5 Questions
ADEA membership is made up of a diverse group of professions that span all facets of dentistry and dental education. But we are more than just our professions.
In the feature 5 Questions With, we shine a spotlight on various ADEA members, asking them five questions (both professional and personal), giving us all a chance to get to know one another better.
2026
1. What drew you to dental education (or dentistry)?
I was drawn to dental education by one of my professors in dental hygiene school. Each time I interacted with her, she showed patience and compassion. She knew so much and was always very enthusiastic about helping me learn. I decided early on that I wanted to be just like her.
2. What are you most proud of professionally?
I am most proud of the relationships I’ve built through mentoring students and faculty. Watching students grow in confidence has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. Seeing them succeed after graduation and knowing I played even a small role in their development means a great deal to me. I feel just as strongly about mentoring faculty colleagues as they grow in their careers and contributing to a culture where people feel supported, challenged and inspired to keep growing.
3. If you could change one thing about dental education (or dentistry) with a snap of your fingers, what would that be?
If I could change one thing, it would be to fully integrate intraprofessional education across all members of the dental team from the very beginning of their education. Dental students, dental hygiene students and dental assistants should learn alongside one another. Too often they are educated in parallel rather than together, which doesn’t do much to prepare them to work together once they graduate.
4. What’s your favorite TV show and why?
While I enjoy watching Grey’s Anatomy and Chicago Med, I admit that my real favorite show is The Golden Girls. It may seem unexpected, but it makes me laugh. In academic, healthcare environments, there is so much intensity, responsibility and constant problem-solving that we don’t always pause to find humor in the everyday moments. The Golden Girls reminds me not to take everything so seriously.
5. What do you look forward to outside of work?
Outside of work, I most look forward to spending time with my daughter, Eva. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch her navigate the world as the smart, funny and thoughtful adult she has become. Seeing her grow into her own person has been one of the greatest joys of my life.