The AAO elected officers for 2026-27 during last week’s Annual Session in Orlando, as 2025-26 AAO President Dr. Steven M. Siegel concluded his term in office. Dr. Michael Durbin of Prospect Heights, Illinois, is the AAO’s 2026-27 president.

Dr. Durbin first joined the Board of Trustees in 2017, representing the Midwestern Society of Orthodontists. As a trustee, he has served as chair of the Interoperability Task Force and of the Leadership Development Conference Planning Committee and was a member of the OSO/DSO Task Force.

Long active in AAO Advocacy, Dr. Durbin was co-chair of the 2024 AAO Professional Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C. In addition, he was the Trustee Liaison to the AAO Council on Government Advocacy and the AAO Political Action Committee for four years, during which the AAOPAC bylaws were significantly revised.  He also served as Trustee Liaison to the AAO Committee on Conferences and Meetings (CCon) for two years.

In March 2020, AAO members quickly closed their offices in compliance with local regulations initiated because of the pandemic, and the AAO formed the COVID-19-Task Force. Dr. Durbin chaired the task force, which monitored scientific updates on COVID-19 and emerging regulatory requirements to prepare clinical resources and guidance for re-opening orthodontic practices. The task force worked with the AAO Advocacy team on outreach to OSHA, to eliminate requirements for orthodontic practices to use N95 masks for non-aerosol-generating procedures.

These efforts helped make re-opening possible for most orthodontic practices despite shortages of N95 masks. The task force also developed recommended PPE protocols for clinical situations not requiring N95 protection.

Dr. Durbin has a long history of diverse leadership, service and philanthropy in orthodontics and dentistry at local, state, regional and national levels. He is a past president of the AAO Donated Orthodontic Services Program (now AAO Foundation Gifted Smiles), which provides orthodontic treatment to qualifying children from low-income families.

In 2022, Dr. Durbin received the Raymond George Sr. Award for Outstanding Donated Orthodontic Service. In 2023, he served as President of the Chicago Dental Society, the largest component of the American Dental Association.

A graduate of the dentistry and orthodontic residency programs at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry, Dr. Durbin opened his orthodontic practice in 1990 in Des Plaines, Illinois.

The AAO 2026-27 Leadership Team
Working closely with Dr. Durbin during the coming year will be President-Elect Dr. Richard A. Williams of Nesbit, Mississippi (Southern Association of Orthodontists) and Secretary-Treasurer Dr. Michael Sherman of Thornhill, Ontario (Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists).

Additional AAO trustees representing constituent organizations include:

  • Dr. Stephen Robirds of Austin, Texas (Southwestern Society of Orthodontists)
  • Dr. Trista Felty, Abbotsford, British Columbia (Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists)
  • Dr. Ryan Frost, Colorado Springs, Colorado, (Rocky Mountain Society of Orthodontists)
  • Dr. Kenneth Webb of Hopkinton, Massachusetts (Northeastern Society of Orthodontists)
  • Dr. Lawrence Wang of Baltimore, Maryland (Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists)
  • Dr. Nellie Kim-Weroha of Rochester, Minnesota (the new representative of the Midwestern Society of Orthodontists on the Board)

Also new to the Board is incoming Trustee-At-Large Dr. Kevan O’Neill of Lima, Ohio.

Continuing on the Board as a Trustee At-Large is Dr. India Collier of Atlanta, Georgia.
Dr. Jae Hyun Park of Mesa, Arizona serves on the AAO Board as editor-in-chief of the AJO-DO and the AJO-DO Clinical Companion.

Dr. Luis Toro of Fajardo, Puerto Rico will continue as the speaker of the House of Delegates for 2026-27. AAO CEO Trey Lawrence also serves on the Board of Trustees. Dr. Toro and Mr. Lawrence are ex officio members of the Board.