21 June 2024

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Department of Orthodontics to establish Dr. Roy Gunsolus Endowed Research Fund

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The Roy Gunsolus Endowed Research Acceleration Fund in Orthodontics has been established in honor of the late Dr. Roy Gunsolus by his wife, Barbara Gunsolus. The $100,000 gift from Barbara is in consideration of Dr. Gunsolus’ substantial contributions to the UW School of Dentistry Department of Orthodontics and the field of orthodontics.

Dr. Gunsolus was in private orthodontic practice from 1973 to 2012 but was an associate professor and faculty member in the Graduate Orthodontic Department at the UW from 1983 to 2012, teaching residents 1-2 days per week.

“It is extremely fitting that Roy’s endowment will promote orthodontic research,” said Dr. Greg Huang, the current Chair of the UW Department of Orthodontics and a former student of Dr. Gunsolus’. “Roy spent his entire career investigating ways to make orthodontic treatment better. This fund will help UW faculty continue his legacy of always innovating and always improving patient care.”

“When Roy Gunsolus passed away on September 14, 2021, the world lost a bit of its luster,” said his wife, Barbara. “Despite struggling with Parkinson’s Disease for several years, Roy never stopped affecting lives in a positive way. In honor of his life, the [Gunsolus Endowed Research Fund] has been created to support research activity in the Department of Orthodontics. [Roy] loved orthodontic research and discovery.”

Dr. Gunsolus was born in Bakersfield, California. He received both his undergraduate degree in biology and his dental degree from the University of Washington, completing his DDS in 1969.

He grew up in an armed forces environment, with his father’s military service taking their family to various military facilities during his upbringing. Dr. Gunsolus would spend three years in service himself in Germany before returning for graduate training in orthodontics at the University of California at San Francisco.

“Roy Gunsolus taught with his good friends, Mike Fey and Stan Hall, on Friday mornings in the Graduate Orthodontics Clinic,” said Dr. Huang. “They were all great orthodontists and great educators. Roy taught us how to be caring and compassionate, and to treat the person, not just the teeth.”

Dr. Gunsolus was a member of the American Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists (PSCO), served on the PCSO Board of Directors, and was Chairman for the AAO Council on Practice Management. He retired from private practice in North Seattle in December of 2012.

“Roy encouraged and enabled everyone to learn, grow, and develop their skills and judgment,” said Barbara. “His curiosity was unbounded, and he welcomed students to join him on an exciting journey of discovery.”

The Roy Gunsolus Endowed Research Acceleration Fund in Orthodontics will help UW faculty and students drive new discoveries for improving orthodontic care for all patients. “That is what Roy would have wanted,” said Barbara.

Source: https://dental.washington.edu/