Ostrow School of Dentistry Mourns Harry L. Dougherty, 87
Posted
07 Oct 13
Harry Louis Dougherty, professor emeritus and former chair of the Ostrow School of Dentistry Orthodontic Department, passed away on October 5, 2013 at the age of 87.
Dougherty was born September 22, 1926 in San Jose, Costa Rica. He relocated to Gardena, California at the age of six.
He served as a corpsman in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1946. After leaving the service, he began a premedical program at Los Angeles City College and the University of California, Berkeley.
Dougherty entered medical school in 1952, but transferred to dental school at the urging of dental faculty who were interested in his research. He earned a master of science degree in anatomy at Berkeley before beginning dental school, where he taught basic sciences to his classmates. He completed his doctor of dental surgery degree and orthodontic training at the University of California, San Francisco.
In 1960, he became chair of the USC Orthodontic Department, leading the program for 33 years and training more than 250 orthodontic residents. The program he designed and implemented was ahead of its time – doing an original research project was mandatory, and passing the specialty boards was a career goal for all graduates. His leadership helped establish USC as a leading institution in orthodontics.
Throughout his career, he was recognized many times by several dental organizations. He was honored as a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, was a member of the Board from 1982 to 1987, and was the ABO president from 1988 to 1989. He was also a fellow of the American College of Dentists, member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Society, chairman of the Council of Research for the American Association of Orthodontists, and recipient of the AAO’s prestigious Ketcham Award. On November 19, 2010, Dougherty was inducted into the Ostrow School of Dentistry Hall of Fame.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Harry L. Dougherty and Keith S. Tanaka Orthodontic Foundation at www.dtofoundation.org or (213) 785-2210.