The American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) has awarded the Earl E. and Wilma S. Shepard Distinguished Service Award to Russell T. Kittleson, DDS, MS (pictured).

The award was established to perpetuate Earl Shepard’s outstanding accomplishments and to show appreciation for his many contributions as the first executive director of ABO and those of his wife, Wilma, who was highly involved with her husband’s efforts to fulfill the ABO’s goals. The award recognizes an individual for outstanding dedication and advancement of the ideals and mission of the ABO.

“Dr Russell T. Kittleson certainly fits the mold of an individual with outstanding dedication to orthodontic education,” said Jeryl English, DDS, MS, the 2010-11 president of the ABO. “For 50 years, he has taught in the Department of Orthodontics at Marquette University after helping to found the graduate orthodontic program in 1961.”

Kittleson, from Mequon, Wis, was one of the founders of the graduate orthodontic program at Marquette University and currently is an adjunct professor of clinical orthodontics. He has taught every resident who has attended the program and has influenced many to become Diplomates of the ABO. He is a fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy and the American College of Dentists. He is a past president of the Angle Midwest Component of the Edward H. Angle Society of Orthodontists, the Wisconsin Society of Orthodontists, and the Marquette University Dental Alumni Association.

“As a practicing orthodontist and an orthodontic educator, I realize the importance of teaching quality orthodontics,” Kittleson said. “The American Board of Orthodontics has always had the goal to improve the quality of orthodontics in our profession, and that is why this recognition is special to me.”