Planning Committee

Annual Meeting Planning Committee

The committee begins planning the AAE annual meeting 18 months in advance via two face-to-face meetings: one in the host city and another in Chicago. The committee identifies and develops a high-quality educational program along with social activities specifically designed for AAE members and guests attending the annual meeting.

Planning Committee

		Kimberly A.D. Lindquist, D.D.S., M.S.D. AAE25 General Chair Dr. Kimberly Lindquist received her dental degree from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry in 1992. She completed a general practice residency at the Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in Minneapolis in 1993. After 10 years of practicing general dentistry, she completed graduate endodontic training at Case Western Reserve University. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics and a Fellow of the American College of Dentists and International College of Dentists. She has been active with the AAE since residency, including serving on several committees as well as chairing the Resident and New Practitioner Committee and Corporate Relations Committee. She served as president of the Minnesota Association of Endodontists. She completed a three-year term on the AAE Board of Directors representing District 6. Outside of endodontics, Dr. Lindquist is actively involved in her local and state dental associations. She is a full-time endodontic practitioner in Duluth, Minn.

		Mark B. Desrosiers, D.M.D. AAE25 Program Chair Dr. Mark Desrosiers graduated from Penn Dental in 1984. After graduation he served three years in the Navy and then purchased a general, dental practice. After 20 years as a general dentist, he sold his practice and completed a two-year endodontic certificate program at Boston University. After completing his residency, he was part of a four-doctor endodontic group until February 2018 when he sold his share of the partnership to semi-retire. Now working one day per week and teaching one day per week, he is enjoying the slower pace of semi-retirement. In his free time Dr. Desrosiers enjoys traveling with his wife, visiting his grown children, and granddaughters, swimming, sailing, hiking, and scuba diving. A previous President of the CT Association of Endodontists, he has also been active in organized dentistry at the local, state, and national level. He serves on the AAE Board of Directors, is board certified and a fellow of PFA, ICD and ACD.

		Avina Paranjpe, B.D.S., M.S.D., M.S. AAE25 Vice Program Chair Dr. Paranjpe is a Professor and the Graduate Program Director at the University of Washington, Seattle. She is also the current Vice -President of the American Board of Endodontics. She is an immunologist by training and her research mainly focuses on the interaction of the immune cells with stem cells. Dr. Paranjpe is also involved in several ongoing research projects related to dental materials, irrigation protocols and regenerative Endodontics. She has numerous publications in the area of pulpal regeneration and revascularization, immunology, compatibility of biomaterials.

		Mary Um, D.M.D. Workshop Chair Mary Um, DDS, MS, is the owner and lead clinician for the Ivy Endodontic Group in Irvine and Garden Grove. She holds an Adjunct Assistant Professor position in the Department Endodontics and Periodontics in the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California. Dr. Um has served on the AAE Professional and Public Relations committee, the Continuing Education Committee, and as the Co-Chair of the Surgical workshop. She is currently a member of the Annual Meeting Planning Committee as the Workshop Chair. Dr. Um received the Health Professional Scholarship from the United States Air Force and was in active duty in Idaho, Texas, and deployed to Qatar, after which she was honorably discharged. Dr. Um earned her doctorate of dental science from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 2010. She completed her endodontic residency training and a Masters in Oral Science at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry 2018. Dr. Um has been in private practice and has served as a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry and at Northshore University Healthsystem Evanston Hospital General Dentistry Residency program.

		Keith V. Krell, D.D.S., M.S., M.A. Immediate Past General Chair Dr. Krell has been an endodontist for 43 years. He was a full time educator for 8 years at the University of Iowa and was in private practice in West Des Moines, Iowa for 29 years until he retired January 1, 2018. He has been an adjunct Associate and Clinical Professor in the department of Endodontics at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry since May 17,1989. Upon “retirement” he was working part-time at Broadlawns Hospital in the Dental Department treating Medicaid patients until November, 2023. In 1993, he retired from the United States Army National Guard as a lieutenant colonel after 22 years of service. He has been the Johnson county Dental Society President and past Iowa Association of Endodontist, President. He has been treasurer (2004-2006) and President of the American Board of Endodontics (2007), president American Association of Endodontists Foundation(2012-2014) and Secretary (2015) and President (2019-2020) of the American Association of Endodontists. He was recently the General Chairman for the AAE annual Session in LA and is now Immediate Past Chair! He is trying to wind down! Dr. Krell has been married for 53 years to Diane and they have two grown children, Rayda and Nathan and five grand children. He still has research interests in cracked teeth and vertical root fractures and still provides continuing education when asked. He has played guitar forever and is still known for his “Root canal away your Pain!” 12 bar Blues at Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago! Other than that, “Forget about it”.

