Thursday Talks: Marisa Handelman-Yellin '11

Our next faculty feature is Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM) alumna and Assistant Professor Marisa Handelman-Yellin ’11. Learn more about her role and path to teaching.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do at RSDM.

I'm a general dentist by training and the group practice administrator for Group C in the predoctoral clinic. My role is to help guide the third- and fourth-year students through their clinical experience. I deal with patient care, patient management, communication, screenings, referrals, basically making sure that the students get all the experience they need and graduate on time. I'm also in the faculty practice, admissions, strategic planning, executive council, honor council, a faculty advisor, and recently elected vice president of academic assembly—I'm beginning to see why my husband jokes that this will all look great on my college application.

How long have you been here, and why did you decide to come to RSDM?

In 2011, I completed my dental education here, though it was called UMDNJ at the time. After a few years in private practice, I joined the faculty and have been here 10 years as of this past June. My journey back to RSDM started with my father running into [Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs] Dr. Michael Conte at a convenience store in East Brunswick, NJ. Dr. Conte was speaking to the clerk about the Indian Health Service Externship, and my father commented, "Oh my daughter went on that." Dr. Conte suggested I reach out to him if I wanted to get involved in the school. I did, and my application to volunteer turned into a full-time job.

What do you like the most about RSDM?

The students and the clinical programs—that’s why I love my job so much—it’s the perfect combination and truly what makes this place special.

What do you enjoy doing outside of school?

Outside of work, I'm a mother to two kids, an eight-year-old girl, who recently went away for her first summer at sleep-away camp and had the time of her life, and a five-year-old boy, who's about to be a newly minted kindergartener. I love to travel, with and without the kids, and have developed some expertise in the crazy world of planning Disney trips. I'm working on my tennis game, learning Mahjongg, and would love to get back into reading if I ever have any free time.