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Dr. Thomas "Tommy" W. Weatherford III, D.M.D., D.V.M., M.S., a periodontist and UAB School of Dentistry professor emeritus, passed away on January 30 at the age of 94. He dedicated his career to advancing dentistry at all levels and will be remembered fondly as an excellent clinician, instructor, researcher, and mentor.

Dr. WeatherfordWeatherford began his career teaching histology in the Auburn University School of Veterinary Medicine. Soon thereafter he came to UAB, where earned his D.M.D. and M.S. in Dentistry.

After completing his periodontic residency at UAB and serving as a NIH Teacher Trainee, Weatherford went on to have a successful 50-plus year career at UAB as a teacher and researcher. He served on faculty from 1962 until 2012, when he was named Professor Emeritus by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees.

Centered on periodontics, his research interests included etiological agents and the control of them, and the histo-pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. In addition to participation in clinical trials of therapeutic modalities for patients with periodontal diseases, his research activities were mainly in the clinical evaluation of plaque suppressants and in the in-vitro study of the effects of various chemical agents on the tissues and cells of the periodontium.

Weatherford was a member of numerous professional associations, including the International Association for Dental Research, the Alabama Academy of Science, and the American Association of Oral Biologists. He was a Diplomate of the American Academy of Periodontology, was elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon where he served as president of the Phi Phi Chapter, and served as president of the Alabama Society of Periodontists. Among his honors, he received the Outstanding Periodontal Educator Award of the American Academy of Periodontology and the Most Excellent Fellow Award of the Alabama Dental Association.

Touching many lives, Weatherford’s teaching responsibilities included the didactic and clinical aspects of the first professional degree and advanced education programs of dental students, dental hygiene students (preceptor and degree) and graduate students in the clinical specialty programs. He was inducted into the Alabama Healthcare Hall of Fame in 2016, noting “As Director of the Alabama Dental Hygiene Program for over 40 years, his research and teaching of thousands of dental residents and hygienists has assured the availability of preventive services in even the smallest of Alabama’s communities.”

“His teachings were pure, and he served as a mentor for many,” said Nico Geurs, dean. “In fact, throughout the years he contributed to the education of most dentists and hygienists practicing in Alabama. Dr. Weatherford used his time with us well and his teachings will live on in those whose lives he touched. We have lost a great man and like many others, I have lost a good friend and mentor.”


To honor Dr. Weatherford, please consider contributing to the Dr. Tommy Weatherford/Dr. Kent Palcanis Endowed Professorship in Dentistry. This fund continues the legacy of excellence in dentistry that Dr. Weatherford exemplified throughout his career.

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