Class of 2024 Spotlights
On May 13, 135 students in the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine’s (RSDM) Traditional DMD Program and Internationally Educated DMD Program will graduate along with 30 postgraduate students in the school’s advanced dental education programs, namely endodontics, general practice residency, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orofacial pain, orthodontics, pediatric dentistry, periodontics, and prosthodontics. A handful of soon-to-be-graduates fielded questions about their time at RSDM.
RSDM’s Convocation 2024 will take place in person at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center on Monday, May 13 at 4 pm.
Rutgers Commencement 2024 is scheduled for Sunday, May 12 at SHI Stadium, starting at 10 am.
Odai Abushanab, Postgraduate Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS)
Where's home for you?
My family currently lives in Budd Lake, NJ, but we moved around a lot growing up. I underwent seven moves in seven years across three different countries: Jordan, Belgium, and the United States.
What were the highlights of your time at RSDM? What will you miss the most?
The highlights of my journey at RSDM were undoubtedly the meaningful experiences I had during our cleft lip and palate mission trips to Hebron, Palestine, in collaboration with the Palestine Children's Relief Fund, and to Bangladesh with Smile Bangladesh. These missions were profound opportunities to serve and make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. As I reflect on my time here, what I'll miss the most are the deeply rewarding moments of connection and impact these trips provided. While transitioning into a part-time faculty role, I'll continue cherishing the memories and the invaluable lessons learned from these remarkable experiences.
What are some takeaways from your RSDM journey that you'd like to share with current or prospective students interested in your program?
Reflecting on my OMFS journey at RSDM, I've gathered some invaluable takeaways that I believe could benefit current and prospective students.
· Embrace opportunities: RSDM offers a wealth of opportunities beyond the classroom, such as mission trips and community outreach programs. Seize these chances to broaden your horizons and make a tangible impact in the world.
· Cultivate compassion: Dentistry is not just a profession; it's a vocation centered around caring for others. Through interactions with diverse patient populations and engaging in service-oriented initiatives, cultivate empathy and compassion as essential qualities of a healthcare provider.
· Prioritize balance: The rigors of dental school and residency can be demanding but remember to prioritize self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Find activities or hobbies outside of academics that rejuvenate your spirit and keep you grounded.
· Network and collaborate: Forge connections with classmates, faculty members, and professionals in the field. Collaborative relationships not only enrich your learning experience but also open doors to future opportunities and mentorship.
· Stay resilient: Challenges are inevitable, but it's how you respond to them that matters most. Cultivate resilience in the face of adversity, seek support when needed, and maintain a growth mindset to navigate obstacles and emerge stronger.
By embracing these principles, you'll not only excel academically but also develop into a compassionate and well-rounded dental professional equipped to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Any leadership roles/scholarships/awards/achievements you want to share from your RSDM time?
During my time at RSDM, I had the honor of serving as chief resident in my final year of residency, a role that not only deepened my clinical skills but also allowed me to mentor and support my co-residents. Additionally, I had the privilege of presenting a research poster at the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) Conference in September of last year. These experiences not only bolstered my leadership abilities but also provided invaluable opportunities for professional growth and networking within the field.
What are your next steps? Future aspirations?
My next steps involve joining Ridgewood Oral Surgery alongside Dr. [Manaf] Saker, where I'll be contributing my expertise to a private practice setting. Simultaneously, I'm thrilled to continue my journey at RSDM, taking on a part-time faculty role. This will afford me the opportunity to mentor and guide residents and students, while also staying engaged in the academic and clinical aspects of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Additionally, I'll be taking on facial trauma and emergency call duties, allowing me to continually apply and refine my skills in high-pressure situations. It's a responsibility I'm eager to take on, knowing that I'll be making a real difference in patients' lives when they need it most.
Joy Chang, Traditional DMD Program
Where's home for you?
I was born and raised in California but have spent most of my adult life on the East Coast in the tri-state area.
What were the highlights of your time at RSDM? What will you miss the most?
The biggest highlight of RSDM is the people that make up our community. From my classmates, upper and underclassman during my time to the faculty and staff, the people here make RSDM a special place and I will most definitely miss them the most.
What are some takeaways from your RSDM journey that you'd like to share with current or prospective students?
My biggest takeaway from RSDM is that there is always something more to learn. Dental school is a unique place where we have access to the clinical expertise and experience of many different faculty members. It is up to us during school to learn as much as we can, but it does not end here. I hope that current and prospective students alike will take advantage of the many different clinical viewpoints, techniques, ideas, and experiences to guide their growth into dentists.
Any leadership roles/scholarships/awards/achievements you want to share from your four years?
I served as the vice president and president of the Rutgers chapter of the American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD) during my four years, served as our class vice president for our D4 year, and also was the student representative for RSDM to the Rutgers University Senate. I also was an Honor Council member for four years. I was the recipient of the Oral Health Foundation Pierre Fauchard Academy Scholarship in my D3 year and also received the EJI Scholarship in my fourth year.
