Manish Valiathan—Distinguished Alumnus Alumni Award recipient

Manish Valiathan, DDS (DEN '02), MSD (DEN '99), is recognized as a true academic ‘triple threat’—seamlessly bridging his roles as a widely celebrated educator, NIH-funded researcher with 60+ peer-reviewed publications and dedicated clinician serving children with craniofacial deformities. For his outstanding career, he will receive the 2026 Distinguished Alumnus Award, Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine’s highest alumni honor, recognizing exceptional achievement in dental medicine.

Dr. Valiathan is a professor in the Department of Orthodontics and associate dean for clinical affairs at the School of Dental Medicine. He also serves jointly in the Department of Plastic Surgery at the School of Medicine and co-directs the Bolton-Brush Growth Study Center, advancing cross-disciplinary research.

As an educator, Dr. Valiathan is regarded as one of the school’s top educators, earning unanimous praise from colleagues, residents and DMD students. He teaches at all levels—directing DMD courses, leading the orthognathic surgery clinic for orthodontic residents and instructing graduate students across dentistry specialties. In 2011, he founded the first university-based Craniofacial Orthodontic Fellowship Program and still provides 80% of its content.

As a researcher, Dr. Valiathan studies craniofacial growth, clinical outcomes and post-orthodontic changes. He has authored many peer-reviewed publications, contributed to numerous textbooks and serves on nine dental journal editorial boards, including the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and The Angle Orthodontist.

Dr. Valiathan runs a private practice in Cleveland and consults at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. He has served as president of both the Cleveland Society and the Ohio Association of Orthodontists. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontists and was elected as a Fellow of the International College of Dentists in 2019.

Mark G. Hans, DDS, MSD, professor and chair of the Department of Orthodontics, nominated Dr. Valiathan for the award, emphasizing his mastery across teaching, research and service.

“Manish stands out as a rare leader who has truly mastered all three pillars of academia,” Hans said. “His profound impact on our research, his unwavering dedication to our clinics and his deep commitment to his students make him exceptionally deserving of this honor.”