As we welcome the spring season, I am excited to share an update on the activities and progress of our alumni chapter. It has been an incredible few months filled with meaningful connections, professional growth, and shared accomplishments within our orthodontic community.
Recent Highlights: This past fall, we celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2024 and our first dental sleep medicine fellow. The day was spent learning about maxillary expansion with Dr. Lagravere Vich at the graduation symposium, followed by a beautiful dinner and program celebrating the accomplishments of the residents. Thank you to all who attended and made it such a memorable occasion! Please join us in welcoming into our alumni association ortho graduates Drs. Seung Ah Jung, Kirsten Lo, Esha Patel, Jeffrey Roseth, Yash Sharma, Jonathan Starley, Andre Tran and Ava Vakili, and dental sleep medicine fellow Maryam Arab.
Additionally, Dr. Nina Stevens (Class of 2023) and her husband hosted our orthodontic alumni at their beautiful home in Palm Springs during the WOCON. What a wonderful time to connect with our fellow grads. Thank you Nina!
Our 39th Annual Frederick T. West Orthodontic Lectureship was held in conjunction with the school’s 126th Annual Alumni Meeting on January 31st at the Fairmont Hotel. We enjoyed a lecture from John Morton from Invisalign® about biomechanics and biomaterials. Our own Dr. Jonas Bianchi followed with a lecture on AI in orthodontics. Following the lectures, we were able to enjoy some refreshments together at our own orthodontic alumni reception. The enthusiastic participation and insightful discussions reaffirmed our collective dedication to lifelong learning.
COMMITTEE CHAIR’S REPORT (CONT.)
Just one week after the Fred West Lectureship, we came back together at the dental school for an amazing learning opportunity that Dr. Joorok Park organized. We had a wonderful day of learning about how Graphy is transforming clear aligner therapy, focusing on shape memory aligners. Dr. Park was even able to arrange for the first 20 alums to enjoy free registration! Thank you, Dr. Park!
Looking ahead: Our next quarterly CE offering will be a course given by Dr. Audrey Yoon regarding MARPE. Stay tuned for the date and time.
Get Involved: Our alumni chapter thrives because of your involvement and support. Whether you attend events,
volunteer, or share your achievements, every contribution strengthens our vibrant community. If you have suggestions, updates, or ideas, don’t hesitate to reach out to me.
On behalf of the entire committee, thank you for your continued commitment to our alumni chapter and the orthodontic profession. Together, we are shaping the future of orthodontics while honoring our proud legacy.
Best regards,
Nicole Nalchajian, Class of 1999
ORTHODONTIC CHAIR REPORT
Dr. Heesoo Oh
Dear Orthodontic Family, Alumni, Friends, and Colleagues:
Spring is here! I hope everyone has had a great start to 2025.
Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Achievements
Last year was filled with outstanding milestones for our graduates, residents and dedicated faculty. The graduation of the Class of 2024, our 51st class, marked an important moment in our program’s history as we entered our next half-century of excellence.
A major change in the ABO clinical exam schedule—now offered only once a year in September—presented a unique opportunity for our residents. The ABO allowed candidates to take the exam before graduation if it was scheduled within one month prior, contingent on receiving their orthodontic certificate. To support this, we adjusted the academic schedule and moved the thesis defense to three weeks earlier. As a result, seven graduates from the Class of 2024 became board-certified orthodontists!
Our graduates also made remarkable contributions to research. Four residents submitted their theses to peer-reviewed
orthodontic journals, with Jeff Roseth’s thesis already published in the Angle Orthodontist.
Class of 2025’s Activities and Preparation for the ABO Written Exam
Our second-year Class of 2025 residents have enjoyed several memorable events leading up to their graduation. Asilomar Weekend was a highlight, offering them a chance to unwind along the beautiful Pacific Coast, enjoy the scenic weather, and bond over a live karaoke night.
Last weekend, our school hosted the Kids in the Klinic fundraising event, dinner, and auction—a remarkable success. We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated and generous faculty Drs. Robert Boyd, Audrey Yoon and Steve Dugoni, who sponsored tables to invite faculty and secondyear residents. Thanks to the generosity of attendees and supporters, the event raised an astounding $1 million. This fund will help provide dental care for underserved children,
including supporting orthodontic treatment for those in need. Our residents were truly inspired by the impact of this incredible initiative.
Under the guidance of Dr. Heeyeon Suh, they are now diligently preparing for the ABO written exam on April 9. Their hard work and dedication to academic excellence continue to strengthen the reputation and legacy of our program.