Track Organizers

		Bettina Basrani, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D. Non Surgical Root Canal Therapy Track Co-Organizer Dr. Bettina Basrani is Tenured Associate Professor and Director, MSc Program in Endodontics on the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dr Basrani received her DDS, Specialty Diploma in Endodontics and PhD from the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina. She began her teaching career at the University of Buenos Aires. In 2000, she moved to Canada to serve as Chair of the Endodontic Program at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 2004, she moved to Toronto, where she has continued her academic and clinical work, nurturing two careers in parallel—that of educator/researcher and of practicing clinician. Dr Basrani has received teacher awards throughout her career and has international courses and lectures, over 30 peer-reviewed scientific publications, textbook chapters, textbooks and abstracts to her credit. She serves as an Editorial Board Member for the JOE, IEJ. Dr Basrani is a member of many endodontics societies around the world. In 2019, she was honored with the Louis Grossman Award by the French Society of Endodontics. In 2021, she was recognized as one of the 200 most distinguished graduates by the University of Buenos Aires, in celebration of the university's 200th anniversary. In 2024, she received an Honoris Causa degree from her alma mater.

		Lauren Belous, D.MD Trauma and Emergencies Track Co-Organizer Lauren Belous was born and raised in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA, and completed her Bachelor’s degree at the University of Notre Dame, cum laude. She then matriculated to Tufts University School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM), graduating summa cum laude with a Doctorate in Dental Medicine in 2016. Dr. Belous then completed a post-doctoral residency program in endodontics, also at TUSDM, and married her dental school sweetheart, Bradley Belous, DMD, in 2018. After graduation, Lauren moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she has been practicing endodontics since. In the fall of 2024, Lauren opened Endodontics of West Chester. Dr. Belous achieved board certification in 2019 and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. She is active within the dental community both locally and on a national level, currently on the Personal and Professional Relations Committee for the American Association of Endodontists and also the New Dentist and Strategic Forecasting Committees for the Pennsylvania Dental Association. She is passionate about endodontics and holds clinical teaching appointments at both University of Pennsylvania Dept. of Endodontics and Jefferson Hospital GPR. Outside or working, Lauren loves exploring the Northeast with her husband, daughter and two mini labradoodles and cheering on the ND Fighting Irish and Eagles!

		Karen Bruggers, D.D.S., M.S. Endo Plus Track Co-Organizer Karen Bruggers, DDS, MS received a BS degree in Microbiology from LSU Baton Rouge, and an AS degree in Dental Laboratory Technology and a DDS from LSU School of Dentistry. She received her MS in Prosthodontics from UNC Dental School. Dr. Bruggers has memberships in the American College of Prosthodontics, where she served for over 15 yearson the ACP Education Foundation board, as secretary, vice-chair, and chair of the ACPEF, the ADA, and the AAFP. Dr. Bruggers taught dental ceramics at LSUSD prior to attending dental school. She was a full time faculty member at UNC in the department of Prosthodontics for three years. She was in the private practice of Prosthodontics from 1991 to May 2017 in Cary, NC and was an adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Prosthodontics at UNC School of Dentistry, teaching in the graduate Prosthodontic program until May 2017. Dr. Bruggers recently retired from LSU Health Dental School where she served as Chair/Department Head of Prosthodontics at LSU School of Dentistry. Dr. Bruggers has lectured throughout the United States.

		Callee Cosby Clark, D.D.S. Non-Surgical Root Canal Therapy Track Co-Organizer Dr. Callee Cosby Clark is a board certified endodontist in Grand Junction, Colo. She attended Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., earning a bachelor's degree in chemistry, and minors in anthropology and sociology. Dr. Clark received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis and her certificate in Endodontics from the University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center. She has been a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics since 2013. In 2014, she and her husband Kyle moved to Colorado and established Grand Valley Endodontics. They live there happily with their two Australian Shepherds, Finn and Honey.

		Tevyah J. Dines, D.MD Practice Management Track Co-Organizer Dr. Dines graduated from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 1997 and then completed a three year endodontic training program at Harvard which included patient care, biomedical research, and teaching. In addition to his endodontic certificate, Dr. Dines also earned a Master's degree in oral biology. Dr. Dines practiced as an associate in a multi office endodontic practice for several years and has been a 'freelance' endodontist since 2008. Dr. Dines is an active member of several professional organizations and completed a three year term on the Board of Directors for the AAE and is chair of the Practice Affairs Committee. He is currently the Vice President for the Massachusetts Association of Endodontists. Dr. Dines is also a part time instructor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry & Biomaterial Sciences at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

		Katie Divine, D.D.S., M.S. Dr. Divine is a board-certified endodontist in a full-time private practice in Rochester, MN. She also teaches part-time as an Adjunct Affiliate Professor at the University of Minnesota Department of Endodontics. She has published research, served as a trustee on the Foundation for Endodontics board, and has several other volunteer and leadership roles within her local community and state. Currently, she serves as Chair of the AAE Membership Engagement Committee and is the District 6 nomination for District Director to the AAE Board of Directors. Additionally, Dr. Divine has a keen interest in dental traumatology and is working closely with the International Association of Dental Traumatology committees and toward her Fellowship status. She also has two young kids, a husband, and a dog... so don't even think about suggesting training for a half-marathon because she will do it!

