Legacy Society

Alexandria, Va., USA – The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) is pleased to announce that the AADOCR Legacy Society has been established, thanks to a generous legacy gift from longstanding members Sharon Grayden and Stephen Bayne, who is also an AADOCR Past President. The AADOCR Legacy Society consists of individuals who have committed future assets, through estate and planned giving, to AADOCR, thereby ensuring support for future initiatives and growth of the Association.

“It is our intention to move forward with a legacy gift to the American Association for Dental Research,” said AADOCR donors Sharon Grayden and Stephen Bayne (wife and husband). “The Association has been an important part of our personal history and successes. We want the best possible future for everyone involved and we have complete confidence that the legacy gift will be used wisely.” The generous gift from the Sharon Grayden and Stephen Bayne trust is to be used by AADOCR for unrestricted use.

“AADOCR is the professional organization best positioned to support and represent the oral health research community, and the Association places particular emphasis in developing the next generation of a diverse biomedical research workforce,” said AADOCR President Jack L. Ferracane. “We are honored and extend our gratitude to Sharon Grayden and Past President Stephen Bayne for their substantial commitment to the Association, which will enable AADOCR to work toward its mission of advancing research and increasing knowledge for the improvement of oral health.”

Alexandria, Va., USA – The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) is pleased to announce that longtime member Dr. Sheila M. Riggs and Mr. Scott A. Riggs have generously committed a $50,000 estate gift to AADOCR and become the second members of the AADOCR Legacy Society. The $50,000 gift is unrestricted in use.

The AADOCR Legacy Society consists of individuals who have committed future assets, through estate and planned giving, to AADOCR, thereby ensuring support for future initiatives and growth of the Association. It was established in 2016, thanks to a generous legacy gift from longstanding members Sharon K. Grayden and AADOCR Past President Stephen C. Bayne.

Dr. Sheila Riggs, an Associate Professor and the Chair of the Department of Primary Dental Care at the University of Minnesota, School of Dentistry, Minneapolis, is recognized as an academic and policy leader with an established record in developing and implementing innovative results through a balanced portfolio of peer-reviewed research and hands-on community engagement. She has navigated a uniquely influential career as a dentist, epidemiologist, academic, corporate executive and policy advocate. Dr. Riggs currently serves on the AADOCR Development Committee and as Secretary and Councilor of the AADOCR Minnesota Section.

While Mr. Scott A. Riggs is not in healthcare, he is inspired by the stories Sheila shares about breakthroughs in dental research. "I knew little about the creation of new healthcare knowledge before meeting Sheila,” said Mr. Riggs. “But my eyes have become open to how important it is to effectively improve our nation's health."

“We extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Sheila M. Riggs and Mr. Scott A. Riggs for this substantial, charitable gift to the AADOCR,” said AADOCR President Mark Herzberg, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. “This gift will enable AADOCR to continue working towards its mission to drive dental, oral and craniofacial research to advance health and well-being as AADOCR enters its 50^th Anniversary in 2022.”

Alexandria, VA – The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) is pleased to announce that longtime member Marcelo W. B. Araujo has become the newest member of the AADOCR Legacy Society with a planned gift to AADOCR and a generous annual donation, both in support of the new AADOCR Travel Award for New Clinical Investigators.

The award was created to encourage new investigators to travel to and submit their research at the AADOCR Annual Meeting. Individuals conducting clinical research in any of the dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) research areas are eligible to apply.

The award is supported by a generous annual donation from Marcelo W.B. Araujo, Dean of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in New York. Araujo was an international student in 1997 at the University at Buffalo where he received his MS in Oral Sciences, followed by a Clinical Research and Teaching Fellowship in Periodontology, and a PhD in Epidemiology. He served as Chair of the AADOCR Ethics on Dental Research Committee in 2023-24.

The goal of the award is to encourage new investigators to undertake DOC research and facilitate their presentation of this work to the U.S and international DOC research community. Araujo’s pledged annual support for this award provides three travel awards in the amount of $2,000 each for travel expenses to present at the AADOCR Annual Meetings. The first award recipients will be announced at the IADR/AADOCR/CADR General Session & Exhibition in San Diego, CA, March 25-28, 2026.