The UAB School of Dentistry Alumni Association is proud to announce Dr. George P. Petznick (‘63) as the 2024 recipient of the prestigious Fuller Award – its highest honor, named in recognition of Dr. H. Moren Fuller, whose efforts were instrumental in the founding of the School of Dentistry in 1947.
Drs. Petznick and OBrienA decorated veteran, accomplished clinician, and lifelong advocate for the dental profession, Petznick’s journey to dentistry was anything but conventional. After earning a pharmacy degree from Auburn University in 1955, he served as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, including a critical leadership role during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He later returned to Alabama to pursue his dental education, graduating from the UAB School of Dentistry in 1963.
Over the course of 58 years in private practice in Birmingham, Petznick built one of the city’s premier dental practices. His leadership extended far beyond the operatory. He served as president of both the Birmingham District Dental Society and the Alabama Dental Association, and held key roles in the American College of Dentists, the Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics, and the International College of Dentists
Dr. Petznick with familyPetznick’s service to the School of Dentistry has been equally impactful. He served on the SOD Admissions Committee, the Dental Alumni Executive Committee (including as president in 1986-87), and the Steering Council for the Building for Excellence campaign. He has hosted countless alumni events and celebrations.
His professional accolades include the Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry, “Birmingham Dentist of the Year” in 2003, and numerous civic honors. Two of his children, Dr. Paul Gaston Petznick and Dr. Charlotte Petznick Maxwell, are also proud graduates of the UAB School of Dentistry.
“Petznick’s legacy is one of service, leadership, and unwavering support for our school and profession. He embodies the spirit of the Fuller Award, and we are honored to recognize his extraordinary contributions,” said Dr. Parrish King, immediate past president and current treasurer of the SOD alumni association.
Now in his 90s, Dr. Petznick continues to inspire through his enduring commitment to the dental profession and the UAB School of Dentistry. His lifetime of leadership, mentorship, and service exemplifies the very spirit of the Fuller Award.