CHICAGO– The AAE Foundation—or Foundation for Endodontics—has announced the creation of the Jacob B. Freedland Society. Named for the organization's founder and first chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Freedland Society was established to recognize individuals making deferred gifts of $25,000 or more. Deferred gifts are gifts that make an impact after the donor's lifetime, such as bequests, trusts and annuities.
One of the nation's first endodontists, Dr. Freedland was also the 22nd president of the American Association of Endodontists. Dr. Freedland was involved in organized dentistry at the local, state and international levels throughout his long lifetime. He was convinced that strong research and educational initiatives and talented educators were key to a bright future for endodontics.
In 1998, Dr. Freedland observed, "It has long been my opinion that we have been short-sighted in our approach to the future of our specialty. There has been no attention to encouraging academic and research personnel... The future of all health care personnel are in for some predictable changes. There is no crystal ball to provide the direction. Not to be prepared can be an irreversible mistake."
Since Dr. Freedland wrote those words, the Foundation for Endodontics has experienced impressive growth. The 2016 budget includes $1.5 million to be invested in research and education and the 2015-16 fundraising goal is $1.35 million. Creating the Freedland Society is another step towards perpetuating Dr. Freedland's commitment to knowledge and excellence.
"Dr. Freedland was one of my first and most important mentors," said AAE Foundation President Dr. Louis E. Rossman. "I am proud that the Foundation for Endodontics can honor his legacy in this special way."
Founding members of the Jacob B. Freedland Society are: Scott Fehrs, Treloar and Heisel; David C. Funderburk, DDS, MS; Keith V. Krell, DDS, MS, MA; Mark A. Odom, DDS; Terryl A. Propper, DDS, MS; Robert S. Roda, DDS, MS; Louis E. Rossman, DMD; Kenneth Thomalla, Treloar and Heisel; Patricia A. Tordik, DMD
To learn more about the Freedland Society, the AAE Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.aae.org/foundation or contact Alyson Hall, development manager, at 800-872-3636, ext. 3008.
