NESO 2024 Speaker Bios
Ann Marie Gorczyca
Dr. Ann Marie Gorczyca is a frequent speaker on dental practice management topics, including marketing, human resource management, customer service, treatment coordination, leadership, teamwork, and practice management systems. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and Past President of the Northern California Angle Society of Orthodontists. In practice for over 34 years, Dr. Gorczyca is owner of Gorczyca Orthodontics in Antioch, California. Leadership and Teamwork is the topic of her fifth book on dental practice management.
Andre Weissheimer
Dr. Andre Weissheimer is a professor and the Clinical Director of Orthodontics at Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston. He is a Ph.D. orthodontist, trained extensively in Dentistry and Orthodontics in Brazil and in the United States, at the University of Southern California. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a member of the Edward Angle Society. Dr. Weissheimer has a background in digital orthodontics, CAD/CAM technology, 3D imaging, biomechanics and customized appliances, with over 40 publications, book chapters, and patents. He is the co-inventor of InBrace Generation 2. He also serves as a reviewer for The AJO-DO and The Angle Orthodontist journals. In the past seven years, he has had six innovative publications featuring the front cover of the AJO-DO (twice) and JCO (four times).
Enrique Cruz
Dr. Enrique Cruz is a dual specialist in orthodontist and periodontist based in Austin, Texas, where he practices with his wife, Dr. Mahya Farnia. He completed a six-year residency at the Indiana University School of Dentistry. Dr. Cruz is a part-time faculty member in the orthodontics residency program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.
As president of the Texas Association of Orthodontists and a member of the Communications Committee of the Southwest Society of Orthodontists, he oversees social media and online content. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of the American Association of Orthodontists, advocating for the profession. With over 2 million social media followers, Dr. Cruz actively engages with the public, promoting dental health and orthodontic care.
Flavio Uribe
Dr. Uribe received his Master‘s degree and Certificate in Orthodontics from the University of Connecticut after receiving his DDS degree from the CES University in Medellin, Colombia. He also completed a 3- year residency and fellowship program at the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Program at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Uribe is a Full-time Professor, Program Director, and Chair of the Division of Orthodontics at UConn Health. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and member of the Edward H Angle Society of Orthodontists. He was a member of the Council of Scientific Affairs for the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and is part of the committee implementing practice-based research networks for the AAO.
Dr. Uribe is a section editor of the Book Temporary Anchorage Devices in Orthodontics, co-editor of the book Atlas of Complex Orthodontics and of the new edition of Temporary Anchorage Devices in Orthodontics. Dr. Uribe has authored and coauthored numerous book chapters and articles in peer-reviewed journals. He is a past recipient of the Biomedical Research Award from the AAO Foundation in 2012 and 2019. Dr. Uribe holds the Ravi Nanda Endowed Chair at the University of Connecticut.
Juan Martin Palomo
Dr. Juan Martin Palomo is a tenured professor and the Orthodontic Residency Director at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Palomo’s contributions to craniofacial imaging, informatics, and airway analysis have been recognized through medical and dental research awards, national and international presentations, and numerous peer-reviewed publications. He is a member of the AAO Committee on Conferences, AAO Council on Education, the Associate Editor for the Digital Orthodontics section of the AJODO, Associate Editor for the Sleep and Breathing Journal, the AAO representative for Image Gently, and the past chair of the AAO Committee on Technology. He was also a member of the AAO Task Force that provided a white paper on the orthodontist’s role in treating patients with Sleep Apnea. He is a board-certified orthodontist, an Angle Society member, and an active member of the American Association of Orthodontics, the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, as well as the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Matt Leatherman
Matt Leatherman, Lead Compliance Consultant at Abyde, educates independent practices across the country daily to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities for compliance. Through virtual one-on-one consultations and in-person presentations, he has gained valuable insight into how dental practices approach and handle compliance programs, allowing him to provide robust action plans and guidance moving forward.
Matthew Ng
Dr. Matthew Ng completed his undergraduate (BSc) and dental education (DMD) at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada. He went on to pursue his orthodontic education (MSD) at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. Dr. Ng is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists in Canada. Dr. Ng is an active member in the profession currently serving as the President of the SWSO and Co-President of the new Southern Society of Orthodontists. He also serves as a Councilor for the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics, SWSO Delegation Chair to the AAO and Chair of the AAO Council on Membership, Ethics and Judiciary Concerns.. He is also a proud member of the Southwest Component of the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists.
