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TRIDENT PACIFIC ORTHODONTIC ALUMNI NEWSLETTER ARTH UR A. DU G ONI SC HOOL OF D E NT I ST RY

FALL 2026 EDITOR Katherine Kieu Jennifer Yau CONTRIBUTORS Nicole Nalchajian Heesoo Oh Naphtali Brezniak Jonah Bianchi Heeyon Suh Harrison Truman David Chenin Joseph Kolody Jetson Lee

COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORT Dr. Nicole Nalchajian

It’s been a busy year for the Orthodontic Alumni Association, and this fall brings plenty to look forward to, along with an opportunity for our alumni community to make a lasting impact on the next generation of residents.

Upcoming Events CE Lecture: “Journey and Evolution of Bracket Systems” — Dr. Mike Payne joins us Tuesday, November 3, at 6:00 PM. Looking further ahead, mark your calendars for the Dugoni Dental Symposium Jan. 29– 30, including the Fred West Lectureship, class reunions ending in 2 and 7 and the Gala; and Spark Social on April 9. Full details on all events will follow as dates approach.

A Challenge Worth Answering: The Pacific Orthodontic Class Challenge This past July, each incoming orthodontic resident received $17,500 in scholarship support — made possible entirely through the generosity of alumni, faculty and friends. With tuition now exceeding $130,000 per year (nearly $300,000 across our 27-month program) and shifting federal student-loan policy, that support matters more than ever for our residents and for our ability to recruit outstanding candidates. Over the past two years, the Classes of 2005 and 2006 each stepped up to pledge $50,000 over three years toward a Class Endowed Orthodontic Resident Scholarship. Thanks to the University’s Powell Match, each of those commitments is being matched dollar-for-dollar, turning a $50,000 class pledge into a $100,000 permanent endowment. Why now? The Powell Match is a limited resource, and it will not be available indefinitely. That gives our alumni a timely and impactful opportunity to double the impact of a qualifying gift.

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COMMITTEE CHAIR REPORT (CONT.) A $50,000 goal may sound like a lot for one class — but 2005 and 2006 showed that, when spread across classmates and a few years, it’s entirely achievable. And for younger alumni, gifts of any size to our existing scholarship endowments matter just as much. There’s no minimum to be part of this. This isn’t about which class gives the most — it’s about generations of Pacific orthodontists supporting the ones who come after. Is your class ready to start the conversation? Reach out to Nicole Nalchajian (n.nalchajian@gmail.com) or Dr. Oh (hoh@pacific.edu) — we’d love to help you get started, alongside Jim Dugoni (jdugoni@pacific.edu) and the University Development team.

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ORTHODONTIC CHAIR REPORT Dr. Heesoo Oh

Dear Orthodontic Family, Alumni, Friends and Colleagues, As we begin another academic year, I am pleased to share several exciting developments in our department.

Celebrating the Class of 2026 We proudly celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2026 on September 25. This exceptional class exceeded all expectations, producing high-quality master’s theses and clinical case reports while completing both the ABO written and clinical examinations before graduation. Their commitment to excellence continues a proud tradition within our department, and we look forward to seeing all that they will accomplish in the years ahead. Our Dental Sleep Medicine fellows also did outstanding work. We were especially delighted that Dr. Jocelyn Hor, who completed her fellowship in June and returned to Singapore, traveled back to San Francisco to celebrate this important occasion with us.

Strengthening Our Leadership Effective July 1, 2026, Dr. Jonas Bianchi assumed the role of program director of the Graduate Orthodontic Residency Program. Before becoming department chair in 2019, I had the privilege of serving as program director beginning in 2010. Since becoming chair, I have served in the dual roles of department chair and program director. Historically, these two leadership positions were held separately, and after careful consideration, I believe this is the right

time to return to that structure. Appointing a dedicated program director strengthens our leadership structure and provides additional support for the continued success of our residency program. Jonas brings tremendous energy, clinical expertise, and dedication to resident education, and I look forward to working closely with him in his new role. I will continue to serve as chair, with greater focus on advancing the department’s strategic priorities, including educational innovation, research growth, faculty development, alumni engagement and long-term planning.

