WVU School of Dentistry Alumni Gather Nearly $1 Million to Honor Longtime Chair by Naming Orthodontic Clinic After Him.
Alumni from the West Virginia University (WVU) School of Dentistry have raised nearly $1 million to honor Dr. Peter Ngan, a prominent figure in orthodontics, by naming the orthodontic clinic after him. Dr. Ngan has been a guiding force at the university since 1994, leading students through a demanding residency program that prepares them for successful careers in orthodontics.
To date, alumni and friends have contributed over $900,000 towards this initiative, with the goal of reaching $1 million. The funds will help update and relocate the WVU Dental orthodontic clinic at the Health Sciences Morgantown Campus. This renovation is part of ongoing efforts to modernize the School of Dentistry’s facilities for future students and patients.
“Dr. Ngan is a nationally and internationally recognized leader in orthodontics,” said Dr. Stephen Pachuta, dean of the WVU School of Dentistry. “His influence on the profession has been profound. His research has shaped orthodontic practices for generations. The support from his residents over the past 30 years highlights his significance in this field. He is also the longest-serving orthodontic department chair in the country, making us fortunate to have him at our School of Dentistry.”
The announcement of this fundraising achievement surprised Dr. Ngan during a recent continuing education program hosted by the Department of Orthodontics.
“I was honored and humbled by my students’ gesture,” Dr. Ngan remarked. “As a teacher, there is no greater satisfaction than witnessing your students succeed and give back to their alma mater.”
The initiative to name the clinic emerged from a group chat among WVU orthodontics alumni led by Dr. Pranav Patel from Aurora, Illinois.
Patel first encountered Dr. Ngan as a dental student at The Ohio State University, where Ngan previously worked. He chose to apply to WVU because he admired Ngan and is grateful for his acceptance into the competitive orthodontics residency program.
“When I learned about the new clinic being built, I wanted to find a way to honor Dr. Ngan’s legacy,” Patel explained. “He has graduated orthodontists from WVU for three decades and always fosters a welcoming environment.”
Patel took the lead in fundraising by donating $100,000, followed by Dr. Larry Kalaskey from Charleston, who also reached out to fellow alumni for support. Kalaskey was encouraged by the positive responses he received from other graduates eager to contribute.
“Dr. Ngan could have earned more in private practice but chose education to help us,” Kalaskey stated. “This honor is well-deserved.
We deeply admire him and appreciate his commitment to WVU, which has made it one of the top orthodontic programs in the nation.”
Dr. Ngan is known for his expertise in dental and skeletal malocclusion and is often referred to as “Mr. Class III” due to his frequent lectures on this subject at national and international conferences. He has published over 170 research papers and 180 abstracts in peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. James Caveney, a three-time WVU graduate and former president of the American Association of Orthodontists, expressed his long-standing admiration for Dr. Ngan since his hiring 30 years ago.
Caveney noted that Ngan gained recognition after speaking at an American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) meeting attended by over 20,000 people from around the world.
“He deserves this recognition for all he has done for hundreds of graduates across America and beyond,” Caveney said. “He’s a hero at our School of Dentistry—fair, enthusiastic, and truly exceptional.”
Dr. Ngan emigrated from Hong Kong to the United States in 1973 and improved his English while selling dictionaries door-to-door. He earned his dental degree from Harvard University and completed certificates in orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, and hospital dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania.
He is a fellow of several prestigious organizations including the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists.
In 2014, he became the inaugural Branson-Maddrell Endowed Professor in Orthodontics at WVU.
Dr. Ngan’s family also has strong ties to dentistry; his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Kao, is a professor at WVU’s restorative dentistry program, while their daughter Dr. Tiffany Ngan and her husband are both graduates practicing in Pennsylvania. Another daughter, Dr. Emily Ngan, specializes in obstetrics and gynecology in Virginia.
Alumni and supporters wishing to contribute to naming efforts can donate online or contact Karen Coombs, director of development for the School of Dentistry.
All contributions are processed through the WVU Foundation, which manages private donations on behalf of the university.
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