Reflections

Hometown:
Chesterfield, Virginia

Undergraduate school/degree:
University of Virginia–Biomedical Engineering

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
As a Richmond native, I love to do anything outdoors. I do CrossFit and am training for the Richmond half marathon in November. I am lucky to have most of my family here, so I get to see my family members often. I just got a sweet puppy named Lincoln who has added happiness and energy to my life.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
Dentistry allows me to have the patient-provider relationships that I want as well as utilize hand skills and critical thinking skills. Few healthcare professionals see patients as often as dentists do, and I love that I can help people improve their overall health, confidence, and quality of life.

Hometown:
Highland Springs, Virginia

Undergraduate school/degree:
–

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
Having lived in Iran, Austria, and the US, I have developed a love and passion for learning about new cultures and languages. I speak four languages proficiently. I am passionate about research with a publication under my belt. I love my family, serving the community, and solving complex problems.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
Traveling frequently and having to learn new languages as a child made me realize there is no universal language to kindness but a smile.I found my passion for dentistry in hopes of providing the gift of a beautiful smile to everyone including those who may not have any other means of communication.

Hometown:
Richmond, Virginia

Undergraduate school/degree:
Virginia Commonwealth University–Biology

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I grew up in a Chinese-Vietnamese-American family. I am passionate about participating in outdoor sports and artistic pursuits as a way to relieve stress. During my third year of dental school, I ran the Richmond Marathon. I also enjoy rock climbing, playing the piano, and making clay earrings.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
I love dentistry for the opportunity to improve the quality of life of patients. Hospital dentistry, particularly, amazes me, as dentists optimize patients to receive procedures to save their lives. I would find it fulfilling to eventually work in this intersection between medicine and dentistry.

Hometown:
Byron , Minnesota

Undergraduate school/degree:
University of St. Thomas –Environmental Science with an emphasis in Biology

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I'm from a rural town in Minnesota. I attended undergrad in St. Paul, then pursued a Masters degree in Biomedical Science in FL. My hobbies include reading, cooking, fishing, drawing, golfing, lifting, hiking and camping, archery, and carpentry. During break I drive back to see my family.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
Dentistry allows me to achieve my goals of helping people directly, working with my hands, being able to be creative and have autonomy, and being able to have a comfortable lifestyle and support a family.

Hometown:
Hanover, Maryland

Undergraduate school/degree:
University of Maryland, College Park–BS - Biological Sciences; BS - Community Health

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
Since immigrating from Poland when I was two, I have always been an avid reader. I love visiting historical sites and exploring the outdoors through hiking and camping. I enjoy spending free time with my family and cooking with my amazing husband, who is on active duty in the US Air Force.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
Dentistry is a combination of art and science, yet it also incorporates the human element of improving the lives of others, making it a perfect fit for me. My background in public health motivates me to address the existing disparities in dental health through practice, research, and education.

Hometown:
Baltimore, Maryland

Undergraduate school/degree:
Stevenson University–B.S. Biology

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I enjoy traveling in and out of the country. I love learning about other cultures and exploring new cities. I enjoy hiking, swimming, and working out. Relaxing at a beach is one of my favorite escapes. I have been involved with Jewish Life at VCU these past two years.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
Dentistry allows me to help others improve their self-esteem by improving both their oral health and their smiles. I dental assisted for three years prior to school which allowed me to be immersed in dentistry. My early clinical participation has reinforced my interest in dentistry.

Hometown:
Richmond, Virginia

Undergraduate school/degree:
University of Virginia –Biology

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I am married and a proud mom to a dog and cat, Gilly and Key. In my free time I love hiking, traveling, reading by an ocean, and home projects and decorating. I worked as a Licensed Veterinary Technician for 9 years before coming to dental school.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
It is incredible to have the knowledge and skill in your hands to make a difference in someone else's life and self-confidence. Dentistry is a beautiful mix of science and art that is such an important part of overall health and happiness.

Hometown:
Chesapeake, Virginia

Undergraduate school/degree:
Old Dominion University–BS-Biochemistry 2010; BSDH-Dental Hygiene 2014

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I just celebrated my one year wedding anniversary with my best friend and love of my life, Chelsea. We have a labradoodle named Stella, that just celebrated her 10 month birthday and the three of us love to travel particularly in the mountains of western Virginia where we can unwind and relax.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
I believe dentistry is the most rewarding profession on earth. I have the opportunity to meet new people, do something different every day, all while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The field is constantly changing keeping me engaged in the field around me. I truly love what I do every day.

Hometown:
Cedar City , Utah

Undergraduate school/degree:
Southern Utah University–B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I am married to my best friend Kelsey and we have a beautiful one year old daughter named Avery. It took us over 3 years of trying and many miracles to get our princess; so she is our whole world. I love to take photos, cook, going to the park with Avery, and family walks and movies.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
In Jamaica last summer a sweet 75 year old lady traveled 4 hours and then sat and waited patiently for over 8 hours in the 100 degree heat of the Jamaican sun to get a cleaning from me. Dentistry can change lives! Sometimes we forget the blessings we have but dentistry is a skill that is priceless.

