As many of you know, Dr. Tom Southard will retire this November after devoting the past thirty-two years to the Department of Orthodontics. During this time, Tom has given our department his undivided attention, 7-days-per-week. His abilities as a teacher and clinician are unparalleled in education. As department chairman, he left the department in its strongest financial position in history. Tom, as a team developer, has recruited and developed one of the most well-respected departments and most sought-after researchers in education. He is known for placing his residents, faculty and patients equally as #1. He developed a department that is known for having a positive culture for colleagues to succeed, and quality patient care that offers cutting edge treatment choices for all. Tom will continue to volunteer his time in the department throughout the year one day per week.
Dr. Karin Southard has also served the department over the past 32 years. Karin, known by residents for her natural abilities as a teacher and clinician, worked tirelessly as a course director teaching Control Theory, Cephalometrics, Current Topics and Journal Club. Those who were fortunate enough to have her as a thesis director, know that she dedicated countless hours to editing and helping each resident feel pride in their final research thesis. Karin has always been and is highly regarded with respect to her ability to diagnose and treat some of the most challenging cases. Her results speak for themselves. Karin’s residents, without hesitation, are grateful for her positive teaching style and ability to remember most every detail about her patients.
Considering Tom and Karin’s achievements, neither will take credit without acknowledging the support of the other. They not only make a terrific team in marriage, but as partners and leaders in education. During their tenure, Tom and Karin have educated over 160 Iowa graduates.
In our effort to celebrate the Southard legacy in perpetuity, we have established Tom and Karin Southard Orthodontic Excellence Fund. With a $1,500,000 goal, the purpose of this fund is to support the University of Iowa’s Orthodontic Department teaching, research, and service missions. Our orthodontic department is peerless in orthodontic resident education and we plan to build on that tradition. We are leaders in ground-breaking research being conducted in the areas of genetics, craniofacial anomalies, and temporomandibular joint degeneration, to name a few. We strive to provide service in terms of continuing education, care of patients with severe craniofacial anomalies, and care of patients on state assistance. Your support will directly support the Department in achieving success of these missions.
We are grateful to Clayton and Kimberly Parks for kicking off the endowed Tom and Karin Southard Orthodontics Excellence fundraising effort this summer. This fundraising effort has a $1.5M goal and will provide unrestricted support to enhance the teaching, research, and service missions of the Department of Orthodontics at the University.
Dr. Parks is a lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids. He is partner in Parks, Schmit & Fuller Orthodontics with four practices throughout the Cedar Rapids/Marion area. He serves as Visiting Assistant Professor at the College of Dentistry on a 20% appointment. He also serves as Secretary/Treasurer for the Iowa Association of Orthodontists. Clayton and his wife, Kimberly, have two grown children, John, and Lindsay, and live in rural Cedar Rapids with their two Australian Shepherds.