New Technology & Clinical Research In Our Clinic
Innovation remains a key focus. Under Dr. Joorok Park’s leadership, we implemented new technology and expanded clinical research including:
• in collaboration with Graphy, Dr. Park led a CE course on the 3D direct-printed clear aligner system for alumni, faculty, and residents in February. Additionally, the Graphy 3D direct-printed clear aligner system has been successfully integrated into our clinical workflow.
ORTHODONTIC CHAIR REPORT (CONT.)
• Facial scanning using RayFace and rhinomanometry has been incorporated into clinical research to measure nasal resistance before and after maxillary expansion.
• Drs. Heeyeon Suh and Joorok Park led a randomized clinical trial (RCT) to evaluate the effectiveness of the Invisalign® Palatal Expander (IPE) compared to the fixed Hyrax expander in mixed and early permanent dentition patients.
• Under the guidance of Dr. Jonas Bianchi, a randomized clinical trial (RCT) on the effectiveness of the Dental Pain Eraser (DPE) device is currently being conducted by our second-year resident, Greg Pavlos.
Faculty Research & Grants
We are also thrilled to share that Dr. Jonas Bianchi has received another five-year renewal of his NIH-R01 grant on TMJ research as a co-investigator in collaboration with Dr. Lucia Cevidanes at the University of Michigan. This recognition underscores the high-caliber research within our department.
Exciting News for the Dugoni School: New Surgery Center
I am thrilled to share that our school has been awarded a $5 million grant from the California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA) to expand access to care for patients with special healthcare needs. This grant will support the establishment of an ambulatory surgery center at our school.
Dr. Dave Lam, Chair of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department, is leading this transformative initiative, which is set to be completed within 18 months. In addition to the new surgery center, this project includes the development of new oral surgery and pediatric residency programs. This significant addition will greatly enhance our orthodontic residency training by fostering expanded multidisciplinary learning and collaboration opportunities. It will also elevate our ability to provide comprehensive patient care, further positioning our program at the forefront of specialty training in dentistry.
School Leadership Changes
As many of you are aware, our school is undergoing a leadership transition following Dean Nadershahi’s resignation earlier this year. His decision was not made lightly and stemmed from fundamental differences between his vision for the Dugoni School and the priorities of the University’s leadership. While this marks a significant shift, I want to reassure you that our orthodontic department remains strong and continues to thrive. We are committed to advancing orthodontic education, research, and patient care while upholding the Dugoni School’s core values. Our faculty and residents remain engaged in innovative research, interdisciplinary collaboratio, and clinical excellence, ensuring that we maintain the high standards that our alumni and profession expect.
Your continued support, engagement, and mentorship are invaluable as we navigate these changes together. I encourage you to stay connected and involved—we are stronger as a community, and your contributions help shape the future of our program.
Wishing you all a wonderful spring!
Warmest regards,
Heesoo Oh
Fred West Symposium Speakers
Friendsgiving
Graphy Workshop
Dugoni School Holiday Party
WHY WE GIVE TO THE SCHOOL
“It isn’t until you actually become generous that you can say that giving isimportant to you. Once you do, you’ll find that it begins to define you more profoundly than you previously thought possible” – The Daily Buddha
It is important to me to contribute to the Dugoni School of Dentistry, particularly to the orthodontic program. I appreciate being a part of the family of alumni, faculty and staff working to ensure that residents continue to receive a world-class education and experience.
I graduated nearly 35 years ago from the old Pacific Heights location. My education exceeded my expectations in every imaginable way. I was blessed to have been mentored by some of the giants in our profession. Especially since then-dean Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni was present and involved in our journey.
Dr. Brian Grey
I have donated twice to the campaign centered on the move to the current SOMA campus. It always gives me a smile when I introduce myself to the resident treating patients in the unit that bears my name. The second donation to that campaign was completed with three other remaining members of our 1991 class. We honored our late classmate Steven Markowitz by naming the clinic director’s office in his memory.
In consideration of the cost of orthodontic education, my donations in recent years have been towards two endowments to offset education costs. The Endowment for Orthodontic Resident Success provides funds to pay for educational opportunities for residents that are not covered by tuition. I am also funding an endowment to provide direct scholarships to each of the residents.
Dr. Gregory Wadden
A few years ago, I was invited to join the Dugoni School Foundation. As board members, we work with the Dean and act as ambassadors for the school. Our goal is to influence other alumni and friends to make the Dugoni School a priority in their personal philanthropic and volunteer objectives. I think it is incredibly important to show our gratitude and to help students along the way.