Dr. Ng is humbled to lecture at a number of orthodontic residencies and serves as Adjunct Clinical Faculty at Saint Louis University. He enjoys meeting orthodontists all over the world as a Key-Opinion Leader for American Orthodontics and uLab Systems. In his spare time, he is an active member of his local church and spending time with his lovely wife, two young sons and baby girl. Dr. Ng maintains his private practice in Katy and College Station, Texas.
Melih Motro
Dr. Melih Motro is a Clinical Associate Professor at Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and the Department of Orthodontics’ research director. His research focuses on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) in orthodontics, improving patient outcomes, and understanding genetic influences on craniofacial development.
Dr. Motro has received several awards, including the Anthony A. Gianelly Teaching Fellowship Award and the Faculty Appreciation Award for Postdoctoral Education. His research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, covering topics such as mandibular growth in twins, pediatric sleep-related breathing disorders, and the effects of bimaxillary advancement surgery on the airway. Dr. Motro’s contributions to orthodontics extend beyond academia, as he actively participates in professional societies and serves as an Associate Editor for the Korean Journal of Orthodontics.
Michelle Shimmin
Michelle Shimmin is an international lecturer, trainer and consultant who has been in the field of orthodontics since 1990, working as a Registered Dental Assistant, teaching orthodontic assisting, marketing, financials, treatment coordinating and practice management. Michelle travels the country and helps transform orthodontic offices on their systems to promote training, growth, and success through a comprehensive practice approach. Michelle is one of the most sought-after trainers with many lecture events every year, both domestic and international.
Mike Rizzo
Mike Rizzo, Director of National Accounts at Abyde, is an experienced educator on HIPAA and OSHA compliance. Mike’s background has allowed him to gain detailed insights on the challenges of achieving and maintaining compliance as an independent provider, including the difficulties and common mistakes in meeting government-mandated HIPAA and OSHA requirements. Abyde, the industry-leading
Neal Kravitz
Dr. Kravitz is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, member of the Edward Angle Society, Editor-in-Chief for the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics, and an Associate Editor for the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. Dr. Kravitz also chairs the AAO Committee on Technology and serves on the AAO Committee on Conferences. He is a graduate of Columbia University and received his D.M.D. and the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Kravitz lectures throughout the country and internationally on treatment planning, biomechanics, practice management, and ethics, quickly building a reputation as one of the country’s most dynamic speakers.
Paul Gange
Paul Gange Jr. is the Vice President of Reliance Orthodontic Products. He has become a leader in resolving difficult technical bonding issues through countless chairside hours training clinical staff. His passion for research and development has created 12 new Reliance products over the past 10 years and aided numerous research projects. Paul is a published author, lectures domestically and internationally at numerous universities, study clubs, constituent meetings as well as the AAO for the past 9 years. His greatest fulfillment comes from hands-on training for doctors and staff in private offices.
Paula Coates
Dr. Paula L. Coates is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American College of Dentists and Pierre Fauchard Academy.
Born in Washington, D.C. and reared in Prince George’s County, Maryland, Dr. Coates knew she wanted to be a dentist since the age of fourteen. Her academic path began at Duke University in Durham, NC. Then, she earned her dental degree from Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, TN.
A love of working with children led Dr. Coates to continue her studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago where she completed specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry. During her time there, she gained a great deal of experience working with children of all ages, especially those with special health care needs. During her residency, Dr. Coates worked on and later earned her Masters of Science degree. Since completing her residency program, Dr. Coates has provided oral health care to children in the states of Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Tennessee and Virginia. In August of 2021, she joined the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Dentistry where she currently serves as an Assistant Professor. Since joining the faculty at VCU School of Dentistry, she has participated in several leadership development programs including the 2023-2024 ADEA Emerging Leaders Program and currently, the 2024 VCU Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute.
In her spare time, Dr. Coates volunteers many hours with organized dental/health and community service organizations. She has served in leadership positions at the local, state and national levels of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and National Dental Association. She was the first African American Woman elected to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (2016-2019). In addition, Dr. Coates is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The James River Valley (VA) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.
Sercan Akyalcin
Dr. Sercan Akyalcin is the Head of Orthodontics at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. He has a DDS-PhD degree and is a graduate of the orthodontic program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He was a faculty member at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, where he also served as the chair and graduate program director of Orthodontics before joining Harvard University. Dr. Akyalcin is active in many leadership roles, serving on the Northeast Society of Orthodontists (NESO) Board of Directors and representing NESO on the House of Delegates at the AAO. He also advocates for the Northeast region on the AAO Council on Education.
