Seventy-seven specialists from thirty diverse nations have been conferred degrees by the Eastman Institute.
Eastman Institute for Oral Health Holds Successful Conference
The Rochester chapter of the American Association of Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research recently held an in-person conference in early June. The event, which marked a significant return to in-person gatherings, featured 11 verbal presentations and 22 poster presentations.
One of the highlights of the conference was the presence of Dr. Edmund Khoo, an AEGD resident who served as a teaching assistant and presented a lecture series. His unique and exceptional contribution made him a valuable asset to the program.
Dr. Carlo Ercoli, professor and chair of the EIOH Prosthodontic Department, was introduced as a passionate educator, researcher, and servant leader. In his address, he shared that the purpose of education and learning is to turn personal challenges into endless possibilities, quoting William Butler Yeats, "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." He also emphasized the importance of helping fellow colleagues who may be struggling, likening life to a ladder where one should climb as fast as possible, but always have a hand to help others.
The conference also celebrated the achievements of several graduates. Dr. Darren Morgan, a graduate from the Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics program, expressed his gratitude for the love and dedication shown by everyone at Eastman. Thirty different countries were represented among the 77 graduates, reflecting the institute's commitment to diversity and inclusivity.
Several awards were handed out during the conference. Dr. Ruqian Yang and Dr. Matthew Sawaged won the William Bowen Award for their respective oral presentations, while Dr. Lawrence Camacho and Dr. Tamer Marzouk won the Basil G. Bibby Award for their poster presentations. The team of Drs. Daniel Monroy, Rebeca Keegan, Hetienne Macedo, Livia Barros, Abdallah Michail, and Konstantina Tzouma won the Gerald N. Graser Award for their case report "Dens Invaginatus Type IIIa."
Dr. Nisreen Al-Jallad and Dr. Ye Ding won the Michael G. Buonocore Award for their respective oral presentations. Dr. Jin Xiao, a faculty member, was recognised for his mentorship, having mentored 4 PhD students, 15 master's students, and 20 residents and students over the last five years.
The Eastman Institute for Oral Health's primary mission is twofold: to serve immediate community oral health needs, especially for underserved populations, and to prepare future dentists to work effectively in public health and underserved settings. This includes expanding access to care and equipping dentists with advanced training to address oral health disparities.
The values emphasized for its graduates include commitment to community service and reducing health disparities, preparation to work in underserved populations, dedication to high-quality clinical care and use of advanced technology, and engagement with a mission to heal and improve health equity.
The conference concluded with inspiring words from Gandhi, quoted by Dr. Ercoli, "Live as you were to die tomorrow, but learn as you were to live forever." Dr. Sean Meitner, a graduate from the Eastman Periodontology Residency program, and Zachary Hansen, a graduate from the Pediatric Dentistry program, also shared their experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance of resilience, teamwork, and collaboration.
With over 2,000 alumni from around the world, the Eastman Institute for Oral Health continues to make a significant impact in the field of dentistry, combining clinical excellence with social responsibility, and emphasizing community engagement, equitable access, and professional readiness for its graduates to contribute meaningfully to public oral health. The director and professor, Eli Eliav, DMD, PhD, encouraged the graduates to work as a team and collaborate with other healthcare providers.
- The Eastman Institute for Oral Health, with its mission focused on education-and-self-development, prepares future dentists to prioritize personal-growth and learning, equips them with advanced-training to address oral health disparities, and encourages them to engage in community service and collaboration.
- Dr. Carlo Ercoli, a passionate educator, researcher, and servant leader, emphasized the importance of education and learning at the conference, quoting that it is not just about filling a pail, but rather lighting a fire for personal-growth, and that helping fellow colleagues who may be struggling is essential for one's own learning and personal-development.
