Einstein Orthodontics Summer 2021

Meet the Orthodontic Residents of The Maxwell S. Fogel
Department of Dental Medicine
Michael Kotecki, DDS
Originally from Raleigh, NC, Dr. Kotecki
completed dental school with an Army
HPSP scholarship at Columbia University
where he met his wife Alexandra. Dr.
Kotecki practiced general dentistry in
the Army for three years before coming
to Einstein for his orthodontic residency.
During that time, he watched his wife
become an orthodontist and begin a practice
with her father. This, when combined with the
positive impact of orthodontics on his own family –
he had braces at the same time as his dad and brother – solidified
his interest in the specialty. Dr. Kotecki lives in Center City and enjoys
trying new restaurants, working out, and playing sports.
Mordy Fried, DDS
A husband and the father of two daughters,
Dr. Fried attended the University of
Pennsylvania where he received both
a bachelor’s and master’s degree in
Bioengineering in addition to his dental
degree. Dr. Fried sees orthodontics as
“engineering of the mouth” where he
uses biomechanics and biomaterials to
help patients find the best, most efficient
solutions to their dental needs. He feels that
each patient’s case is like a puzzle and enjoys
building patient relationships throughout the course of their treatment.
Following graduation, Dr. Fried would like to work in private practice
and eventually teach part-time in an orthodontic residency program.
Justin Middleberg, DDS
A Philadelphia native, Dr. Middleberg grew
up with many family and friends involved
in dentistry and chose to specialize in
orthodontics because it gives him the
opportunity to combine two things he
really enjoys - mentoring kids and helping
adults. After completing dental school at
Temple University’s Kornberg School of
Dentistry, Dr. Middleberg chose Einstein’s
orthodontic residency based on the strength of
its program and faculty. He’d like to enter private
practice after completing his residency and hopes to return to Einstein
someday as an attending physician. In his spare time, Dr. Middleberg
enjoys being active, going to the beach, traveling, and photography.
Madeline Pitz, DDS
Gannon Van Allen, DDS
Dr. Van Allen had the
unique privilege
of working for his
orthodontist following
his own treatment
as a teenager.
This mentorship
was instrumental
in his decision to
pursue orthodontics.
He quickly realized the
field would challenge him with the complexity of
treatment planning, while offering the reward of
helping patients. Following his graduation from the
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
College of Dentistry, Dr. Van Allen spent four years
as a lieutenant in the US Navy providing general
dentistry. He then chose to attend Einstein’s
Orthodontic Residency Program for its robust clinical
experience and strong alumni support network. Dr.
Van Allen is a long-distance runner who also enjoys
exploring the outdoors and woodworking.
Yee Seul Chun, DDS
Dr. Pitz was part of a dual degree program at NYU College of Dentistry where she received her
degree in dentistry along with a certificate in Public Health. This allowed her to participate in a
global outreach program providing care for underserved populations. Through her dental training,
Dr. Pitz found she enjoys helping patients improve their self-esteem by perfecting their smiles.
Orthodontics offers a progression of care which evolves over time and allows her to make a
change in each patient’s life. This constant cycle of serving others motivates her to succeed in her
profession every day. Originally from New York, Dr. Pitz enjoys Broadway shows, traveling, trying
new restaurants, reading, cooking, spending time with her family, and practicing yoga.
5
Born with three missing
anterior teeth, Dr.
Chun experienced
first-hand the
positive impact of
experienced dental
care. After graduating
from the University
of Maryland School
of Dental Medicine, Dr.
Chun completed a General
Practice Residency Program at Johns Hopkins
Hospital and then joined the staff as a member
of the general dentistry faculty. When Dr. Chun
decided to pursue orthodontics training, she was
drawn to Einstein after hearing positive feedback
from other Einstein graduates. Everyone she met
during the interview process was so welcoming
and knowledgeable and, she knew she’d made
the right decision. Once travel restrictions ease,
Dr. Chun would like to once again participate
in dental volunteer outreach missions. She also
enjoys hanging out by the water and eating a
great crab cake!
Congratulations to Einstein’s 2021 Top Dentists
Einstein Healthcare Network congratulates its 21 dentists selected
as 2021 Top Dentists by Philadelphia magazine.
Cosmetic Dentistry:
Stephen Gershberg, DMD
Endodontics:
Benedict Bachstein, DMD
Frederic Barnett, DMD,
Chairman, Department
of Dental Medicine
Scott Levy, DDS
Einstein Healthcare Network
Office of Development
Braemer Education Building
5501 Old York Road | Philadelphia, PA 19141
Have exciting news to share?
Want to keep up with fellow Einstein
alumni? Or need to send us your
updated contact information?
