2022 Award Honorees

ADEAGies Foundation® Announces Recipients of the William J. Gies Awards for Vision, Innovation and Achievement in Academic Dentistry and Oral Health


The William J. Gies Awards for Vision, Innovation and Achievement will be on hiatus in 2023 as we help celebrate ADEA's centennial year.

Please check back here for future announcements.



2022 Honorees

The honorees were selected by a distinguished panel of judges consisting of the ADEAGies Foundation Advisory Committee. 

The 2022 Gies Award recipients are:


 VISION  
Vision icon
DENTAL EDUCATOR

Patricia Blanton, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Gies Award for Vision – Dental Educator
Patricia Blanton

Dr. Blanton has educated generations of dentists for five decades. She is being honored for her numerous accomplishments, including various professional posts and appointments; her efforts to innovate dental education; and her advocacy for women leadership opportunities and progressive learning environments.



ACADEMIC DENTAL INSTITUTION
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine 
Gies Award for Vision – Academic Dental Institution
Rutgers logo-200

RSDM is being recognized for its leadership in helping the dental community understand, respect and serve the LGBTQ population. The school created a schoolwide climate where LGBTQ members feel a sense of security and belonging and has worked to educate the dental community about LGBTQ issues, including health equity.


PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PARTNER
No awardees selected.
Gies Award for Vision – Public or Private Partner
 INNOVATION  
Innovation icon 
DENTAL EDUCATOR

Sylvia Frazier-Bowers, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Gies Award for Innovation – Dental Educator
Sylvia Frazier-Bowers

The Dental and Oral Health Community Scholars Program, founded by Dr. Frazier-Bowers, addresses the intersection of didactic instruction and barriers to health care and provides an innovative learning environment focused on cultural enrichment.


ACADEMIC DENTAL INSTITUTION
No awardees selected.
Gies Award for Innovation – Academic Dental Institution

PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PARTNER
No awardees selected.
Gies Award for Innovation – Public or Private Partner
 ACHIEVEMENT  
Achievement icon 
DENTAL EDUCATOR

Leo Rouse, D.D.S. 
Gies Award for Achievement – Dental Educator
Leo Rouse

Dr. Rouse is being recognized for a career marked by service in the military, dental education and several professional organizations. He is a role model for lifelong dedication and has mentored countless dental educators and leaders, including many dental school deans.


ACADEMIC DENTAL INSTITUTION
The University of Iowa College of Dentistry & Dental Clinics
Gies Award for Achievement – Academic Dental Institution
iowa logo-200

UI COD has developed a combination of programs in Geriatric Dentistry that are unique in scope and longevity. This leadership role includes student experiences in patient care, an advanced graduate program, a mobile unit delivering care in nursing homes, peer-reviewed learning models and inclusion of personnel in health care educational programs to enhance interprofessional collaborative practice.


PUBLIC OR PRIVATE PARTNER
AAO Foundation 

Gies Award for Achievement – Public or Private Partner

aaof-200

AAOF has funded over $14.6 million of its grant applications, many of which resulted in significant publications that led to National Intitutes of Health funding and support of orthodontic residents with access to the Rapid Assessment of Evidence panel.

Jessica A. Rickert, D.D.S.
Gies Award for Achievement – Public or Private Partner

Jessica Rickert

As the first female American Indian dentist in the United States, Dr. Rickert has devoted her career to improving access to care and tirelessly advocating for health and science careers for American Indians/Alaskan Natives.