		Meetu Kohli, D.MD Surgical Root Canal Therapy Track Co-Organizer Dr. Meetu Ralli Kohli is Clinical Associate Professor and Director for Continuing Education and International Visiting Scholar Program and the Master’s in Advanced Dentistry Studies Program (MADS) at the University of Pennsylvania, School of Dental Medicine, Endodontic department. She is a member of the Dean’s advisory council. Dr. Kohli earned her B.D.S. degree from Government Dental College, Bangalore, India. She pursued her D.M.D. degree as well as specialty training in Endodontics at the University of Pennsylvania, USA. During her training she received the esteemed Louis I Grossman award, the Samuel R. Rossman scholarship and the Sherrill Ann Siegel award & scholarship for demonstrating excellence in patient care, clinical skills and research. She is on the Scientific Advisory Board as a reviewer for Journal of Endodontics, International Endodontic Journal, Journal of American Dental Association and other endodontic journals. Dr. Kohli has published in national and international peer reviewed journals and has contributed in books on microsurgical retreatment. Her publications have been recognized as the best clinical research paper and honorary mentions by JOE multiple times. She is the recommend speaker by the AAE for Microsurgery and Prognosis. She has served on the AAE’s Constitution and Bylaws committee and the Research and Scientific Affairs Committee. She also serves as Vice President and Director on Board of Trustees of the American Board of Endodontics and is a diplomate. She is an honorary member and examiner for the Indian Board of Endodontics. Dr. Kohli maintains multiple private practice locations limited to Endodontics in Pennsylvania, USA.

		Mark Odom, D.D.S. Endo Plus Track Co-Organizer Dr. Odom grew up in north Louisiana on a cattle farm. He a graduated from Louisiana Tech with a BS in animal science and then obtained his DDS and certificate in Endodontics from LSUHSC. Dr. Odom established a private practice in Cary NC where he practiced for 32 years. Dr. Odom was active in Cary Central Rotory during his time in Cary, NC. In 2017, Dr. Odom and his wife, Dr Karen Bruggers returned to New Orleans after selling their practices, to join the faculty at LSU Health Dental School where Dr. Odom served as the Chair of the Department of Endodontics until September of 2024, when he retired from full time teaching. He remains a gratis faculty member of LSU Health Dental in the Department of Endodontics. Dr. Odom has been a long standing member of the AAE where he has served on many committees including the AAE Board of Directors and the AAE Foundation Board of Directors. He has many hobbies , hunting ,golf, hiking, wood working, to name a few. He and Dr Bruggers have one daughter, Sarah who is also an LSU Health graduate and is a Physician Assistant in North Carolina.

		Frank Setzer, D.MD, PhD, MS Surgical Root Canal Therapy Track Co-Organizer Frank C Setzer received his dental and doctoral degree from the Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany in 1995 and 1998; and his Endodontic specialty certificate, MS in Oral Biology and DMD from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA in 2006, 2008, and 2010, respectively. He is currently an Associate Professor of Endodontics at the University of Pennsylvania, serving as Predoctoral Director in Endodontics. His research interests are the clinical detection, prognosis and assessment of periradicular pathology, in particular apical periodontitis, utilizing CBCT imaging and Artificial Intelligence, as well as endodontic microsurgery. Dr. Setzer is a dental faculty member of OKU, a member of the American Association of Endodontists AAE, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics ABE. In addition, he is Associate Editor for Journal of Endodontics and the European Endodontic Journal and serves on several others editorial review boards.

		Mark Sullivan, D.D.S. Practice Management Track Co-Organizer Dr. Mark Sullivan is an endodontist with The Dental Specialists, a multispecialty group practice in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. He attended The University of Iowa College of Dentistry for dental school and endodontic residency. He has been with The Dental Specialists for nine years and is one of the Practice Management track organizers for AAE25.

		Gail Tischke, D.D.S., M.S. Emerging Trends Track Co-Organizer Dr Tischke is a native of Michigan, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Kettering University while working at Buick Motor Division. Upon graduation, Dr. Tischke served in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Aviator, completing two deployments and accumulating over 150 carrier arrested landings. She then served in the Illinois National Guard as a student recruiter while attending the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry where she earned her DDS degree. While in dental school she was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Operative Dentistry award from the Academy of Operative Dentistry. Dr Tischke retired from the military after 24 years of service and was in private practice for 5 years prior to beginning her postgraduate specialty training at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry. While there she earned her specialty certificate in Endodontics and her MS in Oral Sciences. She is a Board Certified Endodontist earning her the title of Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. Outside of the office, Dr Tischke enjoys spending time with her husband Jim, their four adult children and their dog Toby. Her biggest priority is making memories with her family and friends.

		Helen Yang Meyer, D.MD, M.S. Emerging Trends Track Co-Organizer Dr. Helen Yang Meyer received her D.M.D. degree from Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 2016 and certificate in endodontics from University of Illinois at Chicago in 2019. She served as the chair of the Residents and New Practitioner Committee for the American Association of Endodontists from 2019-2020, and remains active in the AAE and her dental society's local chapter. She lives in Colorado Springs and enjoys spending free time with her husband Max exploring Colorado's great outdoors.