UF SNDA 2013-14 Newsletter

snda newsletter spring issue

snda newsletter

STRIVING TO PROMOTE, AID, & SUPPORT THE ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT FOR MINORIITIES SPRING 2014

On behalf of the 2013-2014 Executive Board, I would like to thank you for paving the way and creating the foundation that has made the UF Chapter of the Student National Dental Association the successful organization that it is today. Without your vision and hard work, our chapter could have never reached the level of esteem that it has among both students and faculty within College of Dentistry. Through the years, UF SNDA has grown from a very small organization with very humble beginnings to a much larger group with members that span across various ethnicities and diverse backgrounds. The UF Chapter of SNDA is working tirelessly to uphold the mission to support and encourage the recruitment and retention of minority students in the field of dentistry. We are working hard to maintain a strong presence within the UF College of Dentistry as well as the Gainesville community.

In order to continue to grow as a chapter, we are asking for your donation to help fund many of the programs and events that are conducted by our organization throughout the year. With your support, we hope that SNDA can continue to give back to our community while building bonds and friendships that last a lifetime.

I look forward to your continued support for the UF Chapter of the SNDA as we work to create new ways to serve the community and implement programs that bring awareness to minorities within the field of dentistry. I want

to thank you again for your commitment and dedication to SNDA and I hope that we can continue to follow the path that you have created for us and build upon the rich legacy that is the UF Chapter of SNDA.

Sincerely,

Shaun S. Bullard

UF SNDA President 2013-2014

SNDA Hosts Oral Cancer 5K “On the beautiful morning of May 18th, 2013, burgundy and white balloons lined Bo Diddley Community Plaza leading to the starting line of the First Annual UFCD Oral Cancer Awareness 5K,..”

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Mini Impressions “The goal of the mini impressions program is to expose high school minority students to the rewarding field of dentistry while providing a memorable experience….”

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Greetings SNDA ALUMNI by Shaun Bullard: President

snda newsletter | spring 2014 issue 2

SNDA is an organization that has always found pride in being a tightly bonded group of individuals and more importantly, a family. As the organization began expanding rapidly throughout the past couple years, the sense of family was quickly decreasing. Something had to be done.

Three years ago, the 2011 SNDA e-board brainstormed on ideas on how to bring back the family and cohesiveness to our organization. We came up with this great idea of hosting a soiree at Dr. Demetrick Lecorn; An SNDA chapter advisor, and an endodontic graduate of the University Of Florida College Of Dentistry. This event took place at Dr. Demetrick Lecorn Fiore’s Café in

Ocala, Florida. It was a semi-formal event, where all of the SNDA members, alumni and spouses were invited for a night of great food, drinks and fellowship as the holidays approached. This event was a great way for upperclassmen to network with well-established dentists in the community. This was also an event for underclassmen to familiarize themselves with SNDA’s members.

The soiree was such a success that this has become an annual event for the organization. The event has quickly

grown and this year there were over 45 people in attendance; our biggest crowd yet.

As we continue to grow as an organization, so will this special event. With the support of our wonderful alumni and advisors we hope to continue this tradition for many years to come.

Sometimes it is said that the first impression matters the most. The vision of Dr. Kimberly Edwards-Beal (1999-2000 SNDA National President) can certainly attest to that. In 1999, Dr. Edwards-Beal envisioned the need to start an initiative that would provide a platform for recruitment and outreach of minority students. Her vision birthed the Impressions Program, which has become a hallmark of SNDA.

For the past six years, the University of Florida chapter of SNDA has had the Impressions Program for underrepresented

minorities all over Florida as well as Georgia. The UF SNDA Impressions Program has grown to become the most noted community service initiative. The program brings students and faculty of all disciplines together to aid in the success of the UF SNDA Impressions Program. During the Program participants take impressions, wax teeth in Sim-Lab, are given a DAT preparation session, a mock interview, an American Student Dental Association presentation, a tour of the dental school, and a question and answer session with a panel of dental students. The 2013 UF SNDA Impressions Program sparked the largest interest with close to 200 applicants this year. We allowed 50 participants. This year we have already traveled to Florida A & M University to increase Black attendance at next year’s event. Our goal is to spark passion for dentistry in the hearts of minorities through our Impressions Program!

Soiree at Dr. Lecorn’s by Patrick Lolo: Vice President

Making a Lasting Impression by Jimmy Orphee


event photo reel:

“Shelly had a vision to bring an oral cancer awareness 5K to Gainesville, FL, and was

very pleased to see it culminate into a wonderful and well-received event.”

