2023 Spring Synergy

The University of Florida College of Dentistry is proud to announce the return of Spring Synergy at the HPNP Building on the University of Florida campus. Join us for Research Day on Friday, March 31, for this year’s Robert L. Kaplan Scholar, Dr. Lee Ann Brady, our research keynote speaker, Dr. Yenisel Cruz-Almeida, poster presentations and vendor fair.

Brought to you by the College of Dentistry Office of Research, Continuing Education, the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) — and supported by the Robert L. Kaplan Visiting Professorship FundSpring Synergy promotes the college’s many research accomplishments and provides a venue to learn through CE, and interact with the campus community, alumni and industry professionals.

HPNP Building: 1225 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL 32601


Thursday, March 30, 2023 | UFCD Faculty & Resident Robert L. Kaplan Scholar Presentations

for UFCD Faculty

Presentation to Faculty


Thursday, March 30

*Open to UFCD Faculty Only

for sads residents

Presentation to Residents


Thursday, March 30

*Open to SADS Resident Only


Friday, March 31, 2023 | Spring Synergy: Research Day & Robert L. Kaplan Scholar Presentations

Robert L. Kaplan Scholar Presentation

Spring Synergy CE Lecture


Friday, March 31
HPNP Auditorium 1404
8:05 to 10:00 a.m.

UFCD Faculty, Staff, Students: Free with valid @dental.ufl.edu email address

Robert L. Kaplan Scholar Presentation, Parking, Breakfast, Lunch, Research Day and ASDA Vendor Fair included with registration.

Research Keynote is free with payment of Robert L. Kaplan Scholar Presentation.

*Open to All UF and Outside Participants

Research keynote presentation

Research Keynote Presentation


Friday, March 31
HPNP Auditorium 1404
10:15 to 11:00 a.m.
1 CEU

Research Keynote is free with payment for the Robert L. Kaplan Scholar Presentation.

*Open to All UF and Outside Participants

Biomedical Sciences Building Lobby

ASDA Vendor Fair

Friday, March 31
Biomedical Sciences Building Lobby


Meet the 2023 Robert L. Kaplan Scholar: Dr. Lee Ann Brady

Lee Ann Brady
Lee Ann Brady, D.M.D.

Dr. Lee Ann Brady lives in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband Kelly and three children Sarah, Jenna and Kyle. She owns Desert Sun Smiles Dental Care, a private restorative practice in Glendale, Arizona. Outside of her private practice, Dr. Brady is the Director of Education for The Pankey Institute, recognized for hands-on education programs focused on occlusion and restorative dentistry. She is the founder and lead curator of Restorative Nation, a supportive learning community for dentists.

In 2010 she was recognized by Dental Products Report as one of the “Top 25 Women Dentists in the U.S.” in the category of dental educators.

In 2005 she joined the non-profit Pankey Institute as their first female resident faculty member. Within a year she was promoted to Clinical Director and held this position until November of 2008. In 2008 she was asked to join Dr. Frank Spear in the formation of Spear Education and the expansion of his curriculum. As the Executive VP of Clinical Education at Spear Education, she managed the development and delivery of all programs in addition to her teaching responsibilities. In 2011 she left Spear Education to focus more on patient care and hands-on education.

Dr. Brady is on the editorial board of Inside Dentistry, DentalTown magazine and The Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry. She has published articles in Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), General Dentistry, Dentistry Today, Seattle Study Club Journal, Oral Health Journal (Canada), DentistryIQ, Women Dentist Journal, Inside Dentistry, DentalTown Magazine, Journal of Cosmetic Dentistry Dental Practice Report, Private Dentistry (UK), Journal of Dental Technology, and other print and web publications.

She is a frequent presenter at local, state, national and international dental meetings such as the ADA Annual Session, AACD Annual Meeting, Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting, Chicago Midwinter Meeting, Texas Dental Association Annual Meeting, Yankee Dental Congress and Florida National Dental Congress. She is a Guest Presenter at the Pankey Institute and teaches Continuing Education for the University of Florida College of Dentistry and University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.

Dr. Brady earned her D.M.D. degree from the University Of Florida College Of Dentistry.

Being a lifelong learner, she dedicates countless hours to studying and understanding occlusion, restorative dentistry and dental materials performance. She enjoys researching and teaching these clinical disciplines as well as patient communications, case acceptance and team development. She is passionate about solving complex cases, understanding the needs and concerns of her patients, facilitating the success of colleagues, and helping dentists find balance in their lives.


Dr. Robert L. Kaplan’s Legacy

Dr. Robert L. Kaplan
Dr. Robert L. Kaplan

Spring Synergy and the Robert L. Kaplan Scholar presentation are annually supported by the Robert L. Kaplan Visiting Professorship Fund. Robert L. Kaplan, D.D.S., past president of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry, was the chairman of the Dental Advisory Committee in 1969 that was instrumental in making the case to the Florida Legislature for a dental school in the state of Florida, thus playing a critical role in establishing our college. The South Florida Dental Association sponsored a campaign to establish the visiting professorship honoring Dr. Kaplan after he passed away in 1989.

Dr. Kaplan was the keynote speaker at our college’s first commencement ceremony in 1976. View a copy of his speech.