My McGill University experience was a highlight in my life. I learned so much and met so many great friends, many of whom I still keep in touch with and meet for ski trips every year.
Getting into McGill felt like my first big break and gave me the affirmation to feel confident that I had what it takes to achieve my goals. It was a big starting point for me and paved my way going forward. I was excited to study at McGill because of its quality and depth of people and knowledge, professors, and students alike.
My class had 50 per cent men and women. The cultural diversity stood out for me with people coming from different backgrounds, perspectives, and lives. I particularly enjoyed this aspect of it. I quickly came to realize how reputable McGill was: I wanted to do internships and residencies in the U.S. McGill’s name got me in the door. I did my speciality in San Antonio, Texas and my General Practice Residency (GPR) in Denver, Colorado.
We lived in the medical building most days and studied all night. I think that it gave me grit, and this carried me forward later on.”
Living in the city itself was beautiful too. I lived in the student ghetto, down from the Strathcona Anatomy and Dentistry Building, and have fond memories of my time there, the food at Amelios and my runs up Mount Royal.
McGill helped me learn how to work hard. We studied a lot. When I first got there, I thought it would be easy, but our first set of exams were 12 exams over six days, and this told me a very different story. We lived in the medical building most days and studied all night. I think that it gave me grit, and this carried me forward later on. Secondly, this experience got me thinking of specializing, and most of our class did this as well. Our professors were very supportive and helped us pursue these avenues. We worked hard and played hard and had a good time.
Mentorship is key and I was fortunate that my father was a periodontist as well. There were also many professors who encouraged me. Whether I was specializing in Texas or doing my residency in Colorado, so many people along the way helped and guided me with their advice and perspective every step of the way.
With disruptions there are a lot of opportunities. Many people will sit still and wait for the storm to pass, but you have to look further and be proactive. There are a lot of things you can do to get ahead and succeed. During the Covid-19 pandemic, all dentists in Canada were closed for two months, which is a long time, and it became apparent to me that to go back to work we would need better PPE tailored specifically to dentists’ needs. My son, who is an engineer, and I worked together to develop a custom face shield called Ambience Loop Shield. Now, dental students at McGill and across the country, as well as businesses across North America are using our equipment and we’ve had great success. This ambition and perseverance allowed me to get back to work and continue to do my job and help others in the field. Yes, there’s uncertainty, but there’s also opportunity and great things you can do.