THE ART OF DENTISTRY - School of Dental Medicine - Case ...

THE VALLERAS: FIRST-GENERATION SUCCESS
Education was a priority growing up in the Vallera household in Steubenville, Ohio.
“Our parents never attended college, but were determined to see that their three
children were afforded that privilege,” says John J. Vallera, D.D.S. ’84. His sisters,
Joann Vallera, D.D.S. ’92, and Janice Vallera Yanni, D.D.S. ’99, agree.
John discovered his passion “during my high school years, when I became very interested
in the health sciences. Dentistry seemed very appealing to me as it would allow me to
provide direct patient care in both a scientific/diagnostic and artistic manner. I relished
the challenge of being able to alleviate pain while creating attractive smiles for patients.
“I found myself in the favorable position of being able to choose from a handful of
dental schools,” he continues. “My visit to CWRU left me with a profound impression.
The chance to provide direct patient care in the first year was too good to pass up. The
doctors and administrative/faculty members who interviewed me made me feel very
welcome, especially Philip Aftoora, the Director of Admissions at that time.”
Joann became interested in dentistry thanks to John. “I grew up without the benefits
of fluoride,” she explains. “John needed patients [for clinicals] and I needed dental
work, so that's how I was introduced to the profession. It was amazing to watch my
brother fabricate my gold crown by hand then insert it into my mouth the next day.
It's still fine 20-plus years later!”
Adds John, “Joann and Janice spent hours in the [CWRU] clinics on several occasions.
I feel this first-hand exposure had an impact on their decision to pursue a career in
dentistry. Once they reached that decision, to be honest, other dental schools were not
even considered. Joann’s uncanny ability to net extremely high scores on college entrance
examinations—plus a very high GPA—secured her entry into dental school straight
out of high school. Janice applied early to dental school and earned her undergraduate
and dental degrees in seven years.
John J. Vallera, D.D.S. ’84; Janice Vallera Yanni, D.D.S. ’99;
Joann Vallera, D.D.S. ’92; and Steven Landman, D.D.S. ’92
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“I always knew both my sisters looked
up to me,” he says, “but the sense of
pride, respect and happiness that I felt
when dentistry became a reality for
both of them was enormous. I felt like
I made a difference in someone's life
in an extremely positive manner.”
In following her brother to CWRU,
Joann met her husband, Steven J.
Landman, D.D.S. ’92. Joann and
Steven have triplets (4 years of age)
so they are busy raising the next
generation of CWRU alums.
Marion ’80 and Erica Wazney ’05
“I love the flexibility the dental field offers
for our family,” says Joann. “I also love
the aspects of owning and managing our
practices. My husband and I have offices
in Connecticut and Massachusetts.”
John presented Joann with her diploma,
“a day surpassed only when Janice
graduated. Janice, an orthodontist with
offices in Connecticut and Massachusetts,
“has surpassed us all,” says Joann, “and
we are so very proud of her. On the day
John, Steve and I presented Janice with
her diploma, our mother was in the crowd
with tears in her eyes. And our father was
smiling down from heaven. I think that
sums up family and dentistry for me!”
John and his wife Susan “hope that one
or both of our children, Megan and Brian,
will have the opportunity to attend the
School of Dental Medicine. My greatest
honor would be to present my children with
a dental diploma from CWRU,” he says.