Welcoming Dr. Andy Liu We are delighted to welcome Dr. Andy Liu as a new full-time faculty member and assistant clinic director as he joins us Oct. 19. Andy is a Dugoni School alum (Class of 2019) and completed his orthodontic residency at A.T. Still University in 2021. He is a board-certified orthodontist with a strong interest in cleft and craniofacial care. Andy’s clinical experience, commitment to teaching and familiarity with the Dugoni School’s culture will make him a wonderful addition to our department.

for her project, “Predicting Human Facial Growth: Building a Landmark Database and Clinically Applicable, Individualized Prediction Models,” in collaboration with Drs. Anahita Zarei, John Mayberry, and Heesoo Oh. Dr. Suh also received a renewed NIH Loan Repayment Program Award and the AAOF James A. McNamara Orthodontic Faculty Fellowship Award for her pilot randomized clinical trial comparing the Hyrax and Invisalign Palatal Expanders. We also congratulate Dr. Jonas Bianchi on receiving an AAOF Biomedical Research Award for his project, “ORTHO-NAV: AI-Powered Decision Navigator and Educational Platform for Orthodontic Treatment Planning.”

Faculty Research Recognition Our faculty continue to advance the department’s research mission and earn national recognition. Dr. Heeyeon Suh received a highly competitive four-year NIH R16 Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) Award

New AJODO Publications We are also proud to celebrate two new publications in the June issue of the AJODO. The first publication is the master’s thesis paper of Dr. Andrew Tai

TRIDENT PACIFIC ORTHODONTIC ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

ORTHODONTIC CHAIR REPORT (CONT.) ’25, examining the stability of transverse changes achieved with clear aligners and Hyrax expanders from the mixed to the permanent dentition. The second, “Craniofacial Growth Percentile Curves: A Clinical Tool from the Craniofacial Growth Consortium Study,” presents clinically applicable growth references developed through our longitudinal craniofacial growth research. These accomplishments reflect the continued growth of our scholarly program and the collaborative efforts of our faculty, residents, alumni and research partners.

Building Our Orthodontic Resident Endowed Scholarship Fund

participating. Gifts may be made individually or collectively and may be pledged over several years. As matching funds are limited, I encourage interested classes to begin the conversation while this special opportunity remains available.

Welcoming Our New Residents and Fellows Lastly, we welcomed our new class of orthodontic residents, the Class of 2028, whom you can meet through their photos and brief biographies in this issue. Our two new Dental Sleep Medicine fellows will join us in October.

Another important priority is building long-term financial support for our residents. The Classes of 2005 and 2006 have each established a class-based endowed resident scholarship, with their contributions eligible for the Powell Match. Their generosity has created a meaningful legacy and an inspiring example for other classes.

Our department continues to grow because of the people who believe in its mission—our residents, fellows, faculty, alumni and friends. Thank you for your continued engagement, generosity, and commitment to the future of the Department of Orthodontics. I look forward to sharing another year of progress with you.

We recognize that every class and every alumnus is at a different stage of life and practice. There is no single way or timeline for