The cost of dental education can be a barrier. As a private school, it is particularly important to lessen the financial burden to attract the best students. I encourage all of us to donate to scholarship endowments and to contribute to continuing the legacy of excellence at the Dugoni School.
If I am asked why I donate to the school, I simply say that it makes me feel good!
I contribute to the Dugoni School because I feel a responsibility to give back, in part, for the support I received from the previous generation. I was fortunate to learn from dedicated faculty, most of whom were volunteers, including Drs. Boero, Douglas, Dugoni, Hatasaka, Humphreys, Nichols, Odom, Roberts, Rutter, Scott, Tacy and Walters. These individuals invested countless hours to teach me the fundamentals of orthodontics. Additionally, I had the benefit of a reasonably priced tuition.
I consider myself incredibly lucky to be in a profession that I am passionate about, one that I looked forward to every day. This career has brought me immense joy, and as a rewarding bonus, it has also provided me with a comfortable standard of living.
I strive to honor the time and effort those exceptional faculty members devoted to me by passing on their knowledge to the current generation of students.
A significant concern these days is the growing burden of tuition costs. While I have contributed to the school over the years, my current focus is on easing the financial strain on future students. Dr. Art Dugoni’s vision was to make tuition free for upcoming generations, and there are now endowments named after Drs. Aubert, Boyd, Dugoni and Rutter. I invite you to join me in making a meaningful donation to support the endowment fund.
SECOND-YEAR REPORT
Dr. Ila Sayed and Dr. Sharon Su, Class of 2025
It has been quite an eventful year for the Class of 2025! We have had an enriching time since the last report, engaging in numerous professional and educational opportunities that have expanded our knowledge and strengthened our passion in the field. We had the privilege of attending the World Dentofacial Sleep Society Meeting in San Francisco, where we delved deeper into the field of sleep medicine alongside our sleep fellow, Dr. Kim. This meeting provided valuable insights into the intersection of orthodontics and sleepdisordered breathing, reinforcing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in patient care.
Our journey continued with the 2024 WOCON Annual Session in Palm Springs, where we enjoyed the warmth and sunshine while attending insightful lectures from renowned speakers, such as Dr. Stuart Frost who presented The Gummy Smile Dilemma: What are You Going to Do About It and How are You Going to Treat It?. Another highlight was the Annual Fred West Alumni Meeting, where we had the privilege of attending an in-depth lecture on clear aligner mechanics by John Morton. His expertise shed light on the nuances of aligner treatment and provided valuable insights that will undoubtedly enhance our clinical practice. Additionally, we attended our first Northern California Angle Society Meeting in Pleasanton. Engaging with such an accomplished group of orthodontists was both inspiring and motivating as we continue to refine our skills and knowledge.
More recently, we had the pleasure of attending the Asilomar Conference, where we celebrated the graduating classes of 2025. This event was not only a chance to honor our peers, but also an opportunity to enjoy quality time with faculty and co-residents in the beautiful coastal setting!
As we move forward in our training, we remain grateful for these incredible experiences that continue to shape our growth as future orthodontists. The past several months have reinforced our passion for the specialty, and we look forward to the opportunities ahead. Now, our focus shifts to furthering our research projects and preparing for our board exams!
FIRST-YEAR REPORT
By Dr. Mingi Park, Dr. Sophie DiPietro and Dr. Tyler Starley, Class of 2026
As the Class of 2026 inches towards our second year of residency, it’s hard to believe how fast the first year has flown by. It feels like just yesterday we were nervously meeting each other, adjusting to the demands of residency and trying to find our rhythm in the clinic. Looking back, it’s incredible to see how much we’ve grown—not just in skill and knowledge, but in confidence and camaraderie.
The past year has been a whirlwind of new experiences, challenges and small victories that reminded us of how fortunate we are to have chosen this field. From making our first patient presentations, to presenting a treatment plan, to late-night studying for Dr. Oh’s biomechanics course, every step has shaped us into stronger clinicians. We started our training with Dr. Bianchi’s cephalometric course that helped us learn how to critically analyze images to diagnose and plan, as well as understand treatment effects through superimposition. That foundational knowledge, though daunting at first, has quickly become second nature as we apply it every Monday morning during Treatment Planning Seminars to learn from not only our cases, but cases treated by our upperclassmen and the residents before us.
