Mealey takes home the Gold Medal, AAP’s highest award

With a mission to improve the periodontal and general health of the public through support of research and education, the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Foundation annually recognizes members whose service and dedication have made a meaningful impact on the field. The AAP Gold Medal Award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions and service to the Academy and understanding of the field of periodontology and the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal diseases. It is the highest honor bestowed by the Academy and this year that honor was bestowed to Brian L. Mealey, DDS, MS, clinical professor in the Department of Periodontics. “I was completely surprised when I received a call from the president of the AAP telling me that I would be given the Gold Medal Award. It is something I never expected, never would have thought possible,” said Mealey. Mealey received his DDS in 1983 from UT Health San Antonio and went on to do his residency training in periodontics at Wilford Hall Air Force Medical Center where he received his certificate in 1990. After graduating, in addition to being involved in patient care, he also became a faculty member in the Air Force periodontics residency program. His department chair and mentor at the time was involved in the AAP, which influenced Mealey’s participation as well. Over his many years with the AAP, Mealey has served on 28 different committees, as the District 8 representative on the Board of Trustees, lectured at annual meetings, taught continuing education courses, served on the Journal of Periodontology Editorial Advisory Board and presented at, and chaired, many of the Academy’s Pre- and Postdoctoral Workshops. He also held three positions with the AAP Foundation and was a member of the American Board of Periodontology for six years, holding four different positions including chair for the 2011/2012 year. He has also received numerous AAP awards including the 2019 Distinguished Service Award, the 2004 Fellowship Award, the 2012 William J. Gies Periodontology Award, the 2018 Outstanding Periodontal Educator Award and a Special Citation Award in 2018 for his service on the organizing committee of the 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri- Implant Disease and Conditions. “I have found that mentoring often involves gently telling people what to do. For many years, I was ‘voluntold’ for numerous committees and said yes each time. After decades, I found myself in the position to ‘voluntell’ other young periodontists to work on AAP committees and task forces. It’s been a pleasure to move from mentee to mentor – to be able to work with dedicated Academy staff and volunteer periodontists to help move the profession and our specialty forward!” Mealey has delivered over 300 lectures at regional, national and international meetings. He is the editor and co-author of two textbooks and the author or co-author of 28 textbook chapters and over 100 published papers in peer-reviewed journals. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and was a consultant to the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs for more than two decades. “My family gave up a lot of time to allow me to participate in Academy activities and governance. So, this award is as much theirs as it is mine. I could not be more honored to be the AAP Gold Medal recipient,” said Mealey. The School of Dentistry congratulates Dr. Mealey on achieving this much deserved recognition!