I remember when my mother turned 70 and I asked her, “What does it feel like to be 70?” She answered, “I don’t recognize the person looking back in the mirror.” I didn’t get it at the time – I was young – but now I understand, especially since I am fast approaching that age.
Being a clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry has given me the opportunity to stay connected to young people, which I hope will keep me young at heart. I’m around these young people four days a week, and it is a gift because it gives me the privilege to see things through their eyes. I know they have concerns, as well as our early career dentists, and I know they’re worried about their future.
I’m around these young people four days a week, and it is a gift because it gives me the privilege to see things through their eyes.
I see that they have their whole career, and lives, ahead of them and although they have debt, I’m positive they will make a very good living and will easily pay those loans off. They have the choice of different models of practice and, for those who value solo practice, I remind them to not take to heart the nay-sayers; private practice is still alive and well. I look at these young students, and our early career dentists, and I see the future of our profession, our leaders. I can already tell who the leaders will be, and I’m excited for them, but some don’t realize that they too have the potential and ability to be leaders; for those individuals, it is our responsibility to help them embrace these characteristics.
I want them to be able to look back at their life when they’re my age and be happy with what they see, where they’ve been, who they’ve become. I believe as a community of dentistry, we need to be there for each other, to encourage each other, because dentistry can be a lonely profession if you isolate yourself. If you don’t get involved, you’re an island. It’s not fun to be on an island alone, especially if the people around you aren’t particularly interested in what you do, such as our families who would rather not hear about our latest extraction, especially at the dinner table. Networking with each other through branch meetings, special events, the Midwinter Meeting and study clubs is our LinkedIn.
I want them to be able to look back at their life when they’re my age and be happy with what they see, where they’ve been, who they’ve become. I believe as a community of dentistry, we need to be there for each other, to encourage each other, because dentistry can be a lonely profession if you isolate yourself. If you don’t get involved, you’re an island. It’s not fun to be on an island alone, especially if the people around you aren’t particularly interested in what you do, such as our families who would rather not hear about our latest extraction, especially at the dinner table. Networking with each other through branch meetings, special events, the Midwinter Meeting and study clubs is our LinkedIn.
I look at these young students, and our early career dentists, and I see the future of our profession, our leaders.
As a faculty member, I encourage our young dentists and our DMD4 and ASDMD4 students to join us at branch meetings. I encourage our young specialty residents and faculty to join us as well. I repeat the mantra: try all nine branches and see where you “fit in.” We assign branches based on the address we have on file, but anyone can request to be in a branch located conveniently near their office or their home.
As a profession we are connected to each other in ways that are different from other medical disciplines. We value our colleagues’ opinions, support each other during trials and tribulations, and encourage each other in our roles as leaders. Our current CEO, Heather Nash, commented that we are an incredibly tight-knit society, a family, and like all families we sometimes have our differences, but we forgive and move on; we are still one unified profession.
Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who came to the Installation of Officers in November at the Drake Hotel. Many attendees commented to me that the students in attendance brought a positive energy to our event. I am proud of them and their accomplishments, and I look forward to seeing them in leadership when I get my Jubilarian plaque. I’ll look back and say it’s been a wonderful life, even if I don’t recognize the woman in the mirror.
As a profession we are connected to each other in ways that are different from other medical disciplines. We value our colleagues’ opinions, support each other during trials and tribulations, and encourage each other in our roles as leaders. Our current CEO, Heather Nash, commented that we are an incredibly tight-knit society, a family, and like all families we sometimes have our differences, but we forgive and move on; we are still one unified profession.
Finally, I’d like to thank everyone who came to the Installation of Officers in November at the Drake Hotel. Many attendees commented to me that the students in attendance brought a positive energy to our event. I am proud of them and their accomplishments, and I look forward to seeing them in leadership when I get my Jubilarian plaque. I’ll look back and say it’s been a wonderful life, even if I don’t recognize the woman in the mirror.
I’ll look back and say it’s been a wonderful life, even if I don’t recognize the woman in the mirror.