Dr. Derango 2006 Outstanding Alumnus

  Dr. John J. Derango of La Salle has been chosen as Illinois Valley Community College’s nominee for the American Association of Community College’s 2006 Outstanding Alumni Award.
  Each community college is allowed to nominate one alumnus annually; the six national winners will be honored at the AACC Annual Convention in Long Beach, Calif., April 22-25.
  Derango attended IVCC in 1970-71 before transferring to Loyola University and later to the University of Illinois Dental School in Chicago.
  Since opening his dental practice in La Salle in the late 1970s, Derango has seen his profession grow from silver fillings and single tooth dentistry to smile makeovers and “extreme makeovers.”
  A founding member of the American Association of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD), Dr. Derango has pioneered innovations in porcelain veneers, bonding, cosmetic contouring, gum lifts and bleaching to help create beautiful smiles.
   The “Wall of Smiles” in his office’s waiting room is testament to his dental artistry and skill and his passion for cosmetic dentistry has made him a man in high demand.
  Derango travels the country presenting his groundbreaking clinical techniques. He has lectured at the AACD international meeting, to several dental “Study Clubs,” and at the prestigious Midwinter Meeting for dental professionals in Chicago.
  Derango and seven other Illinois Valley dentists — including general dentists, an orthodontist, periodontist, oral surgeon and endodontist  — have joined to create an interdisciplinary study group to address patient needs in a more comprehensive manner. The team approach to treating complex dental problems has inspired other dentists in Colorado, Michigan and Kelowna, Canada, to form similar study clubs.
  One of just 38 AACD Fellows worldwide, Derango’s writings have been published widely in dental journals and magazines such as Dental Economics.
  Derango has served on IVCC’s Dental Assisting program advisory board which helps the program set its curriculum and requirements. In addition, the Dental Assisting program uses Derango’s La Salle office as a model for its students.
  Derango and his wife of 30 years, Dianne, have four children.
  For all his accomplishments, Derango has made his greatest impact on the lives of individual patients and the dentists he has worked with.
  In a thank you letter to Derango, Dr. Rena Vakay of Alexandria, Va., wrote, “I see and appreciate the beautiful, well-planned dentistry you provide your patients. You are one of the ‘great dentists.’ ”
  Previous IVCC alumni nominated for the award include Cam Valle of Oglesby, Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg of Peru, Lane Phalen, formerly of Peru, and Dr. Robert Spetzler of Phoenix, Ariz., who won the AACC Award in 1996.
  Derango will also be IVCC’s nominee for the 2006 Illinois Community College Trustees Association Distinguished Alumnus Award next spring.