Faculty, students, and staff say 'thank you'
to Dr. Ellstrom for his generous service

Dr. Merv Ellstrom and his wife, Karen, were honored during a special thank-you luncheon on August 25.

On August 25, faculty, staff, and residents from the pediatric dentistry department gathered for a luncheon thanking Merv Ellstrom, SD '75, for his contributions to the department.

Dr. Ellstrom lectures to second-year dental students and teaches in their lab. For more than 25 years, he has also volunteered in the pediatric dental clinic.

In addition, intricate bronze sculptures he created (including a bust of Dr. Wilfred A. Nation, chair of the department from 1992 to 1996), adorn the pediatric dental clinic.

(Clockwise from center): Drs. Sunil Ilapogu, resident; Eddie Lopez, resident; John Peterson, director, advanced education program in pediatric dentistry; and Todd Milledge, associate professor, pediatric dentistry, were among those thanking Dr. Ellstrom for his contributions to the pediatric dentistry department and clinic.

“When they learned of this luncheon,” says Dr. Bonnie Nelson, chair, pediatric dentistry, “many people thought it was a going-away luncheon. Dr. Ellstrom is not leaving—we just wanted to honor him.”

Drs. John Peterson, director, advanced education program in pediatric dentistry, and Todd Milledge, associate professor, pediatric dentistry, also thanked Dr. Ellstrom for his generous service.

Dr. Ellstrom was given a hardwood chair carved with the LLU logo, and his wife, Karen, was given a bouquet of flowers.

 

Dr. Merv Ellstrom poses with a chair with the University seal, a gift to him by the pediatric dentistry department	Faculty, staff, and residents from the pediatric dentistry program gather to honor Dr. Ellstrom.