As a dental educator and orthodontist, he has published over fifty peer-reviewed papers, co-edited a textbook, contributed to twelve other orthodontic books, and served on the editorial boards of orthodontic and dental journals. In addition, he has been recognized with several awards in the field, including the 2019 Edward H. Angle Research Prize. Additionally, he serves as an examiner for the Council on Dental Education and the American Board of Orthodontics.
Seung Jun Song
Dr. Song is an assistant professor of dental medicine at Columbia University. He earned his DMD from Kyunghee University School of Dentistry (Seoul, Korea) in 2006. After 3-years of military service and 7-years of private practice in general dentistry he completed specialty training in Prosthodontics at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in 2019 where he served as chief resident. During this time, he also completed his Master of Science. He is currently teaching in the undergraduate prosthodontics, postgraduate prosthodontics clinic at Columbia University and serving as director of predoctoral prosthodontics.
Sylvia Frazier-Bowers
Dr. Frazier-Bowers began her journey at UIC (Chi-town) and continued in Chapel Hill at UNC-CH where she completed an orthodontics residency, and genetics and molecular biology Ph.D. Frazier-Bowers spent a short time in Houston Texas as a postdoctoral fellow and faculty in Orthodontics, before returning to UNC Chapel Hill as an Assistant Professor in Orthodontics. Frazier-Bowers is now a part of the faculty of Indiana University School of Dentistry as a tenured Professor of Orthodontics and Oral Facial Genetics, where she also serves as an Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Admissions, and Chief Diversity Officer.
The crux of Dr. Frazier-Bowers’ translational research program inspires a paradigm shift in orthodontics from “how to move teeth–to how teeth move.” Frazier-Bowers’ studies focus on the genetics of inherited tooth disorders (Tooth agenesis, Class III malocclusion, and PFE) publishing widely on eruption disorders. Her recent academic roles include teaching at the graduate and pre-doctoral levels and mentoring students in research projects. She also maintains a strong link to the national and international craniofacial community in service and leadership as past president and Councilor for the IADR Craniofacial biology group (CBG); and past SAO Scientific Affairs Committee member; past Chair of the AAO Council on Scientific Affairs, AAO PBRN Committee, and the current Vice-Chair of the AAOF PARC. She is also a recent past winner of the ADEA Gies Award recognizing her accomplishments as an educator, and the AADOCR Faculty Award for Mentoring by the AADOCR Student Research Group.
Tracy Moawad
Tracy Moawad brings over two decades of exemplary leadership and expertise in business management to her role as Vice President, Operations – Practice Operations at Corus Orthodontists. With a proven track record spanning 25 years, Tracy is known for her adeptness in optimizing practice operations and cultivating effective leadership teams.
Prior to joining Corus Orthodontists, Tracy was an Operations and Management Systems Consultant at Hummingbird Associates, where she served as a trusted partner and advisor to orthodontic practices across North America for nearly a decade. Her extensive experience in orthodontics in addition to a 15 year career in private equity operations uniquely positions her to drive operational excellence and organizational growth.
A passionate educator and mentor, Tracy serves as an instructor and coach for the renowned AAO-Wharton MBO program. She also shares her insights through lectures and courses on business and people management, providing orthodontic professionals with actionable strategies to excel in their roles.
Valmy Pangrazio-Kulbersh
Dr. Valmy Pangrazio-Kulbersh, DDS, MS, is a graduate of the University of Asuncion-Paraguay and received her Certificate and MS in Orthodontics from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry.
Dr. Pangrazio-Kulbersh is a member of the American Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists, World Federation of Orthodontists and many other national and international dental organizations. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, where she currently serves as an examiner and member of the written exam committee. She also represented the Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists as a Director to the American Board of Orthodontics and was elected the first female President of the ABO (2020-2021). She is a member of the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists (Midwest Component) where she served as the first female president of the Society. She is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists and member of the Pierre Fouchard Academy International Honor Dental Organization.
Dr. Pangrazio-Kulbersh has published numerous research articles in refereed journals and lectured extensively to national and international audiences. In 2013 she was awarded with the American Association of Orthodontists Annual Meeting, John Valentine Mershon Memorial Lecture and in 2022, she was awarded with the GLAO B. Holly Broadbent, Sr. Memorial Lecture. Presently she is adjunct Professor and Director of the Orthognathic Surgery and Early Treatment Clinics at the University of Detroit Mercy’s Graduate Orthodontic Program.