Dr. John E. Peterson receives Distinguished Alumnus Award

John E. Peterson, SD'70, MS'78, professor, pediatric dentistry (left), receives the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Anthony Zuccarelli, PhD, interim dean, Graduate School. Richard Hart, MD, MPH, chancellor, LLU, is in the background.

John E. Peterson, SD'70 , MS'78 professor, pediatric dentistry and orthodontics; and director, advanced education program in pediatric dentistry, received the Graduate School Distinguished Alumnus Award during Graduate School commencement ceremonies on Sunday, June 13.

Dr. Peterson's interest in children's health began during his dental school years, and he pursued that interest by enrolling in the pediatric dentistry residency program at UCLA. Two years after returning to the School of Dentistry on the faculty of pediatric dentistry, he entered the graduate program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, completing the program in 1978. During his residency he continued to teach in pediatric dentistry, serving as chair of the department from 1976 to 1992.

Because of his interest in physically disadvantaged children he was invited in 1974 by Dr. Willard Centerwall, director, LLUMC craniofacial team, to participate in treating children with various craniofacial anomalies. This led in 1993 to his appointment as associate director of the craniofacial team, a position he currently fills.

In 1990, Dr. Peterson and David Rynearson, SD'71, MS'87, associate professor, orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics, began planning for a clinic in the School where children with craniofacial anomalies could be treated. The difference he has made in the lives of children with physical disabilities cannot be measured.

For his commitment to and innovative participation in the care of disadvantaged children, and in recognition of his lifetime of service, Dr. Peterson was chosen to receive the Graduate School Distinguished Alumnus Award.