Warmest regards, Heesoo Oh

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CONTINUING PACIFIC’S TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE: REFLECTIONS FROM A NEW PROGRAM DIRECTOR Dr. Jonah Bianchi Building on a Legacy Assuming the role of program director of the Graduate Orthodontics Program at University of the Pacific is both an honor and a responsibility. I am not launching a new program; I am becoming a steward of a tradition that reaches back to 1896. Orthodontic training has been part of our dental school since its founding, guided by department chairs Drs. Frank Pague, Walter Lewis, O. B. Burns, Elizabeth Richardson (the first woman in the nation to head an orthodontics department), Frederick T. West, Murray Groves and Arthur A. Dugoni. Dr. Dugoni played a pivotal role in establishing the Graduate Orthodontics Program, founded our mixed dentition clinic, and later served as dean for 28 years. The formal graduate program began in 1971 under Dr. Richard Rutter, who, at Dean Dale Redig’s request, assembled the “Original Ten” faculty from institutions across the country and welcomed the inaugural class that September. Subsequent leaders built on that foundation. Dr. Donald Poulton integrated contemporary research, interdisciplinary care, critical review of the literature, and early clinical digitization into resident education. Dr. Robert Boyd expanded multidisciplinary care, recruited Dr. Sheldon Baumrind to lead our Craniofacial Research Instrumentation Laboratory and helped establish Pacific as an early participant in threedimensional treatment simulation and clear-aligner research. Program directors, including Dr. Poulton and Dr. Heon Jae Cho, helped carry that work forward. These contributions

remind us that innovation is not a new identity for the Department of Orthodontics; it has long been part of who we are. That legacy continues under Dr. Heesoo Oh, who became chair of the Graduate Orthodontics Program in 2019, the first woman and first Pacific graduate to hold the role, after serving as program director. Under her leadership, we have launched a sleep clinic and dental sleep medicine fellowship, advanced a comprehensive digital workflow and expanded research funding, all while sustaining the culture of compassion and collaboration at the heart of this program. None of this would be possible without our faculty, adjunct and volunteer clinical instructors, alumni and staff. As I assume the program director role, I see my responsibility as helping write the next chapter of this history while preserving the principles that made the program strong.

My Vision: Integrate, Do Not Replace My vision is evolutionary rather than disruptive. Orthodontic education must remain grounded in diagnosis, biology, biomechanics, evidence-based care, professionalism and compassionate patient care. What is changing is the environment in which our residents will practice. Intraoral scanning, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), digital dental models, facial scanning, virtual treatment planning, 3D printing, remote monitoring, automated image analysis, large clinical datasets and artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly embedded in contemporary orthodontics. Our responsibility is not to pursue technology because it is new,

but to integrate it deliberately when it improves understanding, clinical decision-making, communication, efficiency or patient care. I do not view “digital orthodontics” as a separate discipline. Pacific’s transition toward digital care began decades ago and has progressively evolved from electronic clinical records to comprehensive digital workflows. Today, under the clinical leadership of Dr. Joorok Park, residents routinely encounter intraoral scanning, CBCT, facial scanning, virtual treatment setups and 3D printing. The next step is to connect these technologies within a coherent educational framework in which the clinical question always comes before the software.

The Resident at the Center The resident should remain at the center of this model. Technology should lead to asking better questions, not taking shortcuts around learning. Residents should first develop a diagnosis, treatment objectives and biomechanical strategy, and then use digital and computational tools to interrogate and refine those decisions. Authentic clinical cases — impacted

TRIDENT PACIFIC ORTHODONTIC ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

BIANCHI (CONT.) teeth, skeletal asymmetries, alveolar limitations, complex root positions, aligner treatment, skeletal anchorage, craniofacial care, and orthognathic surgery — become educational laboratories in which conventional records, three-dimensional data, scientific evidence, patient values and faculty experience are deliberately brought together. My goal is for our graduates to be digitally competent without becoming digitally dependent. They should understand how data is acquired, where errors can enter a workflow, how algorithms are validated and when additional technology does not provide clinically meaningful information. A resident should never justify a decision simply because “the software recommended it.” The resident must be able to explain why the recommendation is — or is not — consistent with anatomy, biology, biomechanics, evidence and the patient’s goals.

