Dedication at its finest

BY: TRISH ELLIOTT VP, People and Systems

Deja Yslava didn’t always know what she wanted to be when she grew up, but she knew she wanted to earn a college degree. Her father, a self-made, hardworking man whose highest level of education was his sophomore year of high school, instilled this dream in Deja and her sister. His life’s greatest dream was for both of his daughters to graduate from college. This past May, his dream became a reality when Deja crossed the ASU stage in her cap and gown to collect her bachelor’s degree in community health, a feat made possible through the PDS College Advancement Program.

Deja’s collegiate journey started in 2015 when, ironically, she began attending on-campus classes at ASU. Due to life circumstances, she had to stop two years shy of graduating, in part due to the heavy financial burden. Deja grew up in a lower socioeconomic neighborhood and saw firsthand how this contributed to unhealthy community lifestyles through lack of access, education and often affordability. She became interested in dedicating her career to helping others through the field of community health.

After starting at PDS two and a half years ago first as a healthcare coordinator, then specialty healthcare coordinator, assistant manager and now operations manager in training, she feels she has found a home impacting community health through dentistry.

“I learned a lot about health literacy through my degree program and how every patient has a different understanding of his or her own health. Most adults have a fourth grade health literacy level,” Deja said. “In my work as OMT, it’s a good reminder to meet patients where they are as individuals and help educate them about not only their oral health but its connection to their overall health.”

When PDS announced the College Advancement Program in 2021, she truly felt like it was a message meant just for her. Call it God, fate or simply stars aligning, this was the opportunity Deja had been hoping for. With the financial investment covered, Deja could focus on her work and academics without worrying about how to pay for it.

“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cried. I really didn’t know if I would be able to go back to school again. I am so grateful for this opportunity and the support I received from my managers along the way,” Deja said. “I feel seen and heard and I have a strong sense of loyalty and appreciation for the investment PDS made in me.”

If Deja could give one piece of advice to anyone questioning whether to start an academic journey of their own, it is this: “I was so scared and doubted whether I could balance school while working full-time. My husband was my biggest cheerleader every step of the way which gave me the confidence to just go for it. My biggest advice is to focus on the end goal (and all of the little rewards in between) and believe in yourself. You will always feel like you’re never ‘ready’ but sometimes you have to take a leap of faith.”

Deja’s future goals include developing herself with PDS, becoming an operations manager, growing into a regional role, spending time with her very proud father, buying a house, starting a family with her adoring husband, taking up yoga and maybe even a pottery class or two. But for now, maybe a little sleep.

Congratulations to Deja and the other expected 2023 graduates. You make us smile! If you are a dental assistant, healthcare coordinator or operations manager interested in the PDS College Advancement Program, visit pacificdentalservices.instride.com to learn more.