b'PERIO PEOPLEWhatsupDoc?Coming into focus: how the pandemicStuart Lieberman: I started in high school, taking turned a youthful hobby into a compellingphotographs for the yearbook. I also photographed events book that took place as well as things that were going on at the Dr. Stuart Lieberman, DMD, MBA, an AAPtime, including political events.member since 1977, has enjoyed a long andPM: Prior to your retirement, how often did you engage in successful career upon graduating from theyour photography hobby?University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine in 1975 and Columbia Universitys PostSL: 35-40% of my time because I was practicing. My Graduate Division of Periodontics in 1977. After growing ahobbies took second place to my family and my practice. thriving practice as a solo clinician, Dr. Lieberman decided to earn an MBA after seeing the changes in the healthcare environment via his practice. Guided in a new direction, Dr. Lieberman eventually joined a major dental healthcare insurance company, which is when some significant relationships with AAP leaders took root, and thrived, until his retirement.Facing a new life outside of the profession to which he had dedicated so much of his time and energy, Dr. Lieberman decided to reengage in a hobby from his high school years: photography. He took classes and joined multiple Meet Up groups to improve his skills. These efforts resulted in recognition from the International Color Awards and publication of his work in Black & White magazine. Then came the pandemic.The isolation which followed took Dr. Lieberman to the streets of his south Florida community where he began to document what he describes as the new normal, which also happens to be the title of his self-published book.Periospectives had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Lieberman to learn more about this timely labor of love.Periospectives Magazine: When and how did your interest in photography begin?AAP Periospectives| 48'