Arlington Heights, Ill., March 1, 2018 – Five individuals were honored for achieving Fellowship status in the Academy of Osseointegration (AO) during the Opening Symposium at its 2018 Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, Calif. today.

Fellowship in the Academy is obtained by demonstrating a commitment to the field of osseointegration. Members must excel in both academics as well as service to the Academy.

The first recognized Fellow was Dr. Joan Pi Anfruns, an Assistant Clinical Professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry. A member of the Academy since 2006, Dr. Anfruns has chaired AO’s Young Clinician’s Committee and most recently served on the Academy’s Research Submissions Committee. He has co-authored 11 scientific articles, five textbook chapters and contributed to 49 research abstracts which were presented at AO’s Annual Meetings.

The second newly-elected Fellow was Dr. Joseph P. Fiorellini. He Is a periodontist who graduated cum laude from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Fiorellini joined the Academy in 1998 and is currently a member of our Board of Directors. He has chaired the AO – OF Research Grant Committee and served on AO’s Predoctoral Education Forum and Fellowship and Certificate Committee. An Associate Editor for the International Journal of Oral Maxillofacial Implants (JOMI), AO’s official journal, for the last seven years, Dr. Fiorellini has authored or co-authored more than 50 scientific articles.

Next to be honored was Dr. Earl G. Freymiller, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who graduated magna cum laude from Harvard School of Dental Medicine. Since joining the Academy in 2004, Dr. Freymiller has chaired AO’s William R. Laney Award Committee and served on the Fellowship and Certificate in Implant Dentistry Accreditation Committee. He has also presented numerous topics at AO meetings and co-authored at least 16 articles in various peer reviewed scientific journals.

The fourth Fellow was Dr. Robert A. Levine, a periodontist who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Since joining the Academy in 1986, Dr. Levine has presented numerous scientific lectures at its Annual Meetings and has served on AO’s Clinical Innovations Committee, Research Submission Committee and this year’s Annual Meeting Program Committee. Dr. Levine also serves on six editorial boards including JOMI and has authored at least 27 scientific articles and two textbook chapters.

The final new Fellow recognized was Dr. Christian Mertens, an associate professor and assistant medical director for Oral Surgery at the University of Heidelberg. A member of the Academy since 2011, Dr. Mertens has demonstrated his dedication and loyalty by serving on AO’s Website Education and Clinical Innovations committees. Dr. Levine has also presented numerous oral research and poster abstracts at AO meetings and authored at least 18 articles in JOMI and other scientific journals.

Reflecting the importance of science and service embodied in its founding principles, the Academy established a Fellow membership category to honor those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Academy of Osseointegration and implant dentistry in general. Criteria has been established to offer a careful balance of requirements that will ensure it is attainable by all members.

“While not a form of credentialing, the Academy of Osseointegration board of directors believes that attaining Fellowship of the Academy says more about our members than case presentations or examination of knowledge,” said AO president Dr. Michael Norton, who honored this year’s newly-elected Fellows. “It sets the standard for those who take their continuing professional education seriously, have a strong commitment to the field of implant dentistry and recognize the incredible value that volunteerism and philanthropy have to the profession.”