Peter Ngan, DMD, a longtime leader, educator, and clinician at the West Virginia University School of Dentistry, was honored as the Dr. Thomas Arkle III Chair of Orthodontics during an investiture ceremony on Friday (Sept. 11) morning.
The celebration was attended by the School’s orthodontic faculty, residents, and alumni, University leadership, and Dr. Ngan’s colleagues and family as they recognized his leadership, scholarship, and contributions to the field of orthodontics.
The Dr. Thomas Arkle III Chair of Orthodontics is the first named chair position in the School of Dentistry. During the ceremony, Stephen Pachuta, DDS, dean of the School of Dentistry, recognized the impact of this investment in the department and the investment Ngan has made in others through his commitment to service.
“We all have our own personal stories of how we got our start in the profession and how the profession impacted our lives and our journeys,” Dr. Pachuta said. “Peter never once took the opportunity to further his education and enter our profession for granted. He understood the value of hard work and the importance of commitment to service and support of others. These are fundamental values that he still carries with him today.”
In his remarks, Ngan stressed the importance of service and recognized those who have supported him in his career.
“This endowment is not about me,” Ngan said. “It's about everybody in this room, and it's about the citizens of West Virginia and beyond. It's about the next generation of orthodontists who will be trained under our program. It's about the faculty we can recruit for the department. It's about the relationships that we treasure. And more importantly, it's about the dreams that we follow in doing things that really matter to our life.”
The ceremony also included remarks from WVU Health Sciences Chancellor and Executive Dean Clay Marsh, MD, and Professor Robert Wanker, DDS.
Ngan has led the Department of Orthodontics since 1994 and has been dedicated to the education and success of orthodontic residents and the improvement of oral health outcomes for patients.
He is an honorary professor at the University of Hong Kong and a guest professor at the Wuhan University School of Stomatology. Ngan holds a dental degree from Harvard University and certificates in orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and hospital dentistry from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine/Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Ngan is a member and immediate past president of the Angle East Orthodontic Society, and he is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, and Pierre Fauchard Academy.
The Dr. Thomas Arkle III Chair of Orthodontics was established through a total of $2 million in giving by 1978 graduate Dr. Tom Arkle. The gift was made to strengthen education for future generations of residents enrolled in the school’s postgraduate orthodontics program.
After identifying some of the greatest financial challenges in oral health education, Arkle determined a donation to support leadership recruitment would be most impactful.
The endowment shall provide a broad range of faculty support for research, teaching, and service, including but not limited to supplemental compensation, travel, research, technology enhancements, library resources, and staff/student support.
The former owner of Arkle & Harris Orthodontics spent 32 years practicing orthodontics in North Carolina and retired in 2015. He is a member of the WVU School of Dentistry Pylons Alliance Loyalty Society and previously served on the WVU Foundation Board of Directors.
Arkle’s gifts were made through the WVU Foundation, the nonprofit organization that receives and administers private donations on behalf of the University. Individuals and businesses interested in supporting the WVU School of Dentistry should contact Director of Development Dee O’Palko at 304-413-5049 or dopalko@wvuf.org. Gifts to the WVU School of Dentistry can also be made online at give.wvu.edu/dentistry.
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