On the beautiful morning of May 18th, 2013, burgundy and white balloons lined Bo Diddley Community Plaza leading to the starting line of the First Annual UFCD Oral Cancer Awareness 5K, organized and coordinated by Shelly Taylor, a third year SNDA member. Throughout downtown Gainesville, signs showcasing oral cancer facts defined the race route. For UFCD’s 1st Annual Oral Cancer Awareness 5K, more than 200 people gathered together to raise awareness about oral cancer. Runners, walkers, and local citizens received free oral cancer screenings from local dentists and UFCD faculty and students.

Oral cancer has a death rate higher than that of cervical cancer, skin cancer, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Close to 40,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year and only slightly more than half will be alive in 5 years. It will cause over 8,000 deaths this year, killing roughly one American every hour of every day.

The death rate associated with this cancer is particularly high not because it is hard to discover or diagnose, but because the cancer is routinely discovered later in its development. This is a disease that we have the opportunity to change drastically, through early detection initiatives. If caught early, oral cancer has one of the highest overall treatment and survival rates.

The Oral Cancer Awareness 5K sent the critically important message of early

detection and prevention not only to the general public, but also to health care providers who are the front-line specialists in screening for and detecting this disease at its earliest, most curable stages. Volunteers provided over 50 free oral cancer screenings during the event.

UFCD broke new ground with the First Oral Cancer Awareness 5K in Gainesville, FL, by raising over $2,500 for the Oral Cancer Foundation. Leading up to the event, volunteers secured sponsorships from Dr. H. Paul Taylor, D.D.S., Millhopper Family Dentistry, Jenny Craig, Dr. Bertram Hughes, D.M.D, Weight Watchers, Muscle Milk, and DELL.

Shelly had a vision to bring an oral cancer awareness 5K to Gainesville, FL, and was very pleased to see it culminate into a wonderful and well-received event. The UFCD Oral Cancer Awareness 5K was truly a collaborative effort with the help of student volunteers from UFCD and across Florida.

Get excited for this year’s Oral Cancer Awareness 5K on May 31st, 2014!!

SNDA Hosts Oral Cancer 5K Inspired by Shelly Taylor


SNDA Fundraising Minute by Ashley Baptiste

2013 was a great year for SNDA fundraising events! A social was held at 101 Downtown Gainesville this past spring to help raise funds for the annual SNDA Impressions Program. With the help and support from our fellow dental school colleagues, we were able to raise over $500! Thanks to this effort, SNDA was able to host one of the best Impressions Programs to date. For the holiday season, SNDA sold Candy Grams to the students, faculty, and staff at UF College of Dentistry. We collected over $500 and donated a large portion of that to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We have many exciting events planned for 2014 and would gladly welcome any financial donations that you can provide (please see the attached mail in envelope).

Impressions programs are designed to expose underrepresented pre-dental students to a career in dentistry as well

as the application and financial aid process. The goal of the mini impressions program is to expose high school minority students to the rewarding field of dentistry while providing a memorable experience. This program allows those selected students to learn about the hosting dental school network (dental students and admissions committee members) and to become stronger dental school

applicants. The participants will also have a question and answer session, receive a tour of the dental school and have a first-hand look at the life of a dental student. Activities will include waxing, alginate impression taking, and presentations from the UFCD faculty and student clinicians.

Mini Impressions by Tirzah Brittlebank


In summer of 2006, I was approached by a then 4th year dental student, named William Gray who asked me to be faculty advisor for SNDA. Without giving it much thought, I said yes. Not long after, I had to attend the Summer Research Institute for Dental Faculty at the University of Washington, in Seattle. During this 6 week period, I had the chance to reflect on what it meant to be the faculty advisor for SNDA. After much thought, I started to have trepidations about the enormity of the responsibility, and wondered if I was up to the task. I met Dr. Madelyn Coar, an African American lady and experienced faculty member from University of Alabama Dental School, who was also part the summer research program and shared my feelings with her. It's easy sometimes for faculty to get caught up in the popularity contest with students and I was worried about that. I was also concerned that since I wasn’t an American and more importantly, I didn't attend a US dental school, I didn't feel qualified to be an advisor to US-trained students who may have a different background from me. She told me “Abi, just do the best you can and always be true to yourself”. Looking back, this was my best advice I ever received, because once I returned to UFCD at the end of that summer, I was committed to being the best advisor that I could be, yet being me. Over the past 7 years, living up to that expectation has been both a challenge and a joy. It has been a challenge because being an advisor and a mentor has been an investment of my personal time and energy. It has been a labor of love that has required getting to know students on a personal level, developing an individual relationship with each student as well as gaining their trust. I have also learnt the importance of respecting and protecting the confidentiality of those relationships. In

many ways, it became a courtship of sorts. I have learnt that there are basic ingredients to success and I have tried to instill that in the students. In my time as advisor here at UFCD, I have been privileged to personally mentor close to 30 students and advised an additional 10. I am glad that under the leadership of former Dean Dolan, the college of dentistry has committed to increasing diversity within UFCD. Since I became advisor, the total number of active SNDA membership which was about 6-7, has grown to more than 40 students.