Please drop a note to Fran Gress,
Manager of Annual Fund and Alumni
Relations at gressfra@einstein.edu
or call 215-456-6278. Or share your news
at advance.einstein.edu/alumni.
Louis Rossman, DMD
Todd Schultz, DMD
Boryana Stoyanova, DMD
Richard Titlebaum, DMD
General Dentistry:
Joel Davidson, DDS
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery:
David Guba, DMD
Orthodontics:
Steven Cohen, DMD, MSD
Charles Gemmi III, DMD
Peter Greco, DMD
Harold Middleberg, DMD
Kathleen Pale, DMD
Michael David Roth, DDS
Adam Weiss, DMD
Pediatric Dentistry:
Douglas Reich, DMD
Periodontics:
I. Stephen Brown, DDS
Miriam Ting, DMD
Prosthodontics
Andrew Halbert, DDS
Supporting Einstein’s Maxwell S. Fogel Department of Dental Medicine
Gifts to support the Department’s Orthodontic Program directly impact the
training and well-being of our residents. You may make your tax-deductible gift
in support of the program by donating online to Einstein’s Orthodontic Fund at
advance.einstein.edu/alumni or calling 215-456-6278.
Introducing
Einstein Alumni
Connect!
Now you have an easy way to
connect and reconnect with fellow
Einstein residency alumni.
Rediscover old friends, share
photos and stories, network for
jobs and internships or find talent,
there are plenty of reasons to
reach out to fellow Einstein alums.
Visit einstein.alumni.edu
and create your profile using
Facebook, LinkedIn, or email.
For more information or assistance,
please contact Fran Gress at
gressfra@einstein.edu.
Office of Development
Braemer Education Building
5501 Old York Road
Philadelphia, PA 19141
Orthodontic Update | Spring/Summer 2021 | 2
Maxwell S. Fogel Department of Dental Medicine
Orthodontic Update
ISSUE ONE | SUMMER 2021
While the distance learning model was a bit strange at first, Dr. Michael
Roth is pleased to have been able to meet the educational needs of the
orthodontic residents during the pandemic.
Einstein Orthodontic Residency
Program Finds Efficiency in Distance
Learning During Pandemic
When Einstein Healthcare Network’s Alan J. Borislow Division of Orthodontic
Residency Program was forced to shut down in March 2020 due to COVID-19
restrictions, department leadership quickly worked to set the stage for success.
“Drs. Morenzi, Barnett and I sat down to figure out what we needed to make
distance learning successful,” says Dr. Michael Roth, DDS, Associate Program
Director of Einstein’s Orthodontic Residency Program. “We purchased
extra cameras and microphones along with Zoom functionality for the entire
department. Everyone rose to the occasion and said, ‘Yeah, we can do this.’
We began holding distance meetings and classes almost immediately.”
According to Dr. Roth, the residents were also quick to adapt to distance
learning. To keep graduation on schedule, faculty front-loaded the didactic
portion of the curriculum so residents would be able to focus on the clinical
portions as soon as they were allowed back into the hospital.
“They were rock stars,” says Dr. Roth. “They hit the ground running in the
clinic in June. This is post-graduate education – it’s a big deal. The residents
understand the importance of this phase of their training.”
Switching to a distance learning model was a bit strange at first, but faculty
quickly adjusted and even found some advantages along the way.
“We learned early on to have everyone mute their microphones because
background noise can be very distracting,” explains Dr. Roth. “We also had
a few technical glitches with dropped connections and A/V issues, but those
were quickly resolved, and we were even able to successfully administer
exams virtually.
“There was also something very easy and familiar about sharing
a presentation to each person’s screen via Zoom,” Dr. Roth continues. “It
continued on page 4
A Moment of Pride
How someone
responds in a crisis is
not always known until
a crisis presents itself.
It’s in that moment,
where training and
temperment shine
through. This past
year demonstrated our
orthodontic faculty,
staff, and residents
are more than up to a challenge.
Even before Einstein Healthcare Network
decided to, in an abundance of caution,
limit orthodontic care to emergencies, we
were busy problem solving. Our residents
focused initially on PPE shortages, schedule
modifications, and other ways to help on
the front line. Once we went remote, they
seamlessly pivoted to virtual learning.
When they weren’t caring for emergencies,
our faculty was helping to teach remotely. Our
collective goal was to ensure the residents
completed all their didactics and evaluations
before we returned to the clinic in June 2020.
This would allow them the time to finish their
patient cases before graduation.
Members of our alumni network also reached
out with offers of PPE and other in-kind
donations. Some participated on the panels
for competency exams.
