/home/opencode/cpanel/stomaeduj_hacked/uploads/2018/01/Letter_2_v5_1.pdf In Memoriam Letters The Moldovan dental community lost Professor Ion Lupan, exceptional doctor and academician. Professor Dr. habilitatus Ion Lupan, aged 65, passed away on November 22, 2017. He was Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Head of the Department of Oro- Maxillofacial Surgery Pediatric and Orthodontic Pedodontics, senior specialist in dentistry in the Republic of Moldova, member of the Academy of Sciences. He was a talented scholar and renowned pediatric surgeon, his life devoted to organizing Pediatric Oro-Maxillofacial Surgery services in Moldova and led the relevant Department of the Emilian Coţaga Children’s Clinical Hospital for 35 years. Ion Lupan, experienced educator and outstanding manager, organized the training of dentists and contributed to the connection of the Faculty of Dentistry to international standards. He chaired the Association of Moldovan Dentists and the Association of Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgeons in Moldova. Ion Lupan was born in 1952, in the village of Şestaci. He attended the Middle School in his native village, in 1970 he graduated from the Medical College in the city of Bălți, and in 1975 from the Faculty of Dentistry of the State Medical Institute in Chișinău. Between 1975-1977 he was a professor at the Tiraspol College of Medicine and Dentist at the Stomatological Clinic. Between 1978-1983 he worked in the Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the Republican Clinical Hospital, and in 1983 he was transferred to the Emilian Coţaga Children's Republican Clinical Hospital, where he established and organized the Maxillofacial Surgery Department, whose manager he was for 35 years. In 1993 he began teaching at the State University of Medicine "Nicolae Testemițanu”, and in 1993 he defended his doctoral thesis in medical sciences. In 2004 he defended his habilitation thesis on "Medical recovery of children with congenital malformations of the face" and in 2009 he became full professor at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Pediatrics, Pedodontics and Orthodontics. In 2007, following an open election process, he was elected head of the Department of Oro-Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Pediatrics and Orthodontics at the "Nicolae Testemițanu" USMF. In 2009 he became Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry. In 2016, under Ion Lupan’s deanship, the Faculty of Dentistry obtained its international accreditation certificate from the Dental Council of the State of California, USA. Professor Ion Lupan's research work includes about 160 scientific and didactic papers, two monographs, a manual and two compendia, 10 patents and 45 innovator certificates. He was very actively involved in his Alma Mater’s activities as a member of the Scientific Council and the Uiversity Senate. In 2008 he was elected member of the Assembly of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova. With Professor Ion Lupan's death, the medical community lost a talented educator and skilled oro-maxillo-facial surgeon, and also an exceptional person, remarkable for his sense of responsibility and professionalism, his intelligence, honesty, modesty, refinement, empathy and respect when dealing with students, colleagues, patients, and acquintances. The "Nicolae Testemițanu" State University of Medicine and Pharmacy extends its condolences and deep compassion to the bereaved family. Professor Ion Lupan’s memory will remain that of an energetic man who loved the world, his family, country and Alma Mater, an example for dozens of generations of dentists and colleagues. May he rest in peace! Sergiu Ciobanu, DDS, PhD, Profesor, Dean “Nicolae Testemițanu” State Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Chişinău, Moldova Associate Editor-in-Chief Stomatology Edu Journal DOI: 10.25241/stomaeduj.2018.5(1).letter.2 14 Stoma Edu J. 2018;5(1): 13-14. http://www.stomaeduj.com