In addition, within the college, I believe the visibility and diversity of the SNDA membership has increased, in a positive way. I feel that this representation has done a lot to improve confidence within SNDA and also strengthen collaborations among the student body in general as well as between the students, faculty and the college administration. Some of the events that have facilitated these partnerships have been, to name a few; the annual SNDA Impressions Program (started in 2008), numerous community events organized by SNDA such as Participation in SNMA Mentorship Program Panel, Wax N Relax sessions, the first ever Specialty Showdown, an event organized by SNDA to help their peers gain an informal insight into US Residency programs, the annual fund raising Christmas Candy Grams and valentine Val-O-grams, Annual Mini-impressions program (started in 2011), Oral Cancer Awareness 5K, FAMU Presentation Day Information, a collaborative event by the UFCD office of admissions and SNDA, aimed at improving awareness among FAMU students in the pre-health professions about the dental school application process, the increased participation of minority students in humanitarian mission trips, and recently, the rise in the number of minority and specifically SNDA students now considering residency applications.

Being advisor has taught me some personal lessons along the way and these are mainly the importance of being patient and open-minded, to be respectful and sensitive when dealing with all types of people. I have also learnt that based on their background and personality, students would teach you how to mentor them. In spite of this,

the basic rules of success remain the same: A few are listed below:

1) The college of dentistry is a professional (grown-up) school and I believe it is important for students to act in a professional manner whether you are at school or not.

2) Always be prepared whether you are in the clinic or the classroom.

3) Always put your best foot forward in all your interactions and make sure that when you show up, you are present.

4) Hard work, good manners and a great attitude goes a long way in ensuring your success.

5) Perhaps last but certainly not the least; you get out of your education what you put into it.

Being an advisor over the years has given me so much joy and I am proud of the successes of all my mentees. I have benefitted from these relationships immensely and most of them have now become personal friends. With our increased membership within the SNDA family, I'm delighted that in the last year, Dr. Demetric LeCorn, an amazing Endodontist from Ocala, FL and well-respected UFCD Alumni has agreed to be co-advisor of SNDA. He has been extremely instrumental in developing a network with our alumni to expose our student membership to opportunities for increasing their interactions’ with fellow practitioners.

Finally, this piece would not be complete without certain people who have allowed and supported the SNDA vision behind the scenes over the years; namely my beloved mother, the late Mrs. Beatrice Adewumi, for the gift of her amazing insight and wisdom, Former Dean Dolan, Dr. Venitta Sposetti, Dr. Patti Xirau-Probert, Dr. Pamela Sandow, Stacy Buford, Censari Abare in the offices of admission and education; Dr. Erica Bennett; Dr. Henrietta Logan, my own faculty mentor, Dr. Marcio Guelmann, my chairman, for their continual support; Faculty at UFCD, and perhaps most of all, past and present dental students who have opened their hearts and minds to me and allowed me to part of their UFCD journey.

It has been a privilege and an honor to be the faculty advisor for SNDA over the past seven and half years and I look forward to many more years of service.

A Bird’s eye view of an SNDA Faculty Advisor by Dr. Abi Adewumi


Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday I was a third year dental student serving as President of SNDA. Reality is that was 11 years ago. Time really does fly and I have thoroughly enjoyed the ride. For those who may not know me, I graduated from UFCD in 2002 and after a brief year of practicing general dentistry, I was accepted into the endodontic residency program at UFCD. I completed that program in 2005 and have been in private practice in Ocala, FL ever since. I have served on the admissions committee at UFCDS since graduating from my residency and have been adjunct clinical faculty in the department of endodontics since 2008. Furthermore, I have served as co-advisor to SNDA and my devotion to this organization has never wavered.

