ORLANDO, Fla., March 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lonnie H. Norris, D.M.D., M.P.H., received the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes significant contributions to education, research, and ADEA. Dr. Norris was presented with the award during the 2012 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition.
Dr. Norris has dedicated his career to teaching, research, and patient care. He earned his D.M.D degree from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Master of Public Health degree from the Harvard School of Public Health before completing a postgraduate residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Tufts University. He received his undergraduate degree from Fisk University with Phi Beta Kappa honors. Dr. Norris has been a faculty member at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine since 1980 and is a tenured professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery. He was appointed Interim Dean at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in July 1995 and Dean in February 1996. He retired as Dean in 2011 and was named Dean and Professor Emeritus.
He is a Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the International College of Dentists, the American College of Dentists, the American Academy of Dental Science, and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr. Norris is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and has been a member of its advisory committee as a board examiner.
He has served ADEA in numerous ways including as a Commissioner on the Commission on Dental Accreditation, as Chair of the ADEA Council of Deans, on the Board of Trustees for the ADEAGies Foundation, and as an advisor in the ADEA Leadership Institute.
Dr. Norris has been the recipient of numerous honors including the Distinguished Alumni Award from Harvard School of Dental Medicine and the Tufts University Provost's Medal. The Tufts University School of Dental Medicine Alumni Association presented him with an Alumni Achievement Award in 2010. Also, he has been recognized with a National Dental Association President Award.
"Dr. Norris has been a fantastic friend and a mentor to me and many other deans," says ADEA President, Dr. Leo E. Rouse, D.D.S. "I could always count on him to give me sage advice, an unselfish opinion, and a shoulder to lean on. And, when I missed the mark, he would say to me, 'You tried it. Don't be disappointed. Get out there and try again.'"
About the American Dental Education Association
The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is the voice of dental education. Its members include all U.S. and Canadian dental schools and many allied and postdoctoral dental education programs, corporations, faculty, and students. The mission of ADEA is to lead individuals and institutions of the dental education community to address contemporary issues influencing education, research, and the delivery of oral health care for the health of the public. ADEA's activities encompass a wide range of research, advocacy, faculty development, meetings, and communications like the esteemed Journal of Dental Education, as well as the dental school admissions services AADSAS, PASS, and CAAPID.
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