Artificial Intelligence and the Human-In-Command AI adds a new dimension to this responsibility. Residents are entering a profession in which automated imaging tools, treatment simulations, generative AI and algorithmdriven commercial platforms are becoming commonplace. Avoiding

these technologies is not a realistic educational strategy. Instead, we must teach AI literacy: how to verify outputs, recognize hallucinations and bias, protect patient information, understand limitations in training and external validation and distinguish an attractive prediction from evidence that a treatment will actually work. The principle I want our residents to carry forward is simple: the clinician remains Human-in-Command. AI can augment information and support decisions, but professional authority and accountability remain with the orthodontist. Our responsibility is not merely to teach residents how to use AI; it is to teach them how to question it. This principle reflects the American Association of Orthodontists position paper: “Responsible integration of artificial intelligence in clinical care,” which I had the privilege of co-authoring as part of the AAO Task Force on Artificial Intelligence in Orthodontics (doi:10.1016/j. ajodo.2026.04.008).

A Collaborative Faculty Culture This vision is inherently collaborative and builds on the culture established by those who came before us. It depends on Dr. Oh’s leadership as chair and on the complementary expertise of Dr. Joorok Park, clinic director;

Dr. Heeyeon Suh, research professor; Dr. Mark Vaughan, predoctoral orthodontics program director; Dr. Steve Dugoni, director of our mixed dentition clinic; and the many clinical and adjunct faculty, staff, alumni, and residents who contribute to the program. I hope to contribute my own work in 3D imaging and artificial intelligence to that shared effort. History shows that the program has always benefited from diverse faculty perspectives and strong collaboration. As program director, I see my role as connecting those strengths rather than defining the program around a single individual or technology.

Research as Part of Clinical Education Research has been part of Pacific’s graduate orthodontic education since the program’s earliest years, when residents were required to complete original thesis projects and were encouraged to publish their work. That tradition later grew through the development of the Craniofacial Research Instrumentation Laboratory (CRIL) and the contributions of faculty such as Dr. Sheldon Baumrind and many investigators who followed. Today, research offers our residents a way to evaluate the same technologies entering clinical practice. Digital imaging, automated measurements, machine learning, treatment outcomes and clinical decision-support should not simply be demonstrated in lectures; residents should have opportunities to ask whether these tools are accurate, reproducible, clinically meaningful and generalizable.

TRIDENT PACIFIC ORTHODONTIC ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

BIANCHI (CONT.) The Next Chapter Pacific’s strength has never come from a single technology, technique or leader. It has come from a humanistic culture of compassion, innovation, dedication, collaboration and community, built by the colleagues named here and by generations of residents who learned from one another and from their patients. That culture is what I most want to protect, and it is why I am confident we can embrace new technology without losing what makes the Dugoni School distinctive. Our residents are the clearest expression of that culture. They come to us from many backgrounds, continuing a tradition of diversity, and they care for patients ranging from children in our Wednesday mixed dentition clinic to adults with complex craniofacial and surgical needs. My

goal is for them to leave the Dugoni School with strong clinical foundations, confidence in their own reasoning, the ability to critically evaluate new evidence and tools, the humility to recognize uncertainty and the compassion to care for each patient. The strongest program will not be the one with the most digital platforms. It will be the one whose graduates understand why, when and how to use them — and when not to. I am fortunate to pursue this vision with a chair, faculty, staff and alumni who share it, and with residents who continually challenge us to improve. The next chapter should remain unmistakably Pacific and unmistakably Dugoni: clinically rigorous, compassionate, collaborative, curious and willing to innovate, now with the added responsibility of preparing our residents to lead in an increasingly digital and AIenabled profession. I look forward to writing it together.

