Gies Awards Recipients
The Gies Awards, named after dental education pioneer William J. Gies, Ph.D., honor ADEA members, institutions or public/private partners whose work represents the highest order of Innovation, Achievement or Vision and Leadership in oral health education.
From 2008 through 2022, three types of awardees—institutions, educators and public or private partners—were considered for each Gies Awards category (Achievement, Innovation and Vision). In 2023, the Board of Trustees decided to choose only one awardee per category. They also added two Junior Faculty awards starting in 2024.
2027 Award Honorees
ADEAGies Foundation® Honors Four Leaders With 2027 William J. Gies Awards
The honorees were selected by a distinguished panel of judges consisting of the ADEAGies Foundation Board of Trustees.
Innovation
Gies Award for Eminence in Innovation
Dr. Elisabeta Karl
Dr. Elisabeta Karl has advanced innovation in oral health education through competency-based learning, interdisciplinary teaching and humanistic approaches that strengthen student success, faculty development and patient care. As Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Marquette University School of Dentistry, she has led institution-wide initiatives in academic progression, early-alert systems, digital EPA assessment and curriculum redesign aligned with CODA standards and the ADEA EPA framework. Previously, she developed the University of Michigan’s Oral Health Sciences Master’s Program, integrating biomedical sciences, community engagement, humanities, technology and health equity. Dr. Karl’s work reflects sustainable educational change and a deep commitment to preparing future oral health leaders.
Vision and Leadership
Gies Award for Eminence in Vision and Leadership
Dr. Ihsane Ben Yahya
Dr. Ihsane Ben Yahya is a visionary academic leader whose work has strengthened oral health education across Africa and beyond. As an educator, oral surgeon, dean, university vice president and global leader, she has expanded postgraduate training, advanced faculty development and created sustainable pathways for future dental educators. Her partnership with Mercy Ships has helped prepare specialists and academic leaders for several African nations, while her founding of the Association for Dental Education in Africa gave the continent its first unified academic voice in dental education. Through decades of service, including leadership with FDI, she has transformed vision into enduring impact.
Dr. Ronnie Myers
Dr. Ronnie Myers, Dean of Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM), is recognized for more than four decades of visionary leadership advancing dental education, integrated care and health equity. A pioneer in connecting oral health with primary medical care, Dr. Myers helped establish innovative programs in dental oncology, cardiac transplant screening, infection prevention and special care dentistry. Under his leadership, TCDM earned accreditation without reporting requirements, expanded educational pathways and opened a clinical facility in New Mexico to address provider shortages and improve access for underserved communities. His legacy reflects transformative change, compassionate leadership and an enduring commitment to the future of oral health education.
Achievement
Gies Award for Eminence in Achievement
New York City Health + Hospitals
Recently, New York City Health + Hospitals—the largest public health care system in the United States—created a pediatric and dental collaborative across the system to combat health care disparities in the pediatric population. To make each appointment truly patient-centered, dental team members now participate in the pediatric medical visit and assess oral health needs. This initiative has decreased care gaps and has been an equitable solution for this vulnerable population.
Moreover, one Hospital location has designed a dental trauma room in their Emergency Department in order to fast track care. This unique medical/dental care method has been featured in Becker’s Dental Review and a model for our system.