Eastern Duo Pursues Audacious Pursuit of American Success
In a significant career milestone, Dr. Mohammed Almirza and Dr. Furqan Alwaely, a married couple from the Middle East, have been accepted into a 6-month Preceptorship at the esteemed Eastman Institute for Oral Health (EIOH) at the University of Rochester. This acceptance comes after their initial application in 2017, demonstrating the couple's persistent pursuit of excellence in their dental careers.
The couple, who moved to the U.S. in 2016 to provide a more stable life for their two sons, aged 11 and 13, have been making strides in their respective fields. Dr. Almirza has functioned as a teaching assistant in Oral Surgery, Endodontics, and Orthodontics, while Dr. Alwaely has shown a heart for treating patients with special needs, working in two departments dedicated to this patient population.
The Eastman Institute for Oral Health offers training for dentists to become specialists, and the couple will be completing an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) course to practice in the U.S. Dr. Almirza was chosen to be the ombudsmen for the biggest department, demonstrating his ability to resolve issues and understand resident concerns. Dr. Alwaely, on the other hand, completed a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) fellowship, gaining great skills and confidence to provide care for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The couple's dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed. Dr. Almirza was praised by Dr. Sangeeta Gajendra, clinical chief of Community Dentistry, for his dedication and help during staff shortages. Dr. Alwaely was even recognised with the Christine Burns Ideal Project Award for her advocacy of patient rights and improving medical and dental services for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The pathway for international dentists seeking opportunities like the Preceptorship at EIOH can be complex. While specific details about the Eastman Institute may not be available, general insights suggest that international dentists should research availability, ensure they meet the qualifications, apply through the appropriate channels, and network with current or former participants for valuable insights.
The couple's journey serves as an inspiration for other international dentists seeking opportunities in the U.S. They graduated from their respective programs in late June and are invited to join the EIOH faculty. Dr. Alwaely expresses excitement about joining the EIOH faculty and helping the community of people with special needs, while Dr. Almirza demonstrates his strong work ethic and willingness to help wherever needed.
Despite the challenges they faced when moving state to state, particularly for their sons' education, the couple's persistence and demonstration of skills, experience, and dedication led to their acceptance into the Eastman Institute for Oral Health's AEGD program the following year. Their story is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and a passion for making a difference in the lives of others.
[1] Source: Association of American Dental Schools (AADS) website on international dentists.
In their dedication to furthering their careers, the couple has also shown a commitment to home-and-garden, education-and-self-development, and lifestyle enhancement. Dr. Almirza, besides his work in Oral Surgery, Endodontics, and Orthodontics, has taken on roles that extend beyond the dental field, such as being the ombudsmen for the biggest department at EIOH, demonstrating a well-rounded approach to career development. Similarly, Dr. Alwaely, through her Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) fellowship, has shown a focus on education-and-self-development, aiming to improve medical and dental services for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their journey, marked by perseverance and hard work, serves as an example for other international dentists seeking opportunities, illustrating that a balanced lifestyle, which includes home-and-garden, education-and-self-development, and career development, can lead to significant achievements.
