Celebrating Excellence: AAE25 Honors Award Winners at Coolidge Brunch
The American Association of Endodontists proudly recognizes the outstanding achievements of its members during the Edgar D. Coolidge Brunch at AAE25 in Boston. Held on April 5, 2025, the ceremony celebrates individuals whose careers exemplify leadership, service, education, and research in endodontics.
Spirit of Service New Practitioner Award
Dr. Francisco Nieves
A rising leader in the field, Dr. Francisco Nieves has made service a defining part of his professional journey. As a resident at Rutgers, he volunteered with the Foundation for Endodontics’ Outreach Program in Jamaica. Now practicing in Fort Worth, Texas, he continues to care for underserved patients through the Mercy Clinic, supported by the Foundation’s Domestic Access to Care Grant.
Despite managing two practices and raising a family, Dr. Nieves mentors residents, encourages Board certification, and serves with the Fort Worth District Dental Society and the AAE’s Research and Scientific Affairs Committee. His dedication to patients, profession, and community embodies the spirit of this award.
Spirit of Service Career Award
Dr. Demetrick LeCorn
Dr. Demetrick LeCorn’s commitment to service spans decades and continents. After earning his DMD and endodontic specialty from the University of Florida, he began a lifelong journey of giving back. Since 2011, he has led two international mission trips annually to underserved communities across the Caribbean and Central America.
Closer to home, he founded the FreeDOM Clinic—a nonprofit providing free dental, optometry, and medical care to uninsured and underinsured individuals in Central Florida. In addition to a successful private practice, Dr. LeCorn is a clinical instructor at the University of Florida and a respected mentor in the field.
Louis I. Grossman Award
Dr. Paul Abbott
A global figure in endodontics, Professor Paul Abbott is Emeritus Professor of Dentistry at The University of Western Australia and has over 45 years of clinical experience. After 17 years in private practice, he transitioned to academia, serving as Dean of the School of Dentistry and Director of the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia.
Dr. Abbott has delivered over 1,000 lectures in 52 countries and authored more than 415 publications. His research in dental traumatology, tooth resorption, and disinfection has shaped modern endodontic practice. His many honors include the Jens O. Andreasen Award and the Officer of the Order of Australia.
Calvin D. Torneck Part-Time Educator Award
Dr. Brian Mykleby
With over 40 years of combined clinical practice and part-time teaching, Dr. Brian Mykleby has profoundly impacted the education of future endodontists. An Associate Adjunct Professor at the University of Iowa and private-practice endodontist in Davenport, Iowa since 1989, he brings a unique blend of dedication and perspective to the classroom.
Dr. Mykleby’s background as a competitive swimmer informs his belief in persistence, hard work, and unlocking student potential—principles he carries into every lecture and mentoring session.
Edward M. Osetek Educator Award
Dr. Carla Y. Falcon
Dr. Carla Falcon has rapidly distinguished herself as a leader in education. As Pre-Doctoral Endodontics Program Director at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, she revitalized the curriculum and launched the “Endo Only” initiative to significantly expand hands-on experience for students.
A Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics and a speaker at AAE Annual Meetings, Dr. Falcon also serves in leadership roles for the AAE and the Foundation for Endodontics. She is a recipient of the Foundation’s Endodontic Educator Fellowship Award and a passionate mentor at a critical time for academic recruitment and retention.
I.B. Bender Lifetime Educator Award
Dr. Brad Johnson
Dr. Brad Johnson has spent over 25 years shaping endodontic education. After earning his DDS from Virginia Commonwealth University, he trained and now teaches at the University of Illinois Chicago, where he serves as Professor, Department Head of Endodontics, and Director of Postgraduate Endodontics.
Dr. Johnson’s national leadership includes serving as President of the American Board of Endodontics, a CODA Commissioner, and a Board Member of the AAE. With more than 70 publications and 18 textbook chapters, his influence on the specialty is immense. Above all, he is celebrated for his mentorship and commitment to student success.
Edgar D. Coolidge Award
Dr. Kenneth M. Hargreaves
Dr. Kenneth Hargreaves, the 2025 recipient of the AAE’s highest honor, is a luminary in research, education, and leadership. Chair of the Department of Endodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, he is a world-renowned researcher in orofacial pain, inflammation, and regenerative endodontics.
With over 281 publications and more than 17,000 citations, Dr. Hargreaves has shaped clinical practice and inspired generations. As Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Endodontics for over two decades, he elevated the journal to international prominence. His leadership, mentorship, and dedication continue to shape the future of endodontics.
Congratulations to all the award recipients, and thank you for your lasting contributions to the field of endodontics.