Hometown:
RICHMOND, Virginia

Undergraduate school/degree:
Virginia Commonwealth University–Bachelors of Science in Biology

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I am single and a mom to my cat, Leo. I love to travel and spend time outdoors. My favorite trips include hiking in national parks and the beach. I appreciate the history, culture, and personality of the city of Richmond and think it is an amazing environment to be in as a student.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
I am passionate about dentistry because I care about the patient. I thrive off of the challenge to engage each patient, and foster learning. Empathy and communication are vital to our scope of practice, and I take the time to engage each patient I see in clinic in a genuine way.

Hometown:
Wellesley, Massachusetts

Undergraduate school/degree:
Washington & Lee University–B.S. Biology

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I am originally from Wellesley, MA and grew up the youngest of four children. Each of my oldest two siblings have 3 children of their own. I swam in college where I met my now fiance. I enjoy visiting my nieces and nephews when I am able and traveling home to the Boston area whenever I can.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
A career in dentistry will allow me to interact with patients on a personal level and provide a much needed service as part of an expanding profession. My passion stems from this idea of being able to work with the patient and establish treatment goals that we can reach together.

Hometown:
St. Petersburg, Florida

Undergraduate school/degree:
University of Florida–Food Science and Human Nutrition

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
My name is Claire, and I am from St. Pete, Florida. I have a little puppy named Penny, whom in the last year has become queen of the household. I play rec soccer with my talented classmates, take pure barre classes at the gym, and have recently discovered my green thumb.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
Dentistry has become both my creative and humanitarian outlet. It satisfies my desire to be a lifelong learner, and helps me reach my personal goal of making my community a better place. After a full day of clinic, I come home feeling fulfilled and accomplished. I believe in this profession.

Hometown:
Jacksonville, Florida

Undergraduate school/degree:
Vanderbilt University–Mechanical Engineering

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I'm 31 and married to my wonderful wife with a cat and a dog that keep us constantly entertained. My wife and I love to travel and explore new places whenever we can. I enjoy skiing, golfing, and cooking on my Big Green Egg Grill (1st place in the Jamaica Project fundraiser chili cookoff!)

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
I love the immediate impact you can have on your patients, whether it's getting them out of pain from an infected tooth, fixing a chipped incisal edge, or cleaning a fifty-two year old's teeth for the first time in their life. Being able to improve the way someone smiles is rewarding beyond words.

Hometown:
Alexandria, Virginia

Undergraduate school/degree:
Virginia Tech–Biochemistry

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I fall in love with Dentistry and the city of Richmond every day! With that love comes more joy in life. I am active in my church and teach a childrens service once a month. I love to work with my hands and have built a table, bookshelf and a set of corn hole boards.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
I love that every day I get to improve someone's health and life. It gives me a wonderful opportunity to work with my hands and learn about other people. Dentistry is also expanding and becoming more innovative. There is always something new to learn and I will continue to be interested in advances.

Hometown:
Lynchburg, Virginia

Undergraduate school/degree:
University of Virginia–B.A. Biology

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I am a rising D3 from Lynchburg, Virginia. I was raised a Hokie fan but attended the University of Virginia. None of my family is in dentistry, or any form of medicine. I love playing almost all sports, while tennis may be my favorite. Currently, I am in the process of obtaining a chocolate lab.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
Dentistry is something that has interested me since I was a child. When we did a career planning activity in middle school, I chose to be an orthodontist, and I was serious about it. I love dealing with people and making people smile. The ability to relieve patients of discomfort is very rewarding.

Hometown:
Dallas, Texas

Undergraduate school/degree:
Georgia Institute of Technology–Industrial and Systems Engineering

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
My husband and I moved to Richmond when I started dental school and enjoy exploring the city. With our two dogs, we enjoy hiking and camping in the mountains. I have a "little sister" through BBBS of America that I continue to mentor. I enjoy coaching a local swim team and motivating children.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
Impacting so many lives at MOM projects and volunteering at the Charlottesville Free Clinic have helped to keep me focused on why I chose dentistry. I want to contribute to the body of knowledge that guides our profession and will be working on a research project this summer.

Hometown:
Decatur, Georgia

Undergraduate school/degree:
Emory University–Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Religion

Tell us a little bit about yourself:
I was born in India but raised in Atlanta, Georgia. Although I grew up in the south, I would love to explore other areas in the United States as I love to travel and meet new people. I am also an avid runner, recently completing my first half marathon and currently training for a full marathon.

Why are you passionate about dentistry?
Dentistry is a medical field devoted to the patient. I think the close relationships made between a dentist and their patient is not only necessary but incredibly valuable. I also think that by meeting the challenges of providing oral health care to a varied population is very rewarding.