Mark Marunick, D.D.S., M.S., professor of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery for the Wayne State University School of Medicine, received the prestigious Andrew J. Ackerman Award from the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics.

"I was overwhelmed, gratified and professionally fulfilled," Dr. Marunick said of receiving the award.

The director of Maxillofacial Prosthetics for the Department of Otolaryngology received the award during the academy's meeting in October in Orlando, Fla.

The award was established to commemorate the significant contributions of Dr. Andrew Ackerman. The award was established to be presented to an academy member who the board of directors considers to have made significant contributions to the advancement of this special area of practice. Only 33 people have received the award, which is not given annually, but only when the academy determines that an individual has distinguished himself or herself at a level that merits special recognition.

Dr. Marunick received his dental degree from the University of Michigan in 1975, his master's degree from the University of Michigan in 1980 and his certificate in maxillofacial prosthetics from the University of California Los Angeles in 1981. He is also a diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics.