BCD Dr. Kessler named president of pathology board

(DALLAS) — Dr. Harvey Kessler, associate professor of diagnostic sciences and director of the Division of Pathology at the Texas A&M Health Science Center Baylor College of Dentistry, was elected to a one-year term as president of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology in October 2006.

Dr. Kessler’s role as president culminates seven years of service on the board of directors, which also includes four years as secretary-treasurer of the organization. He has been a diplomate of the board since 1982.

The ABOMP was established in 1950 by the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and serves as the certifying organization for oral and maxillofacial pathologists in North America.

“I can say without reservation that serving as a director of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology has been the highlight of my professional career,” Dr. Kessler said. “Being entrusted by my colleagues with the responsibility of certifying individuals as experts within our specialty is, to me, the ultimate compliment.”

“While it has been exceedingly difficult work at times, it is also extraordinarily rewarding,” Dr. Kessler continued. “As the president in this, my final year as a director, I look forward to leading a tremendous group of professional and dedicated individuals. My only regret is knowing that in October my term will expire and my tenure as a director will be completed.”

A 1974 graduate of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Dr. Kessler earned a master’s degree in oral biology from George Washington University. He completed training in oral and maxillofacial pathology at the U.S. Army Institute of Dental Research and the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology.

Dr. Kessler’s career in the U.S. Army spanned 24 years before he retired with the rank of colonel in 1998. At that time, he was serving as chairman of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and deputy director of AFIP.

Dr. Kessler joined HSC-BCD in 2001 after spending three years on the faculty at the University of Florida College of Dentistry.

Founded in 1905, Baylor College of Dentistry at Dallas is a component of the Texas A&M Health Science Center. HSC-BCD is a nationally recognized center for oral health sciences education, research, specialized patient care and continuing dental education.

The Texas A&M Health Science Center provides the state with health education, outreach and research. Its six components located in communities throughout Texas are Baylor College of Dentistry, the College of Medicine, the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Institute of Biosciences and Technology, the Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy, and the School of Rural Public Health.