You can read a bit more about our
COVID response in this inaugural issue of
Orthodontics Update.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank
Dr. Frederic Barnett for being a visible
leader throughout the pandemic. From
helping enhance the ventilation system to
ensuring faculty, staff, and residents had
the PPE and knowledge they needed to
keep themselves and patients safe, he was
an ever-present force.
Additionally, I would like to recognize the
residents who graduated in 2020 and the
members of the Class of 2022. When they
learned that the incoming residents’ dental
schools had closed, they reached out and
helped prepare them for entrance into
our program.
continued on page 4

Celebrating 100 Years of Leadership
The Maxwell S. Fogel Department of Dental Medicine
From the time it was established, the Maxwell S. Fogel Department of Dental
Medicine has been setting the standard for excellence in dental education
and care. Central to this success are the countless faculty, students, and
alumni whose contributions have allowed us to grow and evolve as the times
and demands have changed. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude
to each of you for your hand in helping us achieve this milestone.
1921
Dr. Leon Levy (Chairman
1921 – 1926) establishes
an organized dental
department.
1926
Dr. Gustav Charles
Tassman named
Department
Chairman. Serves
until 1962.
Dr. Jack
Magill and Dr.
Maxwell Fogel
established the
Department’s
Orthodontic
Residency
Program.
1959
1963
Dr. I. B.
Bender named
Department
Chairman.
Serves until
1971.
Dr. Bender (seated)
with the Orthodontic
Residency
Program’s first
graduates Dr.
Melvin Silverman
and Dr. Alan
Borislow
Ten-chair Paley Building Dental Clinic
is dedicated.
Paley 1 Dental Clinic
1964
The Orthodontic
Residency Program
receives approval from
the American Dental
Association to initiate
training post-doctoral
orthodontic residents.
It’s the nation’s first
accredited, hospitalbased
orthodontic
program.
1966
Paley and Wolgin Buildings’ 2nd floor
Dental Center.
1972
Dr. Maxwell S. Fogel
named Department
Chairman. Serves
until 1978.
He also served as
Chairman of the Division
of Orthodontics (1952-78)
and Orthodontic Program
Director (1964-78).
Dr. I. B. Bender and Dr.
Samuel Seltzer receive
approval to initiate a twoyear
Endodontic Residency
Program. It’s the nation’s first
accredited, hospital-based
endodontic program.
Dr. Samuel Seltzer and
Dr. I.B. Bender
1985
After a successful
Capital Campaign,
the Department
moves to a new
20 operatory,
8,000-square-foot
Dental Center on
the 2nd floor of the
Paley and Wolgin
Buildings.
1980
Dr. Alan Borislow
appointed
Department’s first
full-time Chairman.
He serves in this
role until 2010
but continues as
Orthodontic Division
Chairman and
Residency Program
Director until 2014.
1989
The “Campaign for Dentistry”
raises $1 million. Naming honorees
included: The Maxwell S. Fogel
Department of Dental Medicine,
The I. B. Bender Division of
Endodontics, The Phillip S. Kanev
Division of Restorative Dentistry,
and The Jack M. Magill Orthodontic
Clinical Facility.
Naming Honorees (from left),
Dr. Phillip Kanev, Dr. I.B. Bender,
Dr. Maxwell Fogel, and Dr. Jack Magill.
1993
1995
Dr. Maxwell S. Fogel is
the first dentist to receive
the Albert Einstein Society
Physician Leadership Award.
“A Tradition of
Excellence –
A History of the
Department of
Dental Medicine,
Albert Einstein
Medical Center and
its Predecessor
Institutions,
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania,” is published. It’s
authored by Dr. Milton B. Asbell and
Dr. Alan J. Borislow. Funding is provided
by Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Greenblatt in
memory of Dr. Jacob P. Morrison.
2002
Dr. Alan J. Borislow
is only the second
dentist to receive
the Albert Einstein
Society Physician
Leadership Award in
the Society’s 35-year
history.
2007
2009
2010
Orthodontic clinical facility
renovation, funded by
Orthodontic Resident
alumni and faculty.
Dr. Alan Borislow,
Dr. Michael Roth, Beth
Duffy, Vice President,
Albert Einstein Medical
Center, and Dr. Harold
Middleberg.
General Practice clinical facility
renovation, significantly funded
by alumni and faculty.
Dr. Nina Ghobadi, Susan
Bernini, COO, Albert
Einstein Health Network,
Dr. Frederic Barnett, and
Dr. Andrew Halbert.
Endodontic clinical facility renovation,
funded by Endodontic Residency alumni
and faculty.
continued from page 1
A Moment of Pride
Finally, a heartfelt thank you to our faculty and staff
for their unwavering commitment to our patients
and our program throughout the pandemic.