SNDA has been near and dear to my heart since I was a dental student being mentored by legends that come before me such as T.K. Tibby and Kym Mumford. These two ladies thrust me into SNDA head first and put me to work as quickly as I got to UFCD and I am still grateful to them for doing

so. SNDA was small in numbers but very active and vocal on campus. As co-faculty advisor, I have had the pleasure of seeing the organization grow not only in numbers but also generationally and culturally and maintain its level of activity and vibrancy. The transition from dental student to faculty and faculty co-advisor to SNDA has been truly amazing. I have enjoyed being involved and having input in all the activities of the organization and its students. I tell the members all the time that this is their organization to run and Dr. Abi and I are there to guide them along the way. They do just that! From mission trips to Mini Impressions, national conventions to senior sendoff dinners, these students work hard and are proud of their organization and their achievements. They make me proud to be co-advisor to SNDA and proud to be a gator!

“I have had the pleasure of seeing the organization grow not only in numbers but also

generationally and culturally and

maintain its level of activity and vibrancy.”

Personally, during this transition from SNDA student member to co-faculty advisor of the organization, I feel I have given little and gained a lot. The members of SNDA have taught me much over the years and one thing I have learned is the importance of mentorship busy

with the "day-to-day" stuff that cramp our schedules. We have families, run practices, maintain personal lives outside of family and work, and often it feels like there is simply not enough hours in a day. I understand! Let’s just not forget our past and where we come from. Remember the ones who helped you out along the way and don't ever forget the importance of giving back. None of us would be where we are today if someone hadn't believed in us. We ask your support of our UFCD chapter of SNDA and ask that you would remain active in our organization. Render your support, join us in our activities, come by and meet our students and share some of your professional experiences with them. This is so needed, important, and appreciated. I miss you all dearly and think of SNDA members that came before and after me often. I wonder where you are, what you are doing, what your lives are like after UFCD, what your families and practices are like and even wonder what experiences you have had. It's so easy to lose contact and not keep in touch. You are remembered and thought of fondly. After all, what would I have done without my UFCD family to get me through when I was in dental school? I ask that you all will keep in touch. Send an email now and then. Pick up the phone and call. Show your support to your Alma Mater and your organization. UFCD SNDA was one of the best things that happened to many of us and I pray we remember that.

Member to Advisor Transition by Dr. Demetrick W. Lecorn, DMD, MS


Alumni Adjustment: how did SNDA help you in your new role? by Dr. Christina Monford

Throughout my four years at the University of Florida College of Dentistry (UFCD), I was an active member of the Student National Dental Association (SNDA). I served as

the financial secretary, social chair, on various committees including Impressions program and initiated the first Mini Impressions program for High School students at UFCD. I also had the opportunity to travel and be a part of the National Dental Association Annual Conventions.

As a member of SNDA, I have encountered valuable opportunities to develop lifelong skills and friendships. SNDA was not just an organization for me it was second family. Even through all of the hard work of school and planning programs and events, we took time to fellowship, socialize and support one another. Surviving dental school was a major challenge and without the help of the members, advisors and alumni I would not have

been able to make it.

My active involvement in SNDA had enabled me to consistently help others in need and continue my passion for community service. More importantly, being involved a community service organization with SNDA enabled me to learn and apply valuable skills that I would not have gained in other settings such as school. Transitioning from a dental student to a professional, I was able to exhibit important communication, interpersonal, organization, time-management, and leadership skills. Such skills had not only helped me become a better student in class and clinics, but had also enhanced my ability to be both an effective individual and team leader in my career.

UF SNDA Executive Board 2013-‐2014

Position Name Contact Co-‐Advisor Dr. Abi Adewumi [email protected]

Co-‐Advisor Dr. Demetrick W. Lecorn [email protected]

President Shaun Bullard [email protected]

Vice President Patrick Lolo [email protected]

Secretary Abby Tongco [email protected]

Historian Ashley Baptiste [email protected]

Treasurer Shelly Taylor [email protected]

Community Service Stephen Obeng [email protected]

Social Chair Jimmy Orphee [email protected]

Parliamentarian Priya Shah [email protected]


SNDA Receives Award: Last year, the SNDA's most outstanding community service award was received by it's first recipient, Dr. Sarah El-‐Sherbini. This new award was announced during the class of 2013's senior banquet. The award is given to a senior SNDA member who has shown outstanding commitment to their community through service. It is SNDA's hope that one day this award

will become a scholarship in the future years to come.

Donation request:

An inspiration to give. You can share a heartfelt gift with future members of SNDA and make a contribution that will fund our numerous programs taking place

throughout year. It’s simple: Send a gift amount by placing a check into the included stamped envelope, and then place it in the mail box. Thank you for your

contribution towards our SNDA family and your continued support to inspire generations to come. Please make checks payable to “UF SNDA”.

Documents

UF SNDA 2013-14 Newsletter