NEWS FROM THE EDITORIAL COUNCIL

Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics celebrates 50th anniversary

The Editorial Council of The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry acknowledges the 50th anniversary of the Greater NewYork Academy of Prosthodontics (GNYAP). Dr Kenneth M. Schweitzer, Secretary of the GNYAP, was invited toprovide a brief history of the organization. The Editorial Council thanks Dr Schweitzer for his contribution.

The Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics (GNYAP) will celebrate its 50th Anniversary in December 2004in grand fashion. President Dennis N. Morea and the Program Committee have assembled world-class clinicians forthe scientific session (Fig. 1). Additionally, the Academy will host a series of special events to recognize and honorthose individuals responsible for developing and nurturing the GNYAP’s mission.

The Academy was founded in 1954 by 13 visionary dentists seeking to promote the art, science, and practice ofprosthodontics. Through their wisdom and steadfast commitment to practice the highest ethical standards of pro-fessional membership, the Academy grew into a nationally respected organization. Each December, from the timeof its inception, a scientific session was organized and leaders in academic and clinical dentistry convened to conveytheir clinical research findings and opinions on pertinent topics of the day, including complete dentures, removablepartial dentures, and occlusion. It was an exciting time in dentistry, especially in prosthodontics, with the establish-ment of The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry occurring only 3 years earlier. The GNYAP has been a SponsoringOrganization of the Journal since 1956.

On October 29, 1954, Dr Ira E. Klein and Dr JeromeM. Schweitzer met in New York City to discuss the forma-tion of an academy. It was decided that the following 13 individuals would be invited as charter members of theGYNAP: Carlisle C. Bastian, S. Charles Brecker, Louis Alexander Cohen, W. Campbell Hudson, Ira E. Klein, KarlW. Knapp, Joseph S. Landa, Raymond J. Nagle, Clyde H. Schuyler, Jerome M. Schweitzer, Thomas E.J.Shanahan, Gilbert P. Smith, and Homer C. Vaughan (Fig. 2). The first organizational meeting was held at TheFinland House Restaurant on December 6, 1954, and Jerome M. Schweitzer was elected as the first President. In1959, the Spring Meeting was added to occur on the first Friday in June, because more time was needed to conduct

Fig. 1. Dr and Mrs Dennis Morea at 2003 meeting.

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business and to evaluate prospective newmembers. Fellows and associate fellows were invited to this meeting to pres-ent short essays. This meeting has been expanded to include prosthodontic graduate students, recent graduates ofprosthodontic programs, implant fellows, general practice residents, and mentored predoctoral students.

Fig. 2. GNYAP charter members at 1961 Spring Meeting: (left to right) Homer Vaughan, Gilbert Smith, W. Campbell Hudson,Carlisle Bastian, Jerome M. Schweitzer, Clyde Schuyler, Ira E. Klein, and Joseph Landa.

Fig. 3. Dr and Mrs Jerome Schweitzer celebrate GNYAP’s 1-year anniversary.

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In 1966, the JeromeM. andDorothy Schweitzer Award of the Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics wasestablished (Fig. 3). This yearDrTomasAlbrektssonwill be the 37th recipient of the award. The award is presented toan individual based on the high quality of research the recipient has conducted and published, representing a majorcontribution, either directly or indirectly, to the advancement of prosthodontics.

In 1975, the Greater New York Academy of Prosthodontics Research Foundation was chartered to ‘‘promote,foster, sponsor, encourage, and raise and devote funds and efforts to the advancement of scientific and dental re-search, in general, and prosthodontic research in particular.’’ Although they are separate entities, the Academyand Foundation work synergistically to create an annual meeting unique to dentistry and prosthodontics. Elegant,entertaining, and intellectually inspiring to the master academician and clinician, as well as to the prosthodontic neo-phyte, the GNYAP Fall Meeting is the epitome of camaraderie and education in the specialty and discipline of pros-thodontics.

Happy 50th Anniversary GNYAP!

Kenneth M. Schweitzer, DDSSecretary, GNYAP

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