The School of Dental Medicine is grateful to Edward M. McFarland III, DMD, MSD (DMD ’73, ORTHO ’78), who has given a generous gift to the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. The donation is in honor of McFarland’s father, Edward McFarland Jr. (DDS ’42), who taught restorative dentistry at Pitt Dental Medicine before he enlisted in the Marine Corps and fought in World War II.
In recognition of the gift, the school has renamed the reception area of the Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics the McFarland Reception Area. The space showcases a plaque with a picture of his father and a letter his father wrote to his dental classmates while he was serving in the South Pacific.
In the letter, the elder McFarland describes the dire conditions he experienced while serving in Saipan and Tinian during World War II: “I’ve got some more fighting to do before I come home and I’m hoping that the odds hold out. I’m getting quite deft at giving general anesthesia and also taking out impactions, which a fellow has to do, as there is no one else here to do them.”
McFarland, an adjunct professor at the University of North Carolina Graduate School of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, is proud that the gift simultaneously honors his father and his mentors at Pitt Dental Medicine. “Orthodontics is just an amazing profession on so many levels. The University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine Graduate School of Orthodontics gave me an opportunity to have a career in this wonderful profession,” he said. “Dr. Edward Forrest and Dr. Viken Sassouni were forethinkers of their time. Dr. Thomas Braun did all my orthognathic cases to perfection over my career. He was a rare individual with phenomenal individual achievements academically in every category that exists but always gave credit to others. Giving back is the least I can do after a long and satisfying career.”
McFarland also cited the department’s current chair or helping to inspire the gift. “Interacting with Dr. Wellington Rody and his residents confirms what an outstanding program it is. Meeting him and his residents recently while giving numerous seminars has motivated me to give back as an alumnus,” McFarland said.
Rody said he is highly focused on keeping orthodontic alumni engaged with the school, with each other and with current students and residents. He believes that a close relationship with orthodontic alumni is not only important to the department but also the profession. He recently launched the University of Pittsburgh Orthodontic Network to unite generations of Pitt Dental Medicine orthodontic alumni. The network promotes mentorship to orthodontic residents, networking and professional development.
“It is heartwarming to see Dr. McFarland honor his father in this way. It reminds me of how proud I continue to be of our alumni community and their commitment to support the growth of our programs through such personal and meaningful gifts,” Dean Marnie Oakley said.
There are numerous ways you can show your support to the Pitt Dental Medicine Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, and you can also join the University of Pittsburgh Orthodontic Network.
Gift made by:
Edward M. McFarland III, DMD, MSD (DMD ’73, ORTHO ’78)
Adjunct Professor at the University of North Carolina
Graduate School of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics