DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
Women in Dentistry share advice and insight with students In honor of Women’s History Month in March, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted a Women in Dentistry Panel. The event was open to all current students; panelists included a mixture of faculty, staff, and alumni, all whom had diverse experiences varying from oral surgeon, to dental hygienist turned administrator, to social worker. Additionally, each was at a different point in her career providing a range of seasoned and fresh perspective. The following women were panelists: Mary Parise, D.D.S, Swati Chitre, D.D.S, Helena Perez, D.D.S, Joelle Elahad, D.D.S ’16, Marinelle de Campos, D.D.S, Elizabeth Rodems, M.S.W, Judith Jones, D.D.S, and Ms. Kimberly Raleigh, R.D.H. ’01, M.H.S. A. ‘06.
Women in Dentistry panelist provided candid and insightful responses related to their careers.
The panelists engaged in a lively and informative discussion about a variety of topics including balancing life and work, building your own practice, raising a family, addressing discrimination in the workplace, managing coworker relationships, and succeeding in your dental career. The event was dedicated to promoting and enhancing the development of women in leadership as both students and members of the Detroit Mercy Dental community. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion hopes to build on the success of this event with additional programming in the future.
Urban Impressions, a Youth Initiative, tours Detroit Mercy Dental On March 7, participants from Urban Impressions, A Youth Initiative, toured Detroit Mercy Dental. The cohort, consisting of 20 seventh graders from Spain Elementary, a Detroit Public School, interacted with dental students, learned about oral health, oral healthcare careers and the educational requirements, viewed the patient clinics, and participated in hands-on simulation experiences. Second-year dental students, Tyesha Martin and Keyanni Shaw, shared interesting stories with the group about their journey to dental school and even included a few pearls of wisdom. This program was started by Dr. Melanie E. Mayberry, clinical associate professor, in 2007 and consists of two-year mentoring curriculum designed to address the growing concern of racial and ethnic under representation of minorities in various health profession careers. Activities include Donuts with the Dentist career day, dental school tours, oral healthcare education, and hands-on dental simulation activities. To date, more than 150 children have participated in this initiative.
The cohort of middle schoolers listens to Keyanni Shaw, DS2, share information about her dental school experience
Dr. Mayberry provides a tour of the dental school, stopping in the library where the group observes an enclosed cadaver 36 |
LEADING EDGE SPRING/SUMMER 2017