My commitment to community has always been an extension of why I chose dentistry in the first place. Caring for people does not begin and end in the operatory. I believe it shows up in the time you give, the spaces you serve in, and the organizations you invest yourself in. These experiences have shaped how I think about my role as a future clinician as much as anything I have learned in clinic.
Expanding access to care is something I feel personally called to. I have had the opportunity to serve patients through Clinica Latina and the Equality Clinic, providing dental care to underserved populations in a community setting. Most recently, I traveled with Clinica Esperanza on a mission trip, bringing dental services to patients with limited access to care. These experiences reinforced that great dentistry has to reach beyond the walls of a private practice.
Outside of clinical outreach, I have been involved with the Augusta Dream Center, Hand in Hand Respite, and the Master’s Table Soup Kitchen — organizations doing meaningful work for people in the Augusta community. Showing up consistently in spaces like these has kept me grounded in the human side of health care.
At DCG, I have taken on leadership roles that reflect both my professional interests and my commitment to service. As Continuing Education Chair for the Academy of General Dentistry student chapter, I help bring learning opportunities to my peers outside of the classroom. As Community Service Co-Chair for the Student National Dental Association, I help coordinate volunteer efforts that connect our student body to the surrounding community. As President of the Food Recovery Network, I oversee efforts to redirect surplus food to people who need it most.
I am also an active member of the Dental Research Society, the Endodontics Club, and the American Association of Women in Dentistry. These organizations have broadened my perspective and connected me with peers who share a passion for the profession.
My hope is to carry this same spirit of involvement into my career. I want to build a practice that is not just a place people come to for treatment, but one that is genuinely invested in the health and wellbeing of its community.