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WHY I TEACH Dr. Heeyeon Suh Since 2023, I have been teaching in the mixed dentition clinic and in didactic courses, mainly board exam preparation and reviewing ABO articles. When I first began teaching, I was worried because I did not know the most efficient way to transfer knowledge to students and help them succeed. I wished I could pinpoint exactly what students needed to know for their exams, rather than spending so much time reading and discussing articles. Soon, I realized that each student had different strengths and brought different perspectives to class. The same article could be viewed differently, and they often asked questions I would not have thought of on my own. They also performed much better than I felt my teaching alone could explain. Once I realized this, teaching became more interesting to me. It was not a passive process determined only by what I could spoon-feed them, but a transformative process where students could achieve more than I could teach them directly. It was truly rewarding to see their progress and celebrate their achievements with them. Thinking about why I teach made me think of the faculty members who taught me during my residency. Beyond teaching me cephalometrics, biomechanics, and guiding me through my board exam, each of them led by example. They inspired me to stay curious, remain open to perspectives that challenge my own, reflect critically on my work as a clinician, and most importantly, have fun and be kind. What I learned from them has made me happier, both as an orthodontist and as a person. I hope to pass some of that on to our students, and I am grateful to have been part of their growth, just as my teachers have been part of mine.

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GRADUATING CLASS OF 2026

Dr. Tyler Starley My plans after graduation include working in private practice in the Bay Area with the eventual goal to own a practice in the East Bay.

Dr. Sophia Leila Carroll I am planning to work as an associate in my hometown: Carlsbad, CA!

Dr. Harrison Truman My wife and I will be moving to Las Vegas to work as an associate for my father who works in a private practice out there.

Orthodonti cs Gradua tionDin ner Friday,

Septem The Cit ber 25, y Club o 2026 f San Fra ncisco | 155 San some Str eet

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THIRD-YEAR REPORT Dr. Harrison Truman, Class of 2026

It has been a busy and rewarding year for our residency class! Since our last update, we have participated in a variety of professional, academic and educational experiences that have broadened our understanding of orthodontics and deepened our enthusiasm for the specialty. One highlight was attending the Angle Society, where we learned about some advanced orthodontic and orthognathic cases, gaining valuable insight from leaders in the field as we continue to refine our own clinical approach. We also had the meaningful experience of walking in our graduation in June, celebrating this milestone together as a class as we prepared to enter our final quarter of the program. It was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on how far we have come and to look ahead to the work still in front of us. More recently, we successfully defended our theses, presenting the research projects we have been developing over the past two years. This was an exciting opportunity to showcase the hard work, dedication and countless hours our class has invested in advancing orthodontic research, and to share our findings with faculty and colleagues. As we look toward the final stretch of our residency, we are focused on finishing up our clinical cases, preparing for program graduation and exploring the many career opportunities ahead. We are incredibly grateful for the experiences that have shaped our development as future orthodontists, and we are excited for what the future holds!

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SECOND-YEAR REPORT Class of 2027

The Class of 2027 has had an exciting and busy start to the year as we continue settling into the residency program. Over the past several months, we’ve been building our clinical skills, collaborating with faculty and coresidents and learning how to balance the many aspects of residency life. Clinic has kept us on our toes as we’ve continued to gain experience treating a wide range of cases, working together to problem-solve and support one another. Outside of the clinic, our class has also made time to enjoy the Bay Area and strengthen friendships through group dinners, coffee runs and the occasional post-clinic outing. We are grateful for the mentorship and support from our faculty and the upper-class residents, and we are excited for everything that the rest of the year will bring. We look forward to continuing to grow both clinically and personally as we move forward in the program.

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MEET THE CLASS OF 2028 Dr. Isha Aggarwal Isha Aggarwal grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and graduated from the University of Wisconsin– Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She earned her DMD degree at Boston University in 2026. Isha has always dreamed of becoming an orthodontist, and is thrilled to be pursuing that dream at the Dugoni School! In her free time, Isha enjoys trying new cafes/restaurants (and reviewing them on Yelp & Beli), pilates, long walks, cooking, and spending time with her friends and family.

Dr. Justin Chau Justin was born and raised in the Los Angeles area and earned his bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley in 2021. He went on to receive his DDS from the University of California, San Francisco, where he was active in the Orthodontics Club and contributed to research focused on the biology of orthodontic relapse. Outside of dentistry, Justin enjoys trying new recipes, watching NBA games, relaxing in Golden Gate Park, and spending time with friends and family. He is grateful to join the Dugoni Orthodontic Family and is excited to begin his orthodontic training at the University of the Pacific.

