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Lee W. Graber Orthodontics Changing Lives Award

 

"Orthodontics Changing Lives" Competition and Award was established by the World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO) Executive Committee in 2022, and named after former WFO President, Doctor Lee W. Graber. The annual award may be presented to WFO Fellows who, in the judgment of the WFO, provide an orthodontic related story that demonstrates a“changed life” because of treatment for their orthodontic patient. The WFO Fellow and/or their patient must relate the story, in a video format (MP4 or MOV format) no more than 4 minutes long, that can be used on WFO professional and social media platforms. The narrative can be in the native language but must then be subtitled in English. The intent of the award is to encourage WFO Fellows to participate in a competition where they would share patient stories about how orthodontics has impacted their patient and "was a life changing experience".

The award is named after Dr. Lee W. Graber. Apart from his immeasurable service to the WFO and our profession. Dr. Graber has always been a keen advocate of encouraging dental colleagues to include orthodontic treatment into their patient’s oral healthcare plans. His early research work on the psychosocial aspects of malocclusion, and support for the integration of social science-based concepts to aid in the provision of high-quality care, have globally impacted orthodontic residents, clinicians, and the patients they treat. Through research, teaching, professional associations and in private practice, Dr. Graber has devoted his career to positively changing lives by way of orthodontics.

Submissions for the Award. Submissions for the award may be made directly to the WFO Central Office or through a current WFO Executive Committee member by any WFO Fellow or Student Member in good standing, or any WFO Affiliate Organization in good standing. The WFO central office shall forward the nomination to the WFO Awards Committee.

Eligibility. To be eligible for The Lee W. Graber Orthodontics Changing Lives Award, an applicant must be a Fellow or Student Member of the WFO in good standing at the time of application and in the year of the award presentation.

Process. Submissions for this award may be made to the WFO from the 1st of June the previous year and must be received no later than 31st March of the awarding year. The Awards Committee will make recommendations to the WFO Executive Committee for final determinationofallawards. Supportiveinformationshallbesubmittedontheformprovided (Annex A) and shall include the curriculum vitae of the treating orthodontist in addition to the video (MP4 or MOV), the submission must also include a short narrative of no more than three (3) pages in length, authored by the submitting Fellow or organization, describing how orthodontic treatment positively changed the life of their patient. The award winner(s) will be announced, via the WFO media platforms, at least 1 month before the World Orthodontic Health Day (WOHD) of that year.

Awards Committee. Submissions for The WFO Lee W. Graber "Orthodontics Changing Lives" Award shall be reviewed by current members of the WFO Awards Committee, the WFO Secretary-General, and the President of the WFO. Should the committee feel the need to do so, an external party may be invited to help in the judging of the award. All members of the committee shall have the right to vote in the determination of an award recipient. Voting by proxy is not permitted, but electronic voting is permitted should a member of the committee not be able to attend a face-to-face meeting. Final decisions are made by the WFO Executive Committee on referral from the WFO Awards Committee and may not be challenged. Re- submissions for subsequent year competition are not accepted, unless requested by the committee.

General Award Policy. The intent of The Lee W. Graber Orthodontics Changing Lives Award is to engage WFO Fellows, Affiliates and the public at large. These are anecdotes like those many orthodontists have experienced involving orthodontic treatment and how the treatment has impacted the lives of our patients. The WFO would like to share such experiences with a wider professional and lay audience. WFO hopes that through this, the awareness of the life changing benefits of orthodontic treatment will be amplified.

Policies governing the selection and award process are:

  1. The award is to increase the professional and lay exposure of the WFO as well as the orthodontic dental specialty.

  2. The Awards and Communications Committees will publicize the award through their projects and the various medias platforms available. Regional WFO representatives and affiliate associations will also encourage participation from WFO Fellows. The timing for the award will be during the WOHD early promotions period, in tandem with the aims of the WOHD.

  3. Multiple submissions are not allowed by an individual. A maximum of three (3) awards will be given out every year.

  4. All submissions, become the property of the WFO and shall be used on its media platforms in a manner deemed appropriate. Written consent for its use must be obtained and submitted by all participants (parents or guardians for patients under the age of 18) together with the video/media submissions.

  5. A certificate and plaque will be presented to the individual winner(s) at the WFO President’s breakfast meeting at the AAO Annual Session or at an appropriate regional meeting.

 

Please, find the submission form here.

To be considered for the next available award year, submissions must reach the WFO Central office from the 1st of June the previous year and must be received no later than 31st March of the awarding year. 

E-mail submission of the written documents is preferred but their submission may also be made by mail or FAX. The submitted video (MP4 or MOV format) may be sent, including the requested written documents, by way of an online file transfer service. The video, completed form and supporting materials should be submitted to the WFO at: 

World Federation of Orthodontists

401 North Lindbergh Boulevard

St. Louis, Missouri 63141-7816 USA

Fax: + 1-314-985-1036

Email: wfo@wfo.org