WVU Dentistry’s Dr. Peter Ngan named Branson-Maddrell Endowed Professor in Orthodontics

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Peter Ngan, D.M.D., chair of the West Virginia University School of Dentistry Department of Orthodontics, has been installed as the inaugural Branson-Maddrell Endowed Professor in Orthodontics.

The professorship was established by Princeton, W.Va., residents Cynthia Branson, D.D.S., an orthodontist, and her husband Philip Branson, M.D., an orthopaedic surgeon, who are both graduates of Northwestern University. When their alma mater closed its dental school in 2001, Dr. Cynthia Branson became concerned about the future of dental education and took action to support the only dental school in her adopted home state.

Dr. John and Beverly Maddrell, Cynthia Branson’s parents, also contributed to the endowment. Dr. Maddrell is a retired orthodontist.

“My father and I have always felt blessed to have had the opportunity to practice orthodontics. Our ability to give something back to our profession is a blessing,” Cynthia Branson said. “We know that Dr. Ngan has been a fantastic orthodontic chairman and will put the gift to good use.”

“We are pleased that Dr. Peter Ngan has been chosen to hold the faculty’s first-ever endowed professorship in orthodontics. Dr. Ngan’s contributions to the School over his 20-year tenure are literally immeasurable, and he is most deserving of this distinct honor,” Anthony “Tom” Borgia, D.D.S., interim dean of the WVU School of Dentistry, said. “We are grateful to the Bransons for their generosity and support of the School of Dentistry.”

Ngan joined the WVU School of Dentistry faculty in 1994. He received his dental degree from the Harvard University School of Dental Medicine and certificates in orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and hospital dentistry from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine/ Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

He has published more than 135 original research and clinical papers in refereed journals and 160 abstracts, including contributions in several monographs and textbooks. He has been invited to lecture at various professional organizations in 35 countries. His focus is in the early treatment of dental and skeletal malocclusions, and his research interest includes growth and development, biology of tooth movement, dentofacial orthopaedics, orthodontic appliance therapy, oral implantology, orthodontic bonding systems, and adult interdisciplinary treatment.

Ngan is a fellow of the American College of Dentists, a fellow of the International College of Dentists, and a fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. He is also a member of the Angle East (Eastern Component of the Edward H. Angle Society), the International Association for Dental Research, the American Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists, the European Orthodontic Society, Orthodontics: The Art and Practice of Dentofacial Enhancement, the American Association of Dental Schools, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Society of Dentistry for Children, the American Association for Dental Research, and the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association.

“The endowed fund will help the Department of Orthodontics to nurture young faculty in research and education. This is a timely gift for the School of Dentistry because of the diminishing support from the state. The Branson-Maddrell Endowment will allow faculty to conduct research and to attend and present at research meetings,” Ngan said. “I am honored to be selected as the first holder of this professorship and appreciate the Bransons’ support of the Department and the School.”

Ngan was officially installed as the Branson-Maddrell Endowed Professor in Orthodontics at a ceremony held on Friday, Sept. 12 at the WVU Erickson Alumni Center.

Photo caption: Peter Ngan, D.M.D., chair of the WVU Department of Orthodontics (center), was celebrated on Friday, Sept. 12 during a ceremony in honor of his being named the Branson-Maddrell Endowed Professor in Orthodontics. Among those on hand to recognize Dr. Ngan were (left to right) his mentor, Stephen Wei, D.D.S., from Hong Kong, and Anthony “Tom” Borgia, D.D.S., interim dean of the WVU School of Dentistry.