurgling Cod in the color of Nantucket Coral from Shreve, Crump, & Low on behalf of the School. Since its introduction in 1964, the Gurgling Cod has become a well-known symbol of Boston. “Dr. Melnick has spent his lifetime educating the future generations of endodontists. He is an asset to our School and is certainly deserving of this prestigious award,” he said. Endodontic Alumni Association President Marshall Michaelian ENDO 01 spoke about the impact Dr. Melnick has had on GSDM and presented him with a Boston University Captain’s Chair on behalf of the alumni. Dr. Melnick thanked everyone and announced to everyone’s pleasure that he has no plans to retire.
Dean Hutter said, “I also wish to extend my congratulations to Drs. Dorr, Kafi, and Pauk for receiving their board certifications, and to Dr. Dakhil for his excellent oral presentation. We certainly do have remarkable faculty, students, and alumni at the Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.”
The Part-Time Educator Award was presented to Dr. Melnick during the Edgar D. Coolidge Luncheon on Saturday, May 9. The award was presented by Chair of the Honors and Awards Committee Dr. Shepard S. Goldstein and President of the AAE Dr. Robert S. Roda. Dr. Melnick, who has served on the faculty of GSDM since 1967, was nominated for this award by Dr. Chogle with letters of support from several faculty members and former residents.