Beyond the textbooks and lectures, the hands-on experiences were where everything truly started to click. Treating patients, managing both patients and parents alike, as well as applying our didactic knowledge chairside have been both humbling and exhilarating. We’ve learned that orthodontics isn’t just about moving teeth—it’s about problem-solving, creativity and truly understanding
each patient’s unique needs. Furthermore, taking progress photos every three months has helped us understand the effects of our treatment, identify deviations, and adapt to solve challenging problems with our clinical faculty.
This year has also been filled with memorable events that shaped our journey. Attending the August GORP conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan, was a fantastic opportunity to meet first-year residents from other residency programs across the country, attend lectures that exposed us to different schools of thought, and gain insight into the latest advancements in orthodontics. Completing the typodont course under the guidance of Drs. Chris Anderson, Kevin Shimizu and Kenneth Shimizu was another major milestone. Last semester, we were assigned our mentors and research to pursue various research projects. Additionally, we have braved our way through the first half of Dr. Oh’s biomechanics course, which laid the foundation for understanding force systems and tooth movement. In addition, some of us have started complex cases that involve placing custom MARPEs with the help of Dr. Yoon and Dr. Park. We are incredibly grateful for our faculty members who challenge us intellectually and clinically, while providing a safe and welcoming environment for growth and (inevitable) mistakes.
However, residency isn’t just about academics—it’s about building relationships and finding joy in the
FIRST-YEAR REPORT (CONT.)
journey. The friendships we’ve built, both within our class and with our upperclassmen, have been a source of support and laughter through the long days and occasional self-doubt. Hence, we also want to take a moment to recognize the Class of 2025 as they prepare for their final year. Their mentorship and encouragement have meant the world to us, and we know they’ll do amazing things as they take their next steps toward becoming board-certified orthodontists.
And, of course, a huge congratulations to Dr. Eugene Kim on completing our school’s sleep fellowship! His dedication and hard work are inspiring, and we’re so proud to celebrate this achievement with him.
As we transition into our second year, we’re excited to take on new challenges and responsibilities. We’re eager to learn from our experienced faculty, refine our clinical skills and guide the incoming Class of 2027 as they embark on this wild and rewarding journey. Their energy and fresh perspectives will undoubtedly bring new life to our program, and we can’t wait to welcome them into our orthodontic family.
Here’s to another year of growth, challenges, and unforgettable moments. Residency isn’t easy, but with the right people beside us, it’s an experience we wouldn’t trade for anything. Let’s make this next year even better than the last!
It is hard to believe that 30 years have gone by since my days on Webster Street. I was a general dentist in Guam for a few years before entering the dental school’s orthodontic program. Since I grew up in San Leandro, it was nice to be back near my hometown. Looking back, Drs. Poulton, Rutter, Boero, Covell, Lieber, Griffin, West, Aubert, Steve Dugoni, Art Dugoni, Boyd, Shimizu, Hatasaka, my fellow classmates of 1995, the Classes of 1994 and 1996, and many others made such a memorable impact on my life that I
KEEPING IN TOUCH
Class of 1995
Dr. Earl Sauget
am forever grateful! Dr.Ken Shimizu actually visited me in Guam and we went fishing back in 2006.
Shortly after residency, I went back to Guam and joined a great practice with a doctor who I knew very well and who had written some of my letters of recommendation for orthodontic school. I purchased the practice after two years of working together. The business manager had also left the practice, so I actually ended up hiring my girlfriend who at the time was managing two luxury boutiques in
Guam. After five great years of working together, we finally got married. Three beautiful daughters and 22 years of marriage later, we are still having fun working together.
Our eldest daughter, Kelly, is majoring in biomedical sciences at Marquette University and will be applying to dental school this next year. I recently had the chance (because of the reunion) to have her meet me in San Francisco to visit the Dugoni School of Dentistry and meet some fantastic people! Our middle daughter, Emily, is on a full scholarship
KEEPING IN TOUCH (CONT.)
Class of 1995 (Cont.)
at Fordham University in New York and is pre-law. She has always been very goal oriented and has her sights on Yale Law. Our youngest, Ava, is a junior in high school and has her mind set on becoming a pediatric dentist; she loves helping with little kids any time her school’s Pre-K teachers ask for help.
Raising three daughters in this part of the world has been absolutely wonderful. Travel has been a very important part of our lives; we love going to exotic places such as Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Bali, Myanmar (when it was open for tourism), as much as the metropolitan areas of Tokyo, Manila, Seoul and Sydney. Our island home of Guam has served as a great jumping off point for us to visit most of Asia and even travel to Europe via the Middle East.