What are your next steps? Future aspirations?
Next year, I will be doing a general practice residency at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. I hope to continue learning and honing my clinical skills and eventually.
Maria Fairfield, Traditional DMD Program
Where's home for you?
I was born and raised in northern New Jersey. I went to undergraduate school at The College of New Jersey and am now at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in New Jersey. New Jersey has and will always be home for me!
What were the highlights of your time at RSDM? What will you miss the most?
RSDM has connected me with lifelong friends. These friends were a huge part of my support system throughout the past four years, and the highlight of my time has been forming and cultivating relationships with them. I will miss seeing them every day. Whether it be our daily lunches in the cafeteria or randomly running into them in the clinic, having my friends alongside me throughout this journey is something I will be forever grateful for.
Another highlight has been forming relationships with the faculty at RSDM. I have not only learned from them, but I have also gotten to know them as people. They have been supportive and encouraging, and I will miss interacting with them every day. They are more than my faculty, but rather my mentors and future colleagues.
What are some takeaways from your RSDM journey that you'd like to share with current or prospective students?
Dental school is a difficult journey. It can be stressful. It is important to take a step back to acknowledge and celebrate the little wins. Rutgers provides a great dental education, especially clinically, which will be rewarding in the long run as a dental practitioner, no matter how stressful it is at a given moment.
Any leadership roles/scholarships/awards/achievements you want to share from your four years?
Over the past four years, I have served the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine Class of 2024 as the student body treasurer. I was an admissions ambassador for RSDM prospective students. I also had the privilege of being a mentor to high school and college-aged students interested in a career in dentistry through Rutgers' gateway programs. I have been awarded the Champions Endowed Scholarship, Rosemary and Todd Bryan Endowed Scholarship, and Robert E. Gillis, Sr. DMD Endowed Scholarship during my time at RSDM. I have also been inducted into RSDM's Omega Omega Chapter of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) National Dental Honor Society.
What are your next steps? Future aspirations?
Next year, I will be attending a general practice residency at Morristown Medical Center in Morristown, NJ. After my residency, I would like to work in private practice. Eventually, I plan to work with my older sister who is also an RSDM alumna!
Olga Lorenzo, Traditional DMD Program
Where's home for you?
Home is New Jersey! I was born in Passaic and moved to Lyndhurst around age 5. I lived in Lyndhurst through college, then moved to Montclair, where I met my now husband. Throughout dental school, we’ve lived nearby in Belleville, and our dream is to move back to Montclair one day. I plan to start my career working in Rutherford, NJ.
What were the highlights of your time at RSDM? What will you miss the most?
The highlight of my time at RSDM was my participation in the 2023 La Romana Mission trip with Dr. Herminio Perez, a few of my classmates, and other dentists, some of whom are now my mentors. Community service in dentistry has always been important to me and that experience reinvigorated my passion for dentistry, and due to the higher volume of dentistry we did there, it helped increase my confidence in the clinic. It was an unforgettable experience!
What are some takeaways from your RSDM journey that you'd like to share with current or prospective students?
As dentistry was my second career, I set out to be intentional about my learning while here. This has left me with little to no regrets about what I have taken in over the years. I would encourage current and prospective students to view dental school as a journey and try to embrace and enjoy the learning process. Ultimately, these four years are an investment in yourself, and you will get out of it what you put in.
Any leadership roles/scholarships/awards/achievements you want to share from your four years?
I am grateful to have been the recipient of various scholarships during my time here such as the Drs. Shanti, Kanti, Subhash Jain and Mrs. Sarla Jain Endowed Scholarship, the Encore Dental of NJ Endowed Scholarship, and the RSDM Endowed Minority Scholarship. Further, I have enjoyed leadership roles in some of the student organizations such as the Student National Dental Association (SNDA) and Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA).
What are your next steps? Future aspirations?
I’m excited to start my career in private practice working alongside my mother who is a general dentist and in the same building as my sister who is a pediatric dentist. I’m grateful to have them as mentors as I navigate the early parts of my career. I look forward to taking some of the interesting CE [continuing education] that is available to us, especially the hands-on courses. I love that dentistry is full of lifelong learning, it is one of the things that attracted me to this career. As I get closer to graduation, I feel a mix of excitement and nervousness, but mostly gratitude as I enter this next phase in life.
Deven Rawlani, Postgraduate Prosthodontics
Where's home for you?
Pune, India
What were the highlights of your time at RSDM? What will you miss the most?
Reflecting on my time at RSDM, I find it challenging to isolate singular highlights, as every facet of my three-year journey has been imbued with significance. As an international dentist, I was privileged to get matched to the Rutgers prosthodontics program during my first application cycle. Transitioning from a nervous and inexperienced general dentist to a confident [Dr. Steven] Morgano Prosthodontist has been a transformative journey.
