The University of Florida College of Dentistry Department of Periodontology coordinated the first meeting of the PerioGators, an alumni organization of graduated residents of the department, on May 4, 2013. The first meeting included 23 members and seven faculty and staff of the college.
The focus of the first meeting was to establish connections between alumni and friends of the UF Department of Periodontology. The graduating residents presented their last “Year in Review,” and the alumni volunteer coordinator, Dr. Alan Fetner, shared information on new technologies in the field. During lunch, the floor was opened to anyone who wanted to respond to the prompt, “The day I felt like a hero in my practice,” which proved to be a popular theme. The meeting adjourned with a tour of the newly renovated Center for Advanced Periodontics and Prosthodontics. The department also announced the formation of a new UF fund aimed at providing support to residency education and training in periodontology, resident travel to regional and national conferences, alumni and resident events, lectures and presentations; and to support equipment purchases for newly renovated clinic.
Since 1978, the department has graduated 86 alumni who have gone on to serve their communities, pursue research endeavors and into the academic field. The establishment of this new alumni group allows all PerioGators to maintain and increase connections to the current and former residents, the department and the college, while providing a connection to the latest news and clinical innovations in the field. PerioGators will also serve to connect alumni with volunteer opportunities, philanthropy and service.
For more information or to become involved in PerioGators, please contact alumniandfriends@dental.ufl.edu.
