2021 AAP Foundation Kramer Award goes to Amanda Morris

Kristen Zapata

August 30, 2021

Amanda Morris, DMD, has been selected as the 2021 awardee of the Dr. and Mrs. Gerald M. Kramer Scholar Award for Excellence by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) Foundation.

This highly esteemed award recognizes a periodontal resident who has demonstrated a personal motivation for excellence in character and academic achievement. As this year’s awardee, Dr. Morris has upheld personal integrity through leadership, community involvement, and a genuine concern for others in need.

During the AAP’s 107th Annual Meeting this November, Dr. Morris will be on the agenda as a guest speaker and will also be presented with a $10,000 award.

Angela Palaiologou-Gallis, DDS, MS, professor and director of the Graduate Program in Periodontics, was delighted to hear of Dr. Morris’ personal achievement and her inclusion to the long line of School of Dentistry Kramer awardees.

“Only one out of 58 residency programs receive this award every year,” she said. “In the 25 years this award has been given by the Foundation, our residents have won nine times. That’s an unmatched record of success and is a testament to the character of the men and women who join our periodontics program, and I am truly honored to be part of this amazing department.”

To give a little more perspective, Dr. Palaiologou-Gallis mentioned that the residency program with the second highest success rate has three award winners.

Dr. Morris’ win this year and Dr. Adam Saltz’ win in 2020, makes this the second time in the award’s history that recipients from UT Health San Antonio have been selected in consecutive years. Dr. Mary Beth Neill and Dr. Christopher Richardson were selected as Kramer award recipients in 1997 and 1998, respectively.

The School of Dentistry would like to congratulate Dr. Morris, Dr. Palaiologou-Gallis, Dr. Brian Mealey, and all the residents, faculty, and staff of the Department of Periodontics.