As for orthodontics, I still find it more of a hobby than actual work. I think my wife, Shirley, has a lot to do with that as she allows me to focus on clinical care and not so much on HR. It is still fun to take the braces off or finish an Invisalign® case and see my patients out and about with big smiles! Being in Guam does have some restrictions due to its geographic location, but with digital tools, I have been able to work closely with Dr. Rob Relle at LACOMS—I can simply Dropbox CBCT DICOM and iTero STL files to him for our civilian orthognathic cases. Over the years, we have also worked closely with Navy oral and maxillofacial surgeons to serve active-duty military here in Guam for any orthognathic surgery needs.
So when and where is the next trip? School graduations, college visits, concerts…….always something and somewhere to go to!
Live Life Smiling!
KEEPING IN TOUCH
Class of 2015
Dr. Vanessa Chong
It’s hard to believe it’s already been 10 years! After graduating, I moved to New York City, where I worked in private practice before eventually returning home to Toronto. Since then, I’ve been working at an orthodontic clinic and a pediatric clinic. I’ve been fortunate to have a flexible schedule that has allowed me to travel often and explore amazing destinations around the world. Some of my most memorable trips include Australia, Bali, Italy, and Costa Rica.
Beyond celebrating a decade since graduating from residency, this year is shaping up to be busy and exciting! I recently purchased a practice in Toronto, and this summer, I’ll be getting married in Santorini. I’m looking forward to this exciting new chapter, both personally and professionally!
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KEEPING IN TOUCH (CONT.)
Class of 2015 (Cont.)
So much has changed in 10 years! After finishing residency, I pursued an amazing one-year fellowship at the Hansjörg Wyss Department of Plastic Surgery at NYU in craniofacial and special care orthodontics. Then, I returned to my hometown of Montreal to work as an associate in private practice and in craniofacial orthodontics at the Sainte-Justine Children’s Hospital, where I also instruct orthodontic residents.
My husband,Tanguy, graduated from his orthodontic residency at Tufts and is also my business partner. We got engaged in San Francisco while on vacation and have been married almost five years. We opened our first practice, Ortho NDG, from scratch in Montreal in 2020, and we opened a second practice, Ortho St-Jean, in a neighboring town in 2023.
In addition to our beloved English bulldog, we welcomed a baby girl in February 2024. It’s busy and challenging, but we look forward to more adventures to come!
KEEPING IN TOUCH (CONT.)
Class of 2015 (Cont.)
Dr. Lateefa Al-Kharafi
After practicing in an orthodontic practice for a while, I wanted to do more for the cleft and craniofacial community in Kuwait. So, I ended up completing a fellowship at UCSF. One of my proudest achievements has been establishing the country’s first multidisciplinary cleft clinic, which introduced centralization and standardization to cleft care. Additionally, I established Kuwait’s cleft craniofacial registry and published several articles in the field. I also took on a full-time faculty role at the Kuwaiti Board of Orthodontics, being part of a team that launched Kuwait’s first orthodontic residency program. These days, I work part-time in private practice, which has given me the opportunity to explore a wider range of treatment modalities and to keep my practice diverse.
On a personal level, I have two beautiful daughters. Zaina, who just turned nine, is a dedicated gymnast who has been training to compete internationally in just two months! Fay, my soon-to-be six-year-old, is funny and also incredibly talented, especially in math. She’s such a little character and brings so much laughter to our home!
Dr. Jennifer Yau
I cannot believe that it has already been 10 years since I was an orthodontic resident!
After graduation, I immediately started working in private practice; I was able to work full time in multiple associate positions in the Bay Area. It was fun interacting with different people every week, and I learned a lot in every office. I was also very fortunate and had the opportunity to come back to the Dugoni School to teach in the orthodontic department. Teaching the ABO course to the residents was a great way to keep up with orthodontic updates and information. However, I have to admit, it was not easy to teach such smart students!
In 2018, one of my mentors was looking to retire, so I transitioned into practice ownership. My practice is currently located near Los Gatos, California, and the experience has been challenging, fun and rewarding.
During this time, I also met and married my husband, Christopher. We have two beautiful children, Cody (two years old) and Kimberly (four months old). The kids have taken all our free time, but we love watching them grow. Cody loves to play with construction vehicles, while Kimberly loves to smile, laugh and talk to anyone who interacts with her. Since Cody was born, I have taken a prolonged break from teaching, but I hope to return one day! In the meantime, I am grateful to be a co-editor with the amazing Dr. Katherine Kieu for this biannual alumni newsletter. Thank you for reading!
