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NEWS NEWS BRIEFS NAMES IN THE NEWS On Feb 2, 1981, Dr. Thomas Cyril Starshak was presented an Honorary Fel- lowship by the Odontographic Society at its meeting in Chicago. The citation of Honorary Fellowship is the highest honor of the Odontographic Society. Born in Lemont, Ill, on July 9, 1987, Dr. Starshak attended Loyola Universi- ty, and graduated from Northwestern University Dental School in 1920. As a c!inician, lecturer, and writer in endo- ci0ntlcs, he has served in many capaci- ties: chairman of the budget committee, treasurer, and honorary president of the .~,~E. tle has also served as treasurer, p~ident, and director of the Board of the Chicago Dental Society. He was a member of the executive council, treasur- er, and president of the Illinois State Bental Society in 1956. Tom is a member 9 of the Federation Dentaire lnternation- 2, and a fellow of the American College 9 ofDentists and the International College ofDentists. He was made a fellow of the Odonto- graphic Society of Chicago in 1958, and a-few years later, he was elected to the Nard of governors. As chairman of the ~inance committee, his financial ability helped to establish the policy of the Society. lqa_e Odontographic Society honored Dr. Starshak for his dedication and ser- ~ce to dentistry and his devotion to the 0d0ntographic Society of Chicago. Dr. Zurkow Honored by Delaware Colleagues A testimonial dinner was given for Dr. George A. Zurkow last September. Doz- ens of distinguished scientists, scholars, and dentists from Delaware came to honor him for his many contributions to dentistry. Dr. Zurkow has been responsi- ble for the fluoridation of water supplies in the state, which has reduced the inci- dence of tooth decay by more than 60% in the past 20 years. He introduced endodontics to Delaware and was responsible for the dental clinic and den- tal teaching program at the Wilmington Medical Center. As president of the Academy of Medicine in the early 1960s, he established a student financial aid fund that has helped 225 young health professionals. He also established the first training program in Delaware for dental assistants and dental hygienists at the Delaware Technical and Community College. Dr. Zurkow decided to enter dentistry because, he stated, teeth simply do not heal themselves. None of the patients whom a dentist sees would get better without his help. In contrast, Zurkow noted, it has been said that 80% of the patients the average physician sees would get better without the doctor's treat- ment. Dr. Zurkow was the third dental intern at Duke University; he then served in the Army for five years. Later he joined the Dr. Walter Dundon (left) presents Odonto- graphic Soc#ty award to Dr. Thomas Star- shak (right). staff of the Wilmington General l tospital and remained when it merged into the Wilmington Medical Center. In 1972, he was elected director of the Medical Cen- ter's department of dentistry, a position he held until January 1980, when he became head of endodontics. For ten years, Zurkow taught at the University of Maryland Dental School. In 1973, he transferred to the University of Pennsylvania where he continued to teach one day a week. He is also on the National Commission on the Accredita- tion of Dental Practices. Dr. Zurkow believes that the quality of dentistry has changed since World War II. "Dental students are of a higher caliber, dentists are more integrated into the medical profession, and preventive dentistry has advanced to the point that by the next century there will be a vaccine that will prevent dental plaque, virtually eliminating gum disease and tooth decay." Dr. Zurkow's optimism and energy have been significant factors in the quality of heahh in Delaware. Dr. Blayney Honored in Memorial Service The Memorial Committee of the Odontographic Society of Chicago, chaired by Dr. R. C. Van Dam, was held to pay tribute to Dr. J. Roy Blayney, an emeritus member of the society, who died on Nov 22, 1980. A native of Alexis, 111, Dr. Blayney attended Knox College, Lewis Institute, and Northwestern University, School of Dentistry. He received his dental degree in 1913, and his MS degree from tile University of Chicago. After five years in private practice, Dr. Blayney became a teacher and researcher until his retire- ment in 1954. From 1918 to 1936, he served in the Department of Dental Pathology at the University of Illinois, College of Dentistry; eventually he was appointed full professor and department head. In 1936, he founded and became 187
