WFO Executive Committee elects president-designate
Dr. Athanasiou will succeed Dr. Graber as president in 2005

In November 2003, the WFO Executive Committee elected Dr. Athanasios E. Athanasiou of Athens, Greece, as president-designate. Dr. Athanasiou will succeed Dr. Lee Graber as president of the WFO in September 2005 during the 6th International Orthodontic Congress and the 3rd Meeting of the WFO, which will be held in Paris, France. Dr. Athanasiou is currently serving as vice president of the organization.

“The WFO is an international dynamic organization, whose past and present very experienced, qualified and dedicated leadership have shared mutual respect, understanding and common objectives with affiliate societies and fellows,” Dr. Athanasiou said. “I am deeply honored to be a member of this distinguished group of individuals and such a highly respected organization.”

During Dr. Athanasiou’s presidential term, the new Executive Committee will focus on the dissemination of scientific information and expansion of networks of communication among WFO members, promotion of desirable standards of training and certification for orthodontists, and encouragement of orthodontic research in the international academic orthodontic community.

“Although the aims of the World Federation of Orthodontists cover a wide range of professional, scientific and academic issues, the central target of its action relates to the improvement of health-care services provided to the orthodontic treatment-seeking population,” Dr. Athanasiou said. “The WFO will continue to concentrate on aspects that may positively influence the standards of delivery of orthodontic treatment in many parts of the world.”

With these main goals in mind, Dr. Athanasiou expects the incoming Executive Committee to further the expansion of the WFO membership and to increase the number of affiliate organizations. However, maintaining high standards of admission will remain a key objective.

During the term of the new Executive Committee, support for the 7th International Orthodontic Congress, which will be held in Sydney, Australia, in 2010, will also be a high priority.

Dr. Athanasiou will bring a strong academic background to his presidency. Currently, he holds several prestigious academic positions at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Thessaloniki, Greece. He is professor, chairman and program director in the Department of Orthodontics. In September 2003, Dr. Athanasiou was appointed as dean of the School of Dentistry. He is a member of the university’s Senate as well.

Dr. Athanasiou has held numerous leadership positions in several orthodontic and dental organizations. Currently, he is the president of the Greek Orthodontic Society. He is also a past president of the European Federation of Orthodontics.

In addition, he has received many distinctions and awards, including the Edward Cherkas Memorial Award from Temple University and the Eastern County Dental Society (1985), the Zendium Prize from the Royal Dental College at Aarhus University (1990), and the 2001 Louise Ada Jarabak Memorial International Orthodontic Teachers and Research Award from the AAO Foundation.

Dr. Athanasiou maintains a part-time private practice in Athens. He frequently lectures abroad, has published more than 110 scientific articles, chapters and books, and has assisted with the planning of numerous scientific meetings. Dr. Athanasiou received his dental and doctorate degrees from the University of Athens in 1979 and 1991, respectively. He received his certificate in orthodontics and his master’s degree in dental sciences from Temple University in 1985.

Dr. Athanasiou is confident that the future of the WFO will be prosperous.

“This feeling is based on the tremendous growth this organization has made, the many achievements already accomplished and the new challenges that are in front of our specialty,” he said. “WFO’s active worldwide presence and its enormous contribution to our specialty during its first nine years of existence have been widely recognized. Today, national and regional orthodontic groups, as well as clinicians on an individual basis throughout the world, have great respect for the WFO, and they consider it the leading organization within our specialty.”