Welcome to The Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists!

The Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists (GLAO) is a constituent of the American Association of Orthodontists. The GLAO advocates on behalf of its members and promotes the value and advancement of the Specialty of Orthodontics. Component organizations of the GLAO include: Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Ontario (Canada), and Pennsylvania (west of the Alleghenies).
 

A Message from The GLAO President...
 

It is both an honor and a privilege to serve as President of the Great Lakes Association of Orthodontists (GLAO).

I want to begin by extending my heartfelt thanks to our immediate past president, Dr. Scott Schulz, for his exceptional leadership over the past year. His dedication and vision culminated in a highly successful Annual Session in Grand Rapids , which welcomed more than 270 attendees, including over 60 residents from orthodontic programs throughout our region. Congratulations to Dr. Schulz and his team on a job well done!

This year, I am especially proud to be working alongside a remarkable group of leaders: Dr. Fatima Ahmed, Dr. Marian Wolford, and Dr. Tasha Hall. Together, we make up the first all-female slate of GLAO officers—a historic and exciting milestone for our organization.

2025 also marks a momentous occasion: the 100th anniversary of the GLAO. We're planning a year full of celebration, reflection, and forward momentum. The centennial festivities will culminate in our 2026 Annual Session, to be held October 23-24 in Columbus, Ohio. This special meeting will feature dynamic programming for both doctors and their teams. We can't wait to celebrate this incredible milestone with you in Columbus!

As always, our focus remains on supporting our members. We will continue hosting quarterly Coffee Chats, and we're eager to hear what topics matter most to you. If there's a subject you'd like us to explore, please don't hesitate to reach out to the GLAO office.

As orthodontists and members of this vibrant community, I believe we are stronger together. Through collaboration, shared knowledge, and collective effort, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone. Your voice is essential to our continued success, so please share your feedback, ideas, and suggestions—we're listening.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I look forward to an exciting year ahead.

Dr. Mariela Anderson

GLAO President