Dr. Vineet Khehra Vineet was born and raised in southern California. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology. She continued her education at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, earning her Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree in 2020. After serving the east bay community as a general dentist for six years while also participating in research at the CRIL lab at the Dugoni School, Vineet is honored and excited to return to the Dugoni School as an orthodontic resident. In her free time, Vineet enjoys teaching yoga, making small batch ice cream, and spending time with her loved ones.

Dr. Shaila Patel Shaila was born and raised in Orange County, California. She graduated from UC San Diego in 2022, earning her a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology. She went on to receive her DDS from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. During dental school, she was actively involved in orthodontic research, participating in projects focused on cleft lip and palate, artificial intelligence in craniofacial growth prediction, and airway analysis. In her free time, Shaila enjoys golfing, baking, and exploring San Francisco. She is excited to continue her education at the University of the Pacific and honored to join the Dugoni orthodontic family.

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MEET THE CLASS OF 2028 (CONT.) Dr. Rakesh Reddy Rakesh was born and raised in San Diego, California. He completed University of the Pacific’s accelerated 3+3 program, earning his bachelor of science in biological sciences before receiving his DDS from the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2026. During dental school, he pursued research in artificial intelligence, digital dentistry, and salivary biomarkers. Rakesh is excited to continue at the Dugoni School as an orthodontic resident and extend his stay in San Francisco. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, exercising, exploring new restaurants, and following the San Diego Padres.

Dr. Ida Shaffer Ida grew up in Salinas, CA, and completed her DDS/PhD at UCSF, where her research focused on how early life adversity affects tooth development. She loves orthodontics for its perfect mix of art and science, and for the long-term relationships that are built with patients. Outside of the clinic and lab, her time is centered around her newest family member, her nine-month old son! On the weekends, they are usually outside for walks along Bayshore, hanging out at a park, or visiting the California Academy of Sciences. Ida is very excited and grateful to be here, and she will gladly show you a few dozen photos of her baby!

Dr. Pooja Shah Pooja grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, and earned a BA in accounting from Rhodes College before earning her DDS from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry, where she served as ASDA president. After dental school, she completed a fellowship in the Special Health Care Needs and Hospital Dentistry program at Texas A&M. A first-generation dentist, she feels incredibly lucky to have had the support her my family, mentors and friends throughout her journey. Outside of dentistry, she loves traveling, needlepointing, and hot pilates. She is excited for this next adventure with her fiancé Jordan and their pup Ollie Bear.

Dr. Tyler West Tyler grew up in Medford, Oregon, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from Brigham Young University before receiving his DDS degree from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. Growing up in a family of dentists with a father who is an orthodontist, Tyler developed a passion for orthodontics at a young age and has pursued that dream ever since. Outside of dentistry, Tyler enjoys surfing, golfing, and snowboarding. He and his wife have three children: two boys and one girl. He is honored to continue his education at the University of the Pacific and is excited to begin his orthodontic residency.

Dr. Jonelle Chrichton Starting October 2026

Dr. Alya Al Najjar Starting October 2026

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KEEPING IN TOUCH Joseph Kolody ’06 It’s hard to believe 20 years have passed since graduation. In 2006, I joined a retiring orthodontist’s practice in Turlock, California, as an associate. I purchased the practice within a year and quickly learned that becoming a business owner brought a whole new set of lessons alongside orthodontics. One of the most rewarding parts of these 20 years has been seeing former patients return with their own children. The practice has grown over the years, and we’re now in the midst of a full remodel of the office to make room for its next chapter. Life outside the office is just as full. I’ll finish my term as president of the Stanislaus Dental Society in December. My wife, Jenny, has been incredibly supportive through all of it, and we have two wonderful children, Sawyer (15) and Meredith (12). I’ve passed my love of dance onto Meredith. I’m a proud dance dad who enjoys picking her up from the studio and cheering her on at competitions and recitals. I’ve even joined her onstage a few times for a father-daughter dance during recital week. I’m also a lifelong Star Wars fan and collector. Recently, our family hosted a daylong open house as part of an international collectors’ event, welcoming fellow fans from as far away as Mexico, Canada and Sweden. When I’m not at the office or a dance event, you can usually find me at the gym, walking our beloved schnoodle Westley or planning our next trip. Sophie, Ava, Hadley, David and Melissa

