Graduates from 77 specialized positions hailing from 30 different nations celebrated their achievements at the Eastman Institute.
Graduates of Eastman Institute for Oral Health Embrace Mission of Service
The University of Rochester's Eastman Institute for Oral Health (EIOH) recently celebrated the graduation of 77 students, representing 30 different countries. Among the graduates was Zachary Hansen, who shared that his experiences at the Strong Pediatric Emergency Department and the EIOH pediatric department had significantly boosted his resilience and confidence as a future provider.
The ceremony, held in the University's Feldman Ballroom, was marked by inspiring speeches from several distinguished figures in the field of dentistry. Dr. Carlo Ercoli, professor and chair of the EIOH Prosthodontic Department, was the evening's speaker. He encouraged the graduates to work as a team and collaborate with other healthcare providers, quoting William Butler Yeats, saying "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."
Dr. Ercoli also emphasised the purpose of education as a means to turn personal challenges into endless possibilities. He advised the graduates to remember the words of President Truman, "'It is what you learn after you know it all that really counts.'"
Dr. Jin Xiao, who has mentored four PhD students, 15 master's students, and 20 residents and students, shared insights from her extensive experience. She oversees residents who are treating patients in the perinatal clinic at the Specialty Care Clinic.
Dr. Linda Rasubala, who teaches AEGD, OFP and GPR residents at the Howitt Urgent Care Clinic, received a $1 million HRSA grant for clinician educators in dentistry. She is also part of a new grant that helps train other faculty on interdisciplinary primary care.
Dr. Edmund Khoo, an AEGD resident, presented a lecture series, research and educational seminars both nationally and internationally. His work reflects the institute's commitment to advancing dental education and research.
The Eastman Institute for Oral Health's primary mission is twofold: to address immediate community dental needs while preparing future dentists to serve in underserved areas. This commitment is reflected in its community-based clinics, such as the renovated clinic inside Enrico Fermi School No. 17 in Rochester. The clinic, equipped with modern dental chairs, diagnostic equipment, and safety upgrades, serves about 5,000 patients annually, many of whom rely on Medicaid and face barriers to care due to provider shortages and clinic closures.
The institute also provides advanced training for dentists within these public health settings to prepare them for careers serving underserved populations, creating a sustainable impact on dental access and quality. With over 2,000 alumni from around the world, EIOH continues to make a significant impact on oral health equity and the state's oral health crisis.
The graduation ceremony was a testament to the institute's mission and the dedication of its students. Neha Naik, an Analyst Lead for Axium/Dental Information Systems, started her career in dentistry 22 years ago at the front desk. She is a shining example of the institute's ability to nurture and inspire future leaders in the field.
Dr. Sean Meitner, an inventor with a number of patents on devices, surgical instruments and planning tools, was also honoured at the ceremony. He has been generously giving his time and talent to the residents, while also maintaining a busy private practice.
The Rochester chapter of the American Association of Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research held an in-person conference in early June, comprising of 11 verbal presentations and 22 poster presentations. This event further showcases the institute's commitment to research and innovation in the field of dentistry.
As the graduates embark on their careers, they carry with them the institute's values of Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. They are well-equipped to address the oral health needs of their communities and to make a positive impact on oral health equity.
Graduates of the Eastman Institute for Oral Health were encouraged to see education as a means to transform personal challenges into limitless opportunities, aligning with the institution's focus on both immediate community dental needs and the preparation of future dentists for underserved areas.
The alumni, armed with the institute's values, are poised to foster personal growth and learning in their careers, contributing to education and self-development in the pursuit of advancing oral health equity and addressing community dental needs.
