Felix J. Amarista, DDS, FACS, receives Faculty Educator Development Award

Felix J. Amarista, DDS, FACS, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the School of Dentistry, has been honored with one of only five Faculty Educator Development Awards (FEDA) presented by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS). The award was announced during the AAOMS annual meeting held in Washington, DC, this September.

The FEDA program is designed to strengthen academic careers within the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery by:

Encouraging surgeons to pursue and remain in academic roles.
Supporting faculty members who have served full-time for up to seven years.
Providing financial incentives to CODA-accredited residency programs to retain talented educators.

Amarista’s selection reflects his commitment to advancing education and training in oral and maxillofacial surgery. A Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Amarista is actively involved in numerous professional organizations, including AAOMS and the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Amarista earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree with honors before completing advanced training in Colombia and the United States. His academic journey and clinical expertise, spanning minimally invasive orthognathic surgery, TMJ pathology and maxillofacial trauma, underscore his dedication to patient care and education.

This recognition by AAOMS not only celebrates Amarista’s achievements but also reinforces the School of Dentistry’s commitment to fostering excellence in academic surgery and preparing future leaders in oral and maxillofacial care.