David Chenin ’06 I have three daughters: Sophie is in 6th grade, Hadley is a junior in high school and Ava is a junior at Colorado State University as a pre-dental student. I was honored at the recent Invisalign Summit for having treated over 7,000 lifetime cases. My wife Melissa and I recently celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary.

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KEEPING IN TOUCH (CONT.) Naphtali Brezniak ’86 Since graduating from the University of the Pacific orthodontic program in 1986, I have followed a long and rewarding professional journey. I returned to Israel, where I headed the orthodontic department and later the orthodontic residency program in the Israel Defense Forces, while also maintaining a private orthodontic practice for more than three and a half decades. Along the way, I remained deeply involved in teaching, research, writing and professional activities, with particular interests in orthodontic biomechanics, root resorption, dental trauma, and more recently, in-depth clear aligner treatment (the physics of the CA). I retired from clinical practice in 2023, but apparently never learned how to actually retire. I am still actively writing and publishing (just realized that the AJODO accepted another one of my letters to the editor), and I have a blog on an Israeli website, beyond developing new ideas in orthodontic biomechanics, collaborating with colleagues, and remaining involved in the profession that has occupied such a large part of my life. Outside orthodontics, I have also written five books. Two of them have been translated into English and are available on Amazon. I have also been involved in several inventions and patents, and mountain biking has been a passion of mine for many years. On the personal side, I am the proud father of two daughters, Sivan and Tamar, and grandfather of three wonderful grandchildren. I share my life with my partner, Dr. Agate Krausz, a sociologist with a PhD in the sociology of science and technology. It’s amazing to realize that forty years have passed since our days at Pacific. Looking back, they have been busy, surprising, and very good years.

Jetson Lee ’86 Wow, I can’t believe it’s been 40 years since finishing residency! After practicing for 34 years, I sold my practice in 2020 just before the pandemic hit, but continued teaching mixed dentition. Retiring from teaching when the Class of 2023 graduated, I went on a three-week deployment with the Red Cross to assist in relief efforts for the people of Maui after the devastating Lahaina fires: my wife and I were actually in Lahaina two days before the fires and were still on the island. When I returned, Dr. Oh asked me to return to contribute to seminars; so I am back, just not every Wednesday. I still keep in touch and visit most of my co-residents. Getting together with some of my old instructors as well as some of the recent graduates keeps me connected to all eras of the program. Interviewing applicants to our dental school as well as applicants to our orthodontic program keeps me busy; my involvement with the school continues. On a personal level, my wife and I travel frequently and return to Maui and Oahu as often as we can. I still volunteer with the Red Cross (logging in over 600 hours this year). My eldest daughter, Samantha, graduated from Pacific’s Pharmacy program in 2017 and got married last year. My youngest daughter, Danielle, graduated from St. Mary’s College of California and worked in human resources for a non-profit in Sacramento for four years before moving back to the Bay Area and

TRIDENT PACIFIC ORTHODONTIC ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

KEEPING IN TOUCH (CONT.) taking a job in HR at the dental school. She has been here almost three years and now truly understands why the people make the Dugoni School such a special place. I am happy that my family is so connected to the school. I recently expressed to the first-year residents that they could not have made a better choice for a program, not only because of the curriculum and the faculty, but also because of the people and connections they will make and cherish for the rest of their lives. My wife thought it would be a good idea to get some of our retired friends from Pacific join us for my birthday last year during the PCSO in Honolulu (before we stop going to the meetings).