It’s rare to come across someone like Dr. Earl Lerner. He is a very passionate man. Passionate about his profession, about giving and about his free time. He is an orthodontist, a philanthropist, an artist, an active athlete, a dedicated father and grandfather.
Dr. Lerner, DDS ’63, started his BSc in Sciences at McGill and with a little encouragement from a friend applied to dentistry on a whim after his third year of studies. With his artistic side and excellent fine motor skills he passed his DAT easily (his friend didn’t) and the rest is history. Since finishing his specialty training in orthodontics at Columbia University in 1966, Dr. Lerner has been a keen advocate of living well. “I’ve always taken at least one day a week so I can have some time pursuing my other interests,” says Dr. Lerner, “it’s been an important part of achieving a healthy work-life balance.” In his free moments he finds time to relax and let go of the demands life has by being active and wild fowl carving. “I’ve always had an artistic side. When I discovered carving it was a great escape and challenge for me. Hours can pass by without me noticing when I’m in my workshop,” he says. He is an expert wildfowl sculptor and his home shows the fruits of years of artistry. Adorned with birds of all types and ribbons galore, on first appearance you would think Dr. Lerner is a pro sports hunter. His wooden sculptures are shockingly lifelike. One has to touch it to realise the feathers are actually carved in wood. Over the years he has refined his carving and painting techniques and won many awards nationally and internationally. His ability to work with his hands as an artist was “almost like a transfer” from his daily practice of orthodontics.
