“A great dentist”, “a kind dentist”, “a gentle dentist” – these were the normal, positive phrases that I hoped that my patients would use to describe me. Never did I think that one of the adjectives would be “ninja” and never did I think that many of my patients would refer to me as the “Ninja Dentist”. But I am, at least locally, thanks to the NBC show American Ninja Warrior. This past June, I was a featured athlete on American Ninja…

They say that everyone walks their own path in life – that everyone has their own journey. Everyone has hardships and problems, but it in the end it is how we overcame these obstacles to better ourselves.  My story is no different. In twenty eight years there have been a lot of struggles and fights. In fact, I am still struggling to come out on top. Looking back on my life, there have been a lot of significant factors that…

There is a movement amongst our society for women to ‘lean in’, for girls to accept and love their bodies, for gender equity in higher leadership, and for increased leadership development targeting women.  Certainly within this past decade, there has been a heightening of awareness where communities, groups, and individuals are intentionally shifting to address the question,  “How do we do a better job empowering our girls and women in areas of professional development and leadership equity?”  Furthermore, we are…

At the age of 8 I played tennis, enjoyed spending time with my family, attended business events with my Dad, embraced the idea of helping others, and not only enjoyed learning in the classroom but also from my parents. My exposure to the field of dentistry began at the age of 8 when I underwent gingival graft surgery around my lower incisors. It was a frightening experience, however, one that first opened my eyes to healthcare. Today, at the age…

Firsts Left Erinne Kennedy ’15 NOVA Southeastern; Right: Dr. Phyllis Filker, DMD, MPH Have you ever been the first to do something? The first to get your license in high school? The first in your family to graduate college? Or the first to win state or nationals representing a sports team? Being first seems easy when you see these icons in their glory.  The part society sees is the grand moment when a person becomes first. The moment the days,…