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Ralph M. Powers, Jr., DDS, CTBS

Ralph M. Powers, Jr., DDS, CTBS

In 1971, while working as a Surgical Technician, Dr. Powers had his first exposure to tissue donation. He later received a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Old Dominion University and trained further in blood banking and HLA immunology. This training allowed him to work closely with the kidney transplant program at Eastern Virginia Medical School. A DDS was earned at Virginia Commonwealth University in 1987 followed by a General Practice Residency at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals. Ralph has over 40 years exposure to all facets of transplantation. The last 25 were focused on allograft use in dentistry. Currently, he has “the best job in the world” – retirement. However, he stays active as a medical writer and consultant focused on health communications and non-profit management. Ralph actively supports the American Association of Tissue Banks in their educational efforts.

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  • The Evolution of Tissue Banking and Uses
    Contains 4 Component(s), Includes Credits

    This session will provide a high-level overview of the historical evolution of tissue recovery and banking, including an overview of various tissue types and clinical applications.

  • The 70th Anniversary Of The US Navy Tissue Bank
    Contains 2 Component(s), Includes Credits

    The U.S. Navy Tissue Bank (USNTB) formed 70 years ago. To this day, it has affected the way our military approaches treatment with allografts in numerous surgical specialties. The founders and their colleagues were true visionaries. Their tireless efforts had everything to do with the AATB’s founding and subsequent success. Most of today’s major tissue banks were either formed by military personnel exposed to USNTB during their time of service, or encouraged to form by requests from former military doctors practicing in that locale. Most major breakthroughs in tissue preservation and utilization are somehow tied to the USNTB. The Navy wrote a stunning history in tissue banking - a history that is still being written today.