Dr. and Mrs. Gerald M. Kramer Scholar Award for Excellence

One $10,000 award is presented annually to a third-year periodontal resident who demonstrates excellence in both character and academic achievement.

The Kramer Scholar Award was established to honor the contributions of periodontal leader and legend, Dr. Gerald M. Kramer, and his wife Sylvia. The Kramer Award celebrates their lifelong commitment to personal and professional excellence by recognizing and rewarding these virtues in future periodontal leaders. The award was the first named scholarship opportunity to be announced by the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation. Candidates should demonstrate a personal motivation for excellence in both character and academic achievement. Personal integrity, as exemplified by leadership, community involvement, and concern for the needs of others are considered.

Eligibility

Applicants must be in their third year of an accredited periodontal program within the US and must be nominated by the department chair.

Immediate family members of the Foundation Board of Directors, officers, and selection committee members are not eligible to apply.

Application and Selection Procedure

The recipient is selected by an award committee appointed by the AAP Foundation president. Finalists are required to attend a personal interview with the selection committee, conducted via videoconference.

Application Deadline

May 15, 2027
Payment Schedule

A single $10,000 payment is made in February following the award presentation at the AAP Annual Meeting.
Founded

1997

“Dr. Kramer lived his life in pursuit of excellence and reminded us to stay curious, to teach what we have learned, and to use our gifts to serve others. This award is as relevant today as it was 30 years ago.”

Mary Beth Neill,
University of Texas San Antonio

1997 Recipient – Dr. and Mrs. Gerald M. Kramer Scholar Award for Excellence

Donor

Friends and Colleagues of the Kramers

The AAP Foundation is grateful to the hundreds of donors who have supported this award.

Dr. Gerald M. Kramer was an internationally renowned practitioner, teacher and lecturer–a lifelong champion of continuing education and excellence in dentistry. In addition to maintaining a private practice in Swampscott, Massachusetts, for 45 years, Dr. Kramer shared his broad knowledge with others during his tenure as professor and chairman of the Department of Periodontics at Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry and, later, in his role as co-director of the Institute of Advanced Dental Studies and co-editor of the International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry. He received numerous distinguished awards including the Master Clinician Award and the Gold Medal Award, presented to him by the American Academy of Periodontology. But, when asked of his proudest accomplishment, Dr. Kramer spoke of the number of students he had the privilege of teaching; he helped train more than 400 periodontists. He felt the accomplishments of his students would be his legacy to dentistry. Equally important, throughout his long and distinguished career, Dr. Kramer relied on the unwavering support and counsel of his wife, Sylvia. Students and professionals benefited from her genuine interest in them and her warm hospitality. She was a motivating force for Dr. Kramer and an indispensable partner. In honor of their life of service, family members, friends and colleagues of the Kramers were proud to create this scholarship.

Selection Committee

Yousuf Al-Aboosi
Adam Saltz
Martinna Bertolini
Amanda B. Morris
Aly Kennedy

Recipients

2026	Sara Khraibut, Virginia Commonwealth University
2025	Claire C. Coleman, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
2024	Francis Keeling, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
2023	Julia Lacy, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
2022	Larissa Steigmann, University of Michigan
2021	Amanda B. Morris, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
2020	Adam Saltz, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
2019	Yousuf Al-Aboosi, University of Alabama at Birmingham
2018	Elissa Beth Green, University of California, Los Angeles
2017	Daniel I. Sabra, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
2016	Frederico Ausenda, Tufts University
2015	Jeffrey J. McCullough, University of California, Los Angeles
2014	Lillie Pitman, University of Alabama at Birmingham
2013	Darron Alvord, Georgia Regents University
2012	Lauren Elizabeth Anderson, University of Michigan
2011	Thomas Sterio, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
2010	Evelyn Huaman, University of California, Los Angeles
2009	Sarvenaz Angha, University of California, Los Angeles
2008	Thomas Johnson, Army Postgraduate Dental School
2007	Eric Kerr, University of Texas San Antonio
2006	Doina Panaite, University of California, Los Angeles
2005	Heather Ridgway, University of Texas San Antonio
2004	J. Eric Herrington, University of Alabama
2003	Stephen P. Russo, University of North Carolina
2002	Robert DePoi, Indiana University
2001	Diego Velasquez-Plata, University of Texas San Antonio
2000	Jeffrey Kopman, Harvard School of Dental Medicine
1999	Stephen Meraw, Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education
1998	Christopher Richardson, University of Texas San Antonio
1997	Mary Beth Neill, University of Texas San Antonio