Ceremony recognizes exemplary contributions to the oral and maxillofacial surgery specialty
ROSEMONT, Ill. – The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) celebrated the achievements of more than 30 individuals at the association’s 107th Annual Meeting, Scientific Sessions and Exhibition in Washington, D.C.
The honored recipients – including oral and maxillofacial surgeons, researchers, educators, residents and public officials – were recognized during the Opening Ceremony, Awards Presentation and Meeting Dedication Sept. 17 for their exceptional contributions to the oral and maxillofacial surgery specialty in areas ranging from education and research to humanitarian outreach and legislative advocacy.
AAOMS dedicated its 2025 Annual Meeting to Robert E. Marx, DDS, FACS, of Pinecrest, Fla., honoring his groundbreaking innovations that have shaped modern oral and maxillofacial surgery. A respected clinician, researcher and educator, Dr. Marx is internationally recognized for introducing platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to enhance healing and for helping pioneer bone regeneration techniques used in facial reconstruction. His work was instrumental in the FDA approval of a key bone growth protein, and he developed widely used therapies to improve recovery after radiation treatment. Dr. Marx also was the first to identify and report what is now known as medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw – a significant advancement in patient safety.
Edward Ellis III, DDS, MS, FACS, of San Antonio, Texas, received the prestigious Robert V. Walker Distinguished Service Award for his decades of leadership in oral and maxillofacial surgery. A renowned educator and researcher, Dr. Ellis has authored hundreds of scientific publications and textbook chapters that have shaped how surgeons treat facial trauma and jaw deformities. He has served on editorial boards for major surgical journals and led national boards and committees focused on advancing clinical care and surgical education. His research has improved outcomes in jaw surgery and facial fracture treatment, earning him numerous accolades throughout his distinguished career.
Other 2025 award winners are (in alphabetical order by award):
Board of Trustees Citation Award – Daisy Chemaly, DMD, MDent, FRCD(C), of Toronto, Canada; Raymon P. Grewal, DDS, of Vancouver, Canada; and the National Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Clinical Research Award – Janice S. Lee, DDS, MD, MS, FACS, of Bethesda, Md.
Committee Person of the Year Award – Jasjit K. Dillon, DDS, MBBS, FDSRCS, FACS, of Bellevue, Wash.
Daniel M. Laskin Award for an Outstanding Predoctoral Educator – Louis Mandel, DDS, of New York, N.Y.
Distinguished Service Award for Non-OMSs – Mark D. Peterson, of Chicago, Ill.
Donald B. Osbon Award for an Outstanding Educator – George M. Kushner, DMD, MD, FACS, Louisville, Ky.
Faculty Educator Development Award (FEDA) – Felix J. Amarista, DDS, of San Antonio, Texas; Benjamin T. Barbetta, DMD, MD, of Troy, Mich.; Suzanne N. Barnes, DMD, FACS, of Louisville, Ky.; Akshay Govind, DMD, MD, MPH, FACS, of Oakland, Calif.; and Jeffrey T. Hajibandeh, DDS, MD, FACS, of Boston, Mass.
Humanitarian Award for Fellows and Members – Christensen S. Hsu, DDS, of Oceanside, Calif., and Tania C. Nkungula, DDS, of Largo, Md.
Humanitarian Award for Residents – Talal B. Beidas, DDS, of Houston, Texas
John F. Freihaut Political Activist Award – Warren W. Arrasmith, DMD, of Birmingham, Ala.
Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award – U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, MD (D-Wash.) and U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, DMD (R-N.J.)
Presidential Achievement Award – Brent B. Ward, DDS, MD, FACS, of Ann Arbor, Mich.
Resident Scientific Award – Sierra van den Dries, DMD, of Philadelphia, Pa., and Reid Boulet, DDS, of Toronto, Canada
Special Honorary Fellowships – Raymon P. Grewal, DDS, of Vancouver, Canada, President, Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons; Nicholas Kalavrezos, MD, FRCS, FFD, of London, United Kingdom, President, European Association for Cranio Maxillo Facial Surgery; and Patrick Magennis, FRCSI (OMFS), FDS RCS, FFD RCSI, FEACL, of London, United Kingdom, President, British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
William J. Gies Foundation Award – Mark E. Wong, DDS, FACS, of Houston, Texas.
The OMS Foundation awards also were presented. In alliance with AAOMS, the Foundation strives to enhance patient care quality and safety through advancing innovation in OMS research and education. Award winners include:
Gerald E. Hanson Outstanding Service Award – Roderick W. Lewin, DMD, of Ashburnham, Mass.
Dr. David Stanton Resident Research Award – “Is the Use of Dexmedetomidine Upon Emergence From Anesthesia Associated With Neck Hematoma Formation Following Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction?” Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, by John M. Le, DDS, MD, of Hoover, Ala.
Daniel M. Laskin Award – “Does the Use of Botulinum Toxin in Treatment of Myofascial Pain Disorder of the Masseters and Temporalis Muscles Reduce Pain, Improve Function, or Enhance Quality of Life?” Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, by Ashley N. Houle, DDS, MD, of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Owen S. Insel, DMD, of New York, N.Y.; Michael Miloro, DMD, MD, FACS, of Chicago, Ill.; Gwendolyn S. Reeve, DMD, FACS, of Fairfield, Conn.; and Charlene Thomas, MS, of New York, N.Y.
Research Recognition Award – R. Bryan Bell, DDS, MD, FRCS(Ed), FACS, of Portland, Ore.
Torch Award – Thomas P. Williams, DDS, MD, FACS, of Dubuque, Iowa
The AAOMS Annual Meeting – being held this year in conjunction with the Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons – is the largest global gathering of oral and maxillofacial surgeons, offering clinical sessions, hands-on training, exhibits and networking opportunities focused on advancing patient care and professional excellence.
About AAOMS
The experts in face, mouth and jaw surgery® — The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) is the professional organization representing more than 11,000 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, OMS residents and OMS professional staff in the United States. AAOMS supports its fellows’ and members’ ability to practice their specialty through education, research and advocacy. AAOMS fellows and members comply with rigorous continuing education requirements and submit to periodic office anesthesia evaluations. Learn more at AAOMS.org and MyOMS.org.
