event profile / feature

GORP 2016 A recap of this year’s Graduate Orthodontic Residents Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan

by Daniel Grob, DDS, MS, editorial director, Orthotown magazine

44 SEPTEMBER 2016 // orthotown.com feature \\ event profile

Dr. Dan Grob, Orthotown magazine’s editorial director, recaps this year’s Graduate Orthodontic Residents Program (GORP). Grob spoke with event organizers about the event via telephone and email. GORP took place Aug. 4–7 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

his year’s GORP meeting was held at students’ enthusiasm for their career choice. Tthe University of Michigan, marking the He also reiterated the importance of the many 28th annual session since the first meeting took aspects of life that influence our careers, and place in 1989. how we got to where we are today through our The long-standing successful conclave previous experiences. included industry-leading speakers, authors and “Make Ortho Great Again,” a satirical motto researchers, along with orthodontic residents and playing off a political one, was nonetheless a orthodontic equipment and supply companies, serious catchphrase of GORP, and was even which made for a terrific event for socializing seen on the T-shirts of students participating and enrichment. in the event’s popular T-shirt contest. Dr. Luis Carrière, in his unique and exu- Mixing business berant way, once again awed the audience with with pleasure well-documented case studies of Class II and This year, more than 400 attendees mingled, Class III patients treated learned, and discussed plans for the future to perfection with his of . Most of the attendees were patented appliance sys- from the U.S., but Canada and Brazil were tems. Feedback from also represented. the residents indicated Many exhibitors were on hand to showcase that they are beginning their unique and essential contribution to the to utilize the new coop- profession and help with financial support to host eration-based skeletal the event. Also in attendance was Orthotown, corrector in daily prac- with a booth to educate students and graduating tice with great success. orthodontists about our magazine and website. There is even word that As always, GORP was a combination of Dr. James McNamara education, camaraderie and fun that brought is behind the scenes Co-chairs Scott together residents of orthodontic programs from helping document the biological results and Sakowitz and Sarah GORP 2016 all over. Interspersed between the lectures were mechanical methods of this new orthodontic Syklawer, with Dr. golfing, kayaking and dining events that made auxiliary. James McNamara, ready to enjoy the event for a great weekend adventure. Dr. Sebastian Baumgaertel gave a prosaic after a year of planning. The meeting’s agenda was crafted to satisfy a lecture about the utilization of TADs that was wide variety of educational needs, and included especially applicable to practice-bound residents. both lighthearted and serious topics. Dr. Rolf His audience was treated to the “Top Ten TAD Behrents, the keynote speaker, delivered an Tidbits” that would help streamline the use of inspiring and serious message, reaffirming this microsurgical technique. For many first-year

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residents, this was an early introduction to a topic that various methods of titling has revolutionized requirements and delivery. property and disbursing Dr. Clark Colville traced the history of assets and salary to gain for orthodontic movement and assured the audience there the best protection and are more improvements to come. Looking back some 15 tax advantages. years to the beginning of orthodontic digital technologies, Professional associ- it’s easy to see that the technological advancements, plus ations were also present the data available for analysis, have led to some major to answer questions and improvements in the system. explain their roles in an Arlen Hurt of Specialty Appliances reviewed the orthodontist’s professional Dr. Rolf Behrents evolution of 3-D printing, which is becoming mainstream career. Represented were in orthodontics. Reduced cost, reduced size and increased the American Board of Orthodontics, the American speed are likely to please the clinicians who wish to Association of Orthodontics, and the American Association incorporate this technology into their practice delivery of Orthodontics Foundation. system for retainers and appliances. Dr. Mart McClellan provided insight into the necessary Behind the scenes financial choices and decisions that must be made as Co-chairs for this year’s event were Sarah Syklawer and practice and life unfold. He covered in some detail the Scott Sakowitz, both members of the University of Michigan orthodontic program. Syklawer, a former resident of Mobile, Alabama, completed her undergraduate work at the University of South Alabama and her dental undergraduate work at the University of Alabama. Sakowitz, a native of a small town near Orlando, Florida, attended the University of Pennsylvania for dental school. The two teamed up this year to divide the duties of planning this elaborate social, educational and recreational weekend. Readers may recall that GORP alternates between the University of Michigan and other venues each year, with past meetings at Saint Louis University, The Ohio State University, the University of Toronto and others. As an Arizona resident, I would like to say that this decidedly Midwestern event could use a little bit of dry heat, not only to expose the residents to other parts of the country, but to display our wonderful state as well! Not to mention that room rates are at a discount during the summer in Arizona! However, it seems like I’ll have to wait just a bit longer for GORP to descend on the Grand Canyon State. Next year’s meeting will be held at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. For more information, visit gorportho.com. ■

46 SEPTEMBER 2016 // orthotown.com