While this was a challenging time, it has certainly
made us nimbler. It forced us to improve upon
processes and procedures and I believe we’ve
emerged all the better for the experience.
I hope you enjoy reading more about our program
and that you reach out to connect with us. Our
alumni are always welcome. Thank you for your
continued support.
Vanessa Morenzi, DMD
Chair, The Alan J. Borislow Division of Orthodontics
Einstein Healthcare Network
215.456.7104| MorenziV@einstein.edu
Distinguished Einstein Alumnus Finds Joy
in Teaching and Mentorship for 50+ Years
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Alan J. Borislow, DDS, has a long history of
achievement in the fields of dentistry and orthodontics. Dr. Borislow served
as a Captain for the US Army Dental Corps for two years, was part of the first
graduating class of Einstein’s then newly accredited Orthodontic Residency
program in 1967 and operated a successful orthodontic practice in Doylestown
for 18 years. He also served as Chairman of Einstein’s Maxwell S. Fogel
Department of Dental Medicine from 1978-2010 and as Orthodontic Chairman
and Residency Program Director from 1978-2014. Throughout his career he
has been honored with local and national awards too numerous to list.
This long and distinguished career was set-in motion thanks to a conversation
with his next-door neighbor and best friend.
“I always enjoyed science and was studying Liberal Arts as an undergrad at
Temple but was confused about what I wanted to do,” explains Dr. Borislow.
“I asked my best friend what his plans were, and he said he was going to
dental school. I said, ‘sounds like a great idea. I think I’ll do that too.’ It was that
simple. It was a wonderful decision and I’ve never looked back.”
Dr. Borislow says he enjoyed the long-term relationships he established with
his orthodontic patients while helping them improve their self-image over two or
three years of active treatment. Seeing the physical and psychological benefit
to his patients was immensely rewarding.
He’s also been committed to Einstein as a member of the faculty for the
graduate orthodontics program for over fifty years — something he continues to
this day, even in retirement.
“I still enjoy it and I’ve never lost my drive to teach and mentor,” says Dr.
Borislow. “I was fortunate to follow in the footsteps of my mentor, Dr. Fogel, and
to have others committed to maintaining excellence in the program follow me.”
A history buff and amateur photographer, Dr. Borislow recently completed
Dr. David August was
Gary Cohen, Dept. Administrator,
scanning and organizing family photos to build a timeline he can hand down to
the first graduate of the
Dr. Frederic Barnett, Dr. Peter Brothman
his three adult children and four grandchildren. His next endeavor is to collate
Endodontic Residency
and Dr. Alan Borislow
photos from Einstein’s Maxwell S. Fogel Department Orthopedic Medicine of Dental Update Medicine | Spring and 2021 | 6
Program in 1968.
create a visual history of the department.
Dental100.
2 3 6 | Spring/Summer 2021 | Orthodontic Update
4
2011
In recognition of his 30 years of service as
Chairman of the Department, Einstein Medical
Center Philadelphia announces the naming of the
Alan J. Borislow Division of Orthodontics.
Dr. Frederic
Barnett, Dr Alan
Borislow, and
Susan Bernini.
2011
Dr. Frederic
Barnett appointed
Chairman of the
Department while
continuing to serve
as Chairman and
Residency Program
Director of the I.B.
Bender Division of
Endodontics.
To be continued
in our next issue.
Tell us your Einstein
“Dental 100” story!
Looking for then and now tales
and photos to feature in our
“100 Years of Smiles” social
media campaign!
Visit advance.einstein.edu/
continued from page 1
Einstein Orthodontic Residency
Program Finds Efficiency in Distance
Learning During Pandemic
wasn’t much different than giving the same presentation in a
conference room.”
In addition to regular coursework, other distance learning
opportunities presented themselves along the way. Dr. Peter
Greco, one of the Orthodontic attendings, is a member of The
Angle Society of Europe, which offered faculty and residents online
lectures from leaders in the field from around the world, 5 days per
week for 8 weeks.
COVID restrictions also forced changes which had a positive
impact on department and staff meetings.
“Distance meetings force everyone to be more concise,” says
Dr. Roth. “We found our meetings to be much more efficient and
we were able to cover more cases in less time. It seems that
when meetings are held over Zoom or Skype people listen more
and talk less.”
Even in retirement, Dr. Alan J.
Borislow has never lost his drive
to teach and mentor.
“
I always enjoyed science
and was studying Liberal
Arts as an undergrad at
Temple but was confused
about what I wanted to
do. I asked my best friend
what his plans were, and
he said he was going
to dental school. I said,
‘sounds like a great idea.
I think I’ll do that too.’ It
was that simple. It was a
wonderful decision and
I’ve never looked back.””
—Alan J. Borislow, DDS