Patton Wins Samuel Charles Miller Award
Dr. Lauren L. Patton, professor and chair of the Department of Dental Ecology, was named the 2013 recipient of the Samuel Charles Miller award at the 67th annual meeting of the American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM) in San Antonio, Tex.
The Samuel Charles Miller Award, named for the Academy’s founder and first president, is AAOM’s highest academic award, given annually to recognize an individual who has made outstanding contributions nationally and internationally in the field of oral medicine. School colleague and AAOM President Dr. Mark Kutcher presented the award to Patton, citing her diverse accomplishments in clinical and health services research, publication and editorship. He also highlighted Patton’s service to federal agencies, international lectureships, and past service to the American Board of Oral Medicine as a director and president.
At the event, Patton presented her award lecture titled “Update on HIV Disease: Advancing the Art and Science of Oral Medicine for Over 30 Years.” She credited her achievement to the collaborative scholarship and patient care environments at UNC-Chapel Hill that have led to many discoveries in oral medicine and HIV disease that have significantly improved patients’ health around the world.
“It is simply wonderful to see her receive national recognition of her outstanding academic and clinical achievements, specifically her pioneering work with dental management of patients with HIV/AIDS, as well as patients with other medically complex conditions,” said UNC Executive Vice Provost and Chief International Officer Dr. Ronald P. Strauss. Former chair of the school’s Department of Dental Ecology, Strauss and Patton previously collaborated on HIV disease and oral cancer research.