At the heart of this evolution has been the outstanding mentorship offered by esteemed faculty members such as Drs. [Steven] Morgano, [Shankar] Iyer, [Heba] Elkassaby, [Asha] Samant, and [Rami] Muadab, among others. Their guidance not only facilitated the exchange of ideas but also cultivated a culture of critical thinking and the application of skills.
The camaraderie forged with my colleagues has been invaluable, and I will fondly reminisce about the meaningful relationships cultivated during my time at RSDM. Indeed, the past three years have been replete with cherished memories, and I will undoubtedly miss the accessibility of mentors and faculty for insightful treatment planning sessions and guidance.
What are some takeaways from your RSDM journey that you'd like to share with current or prospective students interested in your program?
The PG Prosthodontics program at RSDM offers a highly immersive clinical experience, providing an ideal environment for refining diagnostic acumen and manual dexterity. Each day presents a diverse array of full-mouth rehabilitation cases, necessitating meticulous diagnosis and treatment planning. This program fosters a transformative shift in perspective, enabling students to approach cases with a comprehensive insight.
Prosthodontists serve as the orchestrators of multidisciplinary cases, responsible for meticulously planning patient treatment, coordinating a team of specialists, and steering the course of treatment toward transformative outcomes for the patient's quality of life. I highly recommend the PG Prosthodontics program at RSDM for prospective applicants.
Any leadership roles/scholarships/awards/achievements you want to share from your RSDM time?
During my time at RSDM, I had the privilege of participating in numerous CE [continuing education] courses and conferences, providing me with a forum to showcase my work through scientific poster presentations. Notably, I received recognition for my work at the Balbo Day event, hosted by RSDM, where I was honored with the Best Poster Presentation Award in the postgraduate category.
Furthermore, I am honored to represent my department by presenting two scientific posters, under the guidance of Dr. Edward Chien, at the forthcoming ITI World Symposium, scheduled to convene in Singapore in May 2024. In addition to my poster presentations, I will serve as a teaching assistant for a workshop on Smilecloud, a prominent AI smile design and collaboration platform.
Moreover, I completed the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Maxi Course TM during my time at RSDM. This comprehensive year-long program equipped me with an understanding of diagnostic and treatment modalities essential for the proficient management of patients eligible for dental implant therapy.
Additionally, I assumed leadership roles within the institution, serving as an orientation leader at the New Brunswick Campus and as a graduate assistant in the Restorative Dentistry Department at RSDM.
What are your next steps? Future aspirations?
My immediate career plan involves seeking employment as an associate within a private practice setting, where I aim to accrue practical experience and refine my clinical aptitude. Looking ahead, I aspire to pursue further education by enrolling in an additional residency program in the coming years.
Eleanor Reynolds, Internationally Educated DMD Program
Where's home for you?
I have spent the majority of my life in Kingston, Jamaica, where I learned the importance of hard work, ethics, and discipline.
What were the highlights of your time at RSDM? What will you miss the most?
I will miss the people the most from the faculty to my friends, to patients. I would like to highlight Dr. Rosa Chaviano-Moran and Dr. Robert Shekitka, who both took the time out to listen and offer me advice when I needed it. I would also like to thank those in the dispensary who never got annoyed when I came up to the dispensary multiple times, you made my clinical journey enjoyable as they would always give me comic relief between patients. Last but not least, I will always be grateful for Ms. Brenda Brower as she was the first person that I interacted with prior to coming to Rutgers.
What are some takeaways from your RSDM journey that you'd like to share with current or prospective students?
My RSDM journey has been a fulfilling one. The level of education here is beyond anything I have ever experienced; the exposure that I have gotten to a multitude of disciplines in dentistry is one that I will be eternally grateful for.
Any leadership roles/scholarships/awards/achievements you want to share from your four years?
I was selected to attend the 2023 ADEA Student Development Leadership Program where I was able to meet Dr. Eleanor Flemming, who imparted words of wisdom in regards to evoking positive change. I also received the Robert E. Gillis, Sr. DMD Endowed Scholarship and for that I am grateful.
What are your next steps? Future aspirations?
I was selected for a residency program [in Saint Joseph's Hospital in Paterson, NJ] that will see me specializing in pediatric dentistry.
George Soliman, Traditional DMD Program
Where's home for you?
I grew up and live in New Jersey.
What were the highlights of your time at RSDM? What will you miss the most?
I enjoyed being part of the RSDM community and getting to know the faculty, staff, employees, and classmates. I also got to get involved in the organized dentistry community through New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA) opportunities for students. I will miss the people I’ve gotten to know the most.
What are some takeaways from your RSDM journey that you'd like to share with current or prospective students?
It’s important to get involved and take advantage of all the opportunities around you because you will learn so much from them. The classroom will only teach you so much, get out there and be part of something greater.
Any leadership roles/scholarships/awards/achievements you want to share from your four years?
NJDA Student Trustee, Foresight leader, tutor, Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) National Dental Honor Society Membership.
What are your next steps? Future aspirations?
I thank God that I will be an orthodontics resident at Montefiore Medical Center. I wish to be a great orthodontist and leader in the field of oral health care.
