Gadsden dentists become first father-son duo to receive UAB Alumni awards

Two Gadsden dentists are among the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry's alumni award winners.

Dr. Gordon R. Isbell III and his son, Dr. Gordon “Ross” Isbell IV, became the first "father-son tandem" to be awarded the Distinguished Alumnus and Outstanding Young Alumnus awards earlier this year during UAB's Alumni Weekend in Birmingham.

Dr. Russell Taichman, dean of the UAB School of Dentistry, called the pair "pillars in dentistry and the Gadsden community," adding that Ross Isbell "set the standard for involvement as a student, and he has continued to set the standard for young alumni in his five years as a private practitioner."

During Ross Isbell's time at UAB before his graduation in 2014, he served as president of the American Student Dental Association and went on to serve as president of the Alabama Academy of General Dentistry.

Gordon Isbell graduated from the university in 1981. He was born and raised in Gadsden, choosing to run his practice here for over 40 years.

“I’ve tried through my career to be the best dentist I could be in order to serve my patients. At the same time, I have given back to our profession and lobbied at so many levels with the hope that dentistry could guide its own future," he said.

While Isbell called it a "tremendous honor" to receive the Distinguished Alumnus Award, it was an even greater honor to receive the award alongside his son.

"[Ross] is striving towards the same ideals and dreams that I’ve always held. This award is really about all the wonderful people, my patients included, who have been a part of my journey," he said.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden dentists become first father-son duo awarded UAB Alumni awards