James L. Vaden has practiced orthodontics in Cookeville, Tennessee since June 1972 when he received a Master's Degree in Orthodontics from the University of Tennessee, College of Dentistry. During this period of time, he has provided orthodontic care and/or consultation to well over 10,000 patients, both children and adults. In addition to his private practice, Dr. Vaden has authored over 75 articles which have appeared in peer reviewed orthodontic journals. He has authored or co-authored 15 book chapters that are in various orthodontic textbooks. He has given approximately 250 major lectures to national as well as international groups of orthodontists. Since 1980, he has taught in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Tennessee, College of Dentistry. He served from 1999 – 2010 as the Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthodontics. In addition to his service to the University of Tennessee, he was an adjunct clinical professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor from 1991 until 2000. Outside the university, Dr. Vaden has also been of service to the specialty of orthodontics. Notable is his selection as a Director of The American Board of Orthodontics, the official certification body for the specialty of orthodontics. He culminated his service to The American Board of Orthodontics by serving as its President in 1999-2000. In 2007, Dr. Vaden completed a four -year term as the orthodontist on the Commission on Dental Accreditation, the accrediting body for all dental education. He is currently the Co-Director of the Tweed Study Course in Tucson, Arizona, a two-week orthodontic course that is given three times each year. The specialty has thanked Dr. Vaden for his services many times over. Examples of this recognition are: He is the third person in the history of the specialty to receive the international award for teaching (The Jarabak), the award for significant contributions to the art and science of orthodontics (The Ketcham) and the American Association of Orthodontists distinguished service award (The Brophy). Additionally, the new state of the art orthodontic clinic housed in the College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center is named the James L. Vaden Orthodontic Clinic.