[Encouragement and mentorship]
I am a senior oral and maxillofacial surgery resident at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. I am also a graduate of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Class of 2000. I was particularly touched by Dr. Braswell’s story in the May issue of Woman Dentist Journal. As a female dentist and soon-to-be oral surgeon, I can easily relate to the trials and tribulations that she cleverly outlined in her piece.
I was initially attracted to the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in 1995, when I met with the then dean of students, a female periodontist, for my initial interview. She and I clicked right away. She portrayed the person - dentist, doctor, professional, academician, mother, wife, and mentor - that I hoped to become. While in dental school, I was mentored by the same four female faculty members with whom I now work at the hospital, and from spending time with them, I knew that staying on at Harvard to complete my oral surgery training was the right choice for me.
As I now look toward my last year of residency (I can’t believe that it’s been nearly 10 years since I entered dental school), I want to say thank you to the women along the way who inspired, encouraged, and mentored me in a career that continues to be predominantly male. I am now eager to complete my training and join an academic group in which I can treat patients, perform research activities, and mentor future females who wish to pursue careers in oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Thank you for publishing Dr. Braswell’s article; I’ve saved it to share with future female colleagues.
Marci Levine, DMD, MD
Resident in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Massachusetts General Hospital,
Harvard Program, Boston
CORRECTION ...
In the article, “Stop the Pain,” by Marie D. George, RDH, MS, and Linda C. Niessen, DMD, MPH, MPP, which appeared in the May 2005 issue of Woman Dentist Journal, there was a misprint in Table 1. For clarification, we are reprinting the correct information here. Woman Dentist Journal regrets the error.
