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Eastman Institute for Oral Health / Alumni / Thoughts from Alumni

What Alumni are Saying

  • “Eastman is a place where comfort zones come to retire. It is a place that will challenge you, push you, and show you what you are truly capable of. Here, you can choose to aim for the sky if you are committed to growth. The more you invest in the experience, the more it will give back to you.” – Dr. Tanvi Kaur Ahuja (OFP '26)
  • “My experience here was definitely life-changing. My journey at Eastman gave me all the tools to be an excellent professional and continue doing what I enjoy the most, to help people.” – Dr. Yailin Diaz Pichardo (Perio ’21)
  • “Eastman allowed me to expand my skillset in surgery and endodontics far beyond what dental school provided me.” – Dr. David Vaccaro III (GenDen ’25)
  • “My experience at Eastman taught me to think more deeply about the barriers many patients face in accessing and following through with care, growing to be a more empathetic, adaptable, and patient-centered provider. There were difficult moments, but they pushed me to grow in ways I didn’t always expect. By the end of my residency, I was not only a stronger clinician, but I understood myself better too.” – Dr. Shivani Shah (Peds ’26)
  • “I have an entirely new perspective on many dental procedures, all thanks to amazing faculty guidance. I don’t think I have ever been or will ever be surrounded by as many talented and intelligent mentors and researchers as well as co-residents as I have here at EIOH.” – Dr. Radhika Thakkar (GenDen ’23)
  • “The faculty here are incredibly dedicated and willing to teach. I learned to approach learning with humility, slow down, listen more, and adjust to each patient’s needs.” – Dr. Kevin Hu (GenDen ’26, MS ‘26)
  • “I will always remember the lives I changed by giving people their smiles and confidence back. I gained lots of hands-on experience in data analysis, grant writing, community partnerships and clinical dentistry. I also learned how to advocate for patients with confidence.” – Dr. Krisha Shah (DPH ’25)
  • “Eastman didn’t just train me to be a comprehensive dentist. It helped me become a stronger, more confident person. This is a place that genuinely invests in your development, not just as a specialist, but as a complete, well-rounded dentist and lifelong learner.” – Dr. Diya Kamdar (OFP ’26)
  • “The program exposed me to a wide variety of cases, each serving as a valuable learning opportunity. The unwavering support and guidance from faculty strengthened my skills even further, helping me feel confident and prepared for any clinical circumstance.” – Dr. Victor Munoz (Prostho ’26, MS ‘26)
  • “As a general dentist, I now feel confident and skilled in every aspect of my practice, and I'm much more comfortable performing procedures than I was four years ago. Eastman truly is a gem for anyone eager to grow in dentistry.”– Dr. Rebeca Vasconcelos Keegan (GenDen ’25, ’24)
  • “I enjoyed becoming more comfortable with patients with significant medical issues, special needs and different scenarios. All the residencies are intense at EIOH, but it’s all worth it. You gain a lot of great experience during your residency.” – Dr. Hamid Tofighi (Peds ’19, GPR ’17, GenDen ’16)
  • “I improved my ability to handle emergencies, enhance efficiency in treatment planning, and integrate evidence-based care into my practice. Personally, the experience taught me resilience, empathy, and adaptability.” – Dr. Megha Sheth (GPR ’25, GenDen ‘24, MS ‘24)
  • “Eastman has been a rollercoaster of challenges, growth, and unforgettable moments. Every tough case, late-night study session, and patient interaction has shaped me—not just into a better prosthodontist but into a stronger, more resilient person.” – Dr. Gabriela Parra (Prostho ’25)
  • “The faculty are so dedicated to providing exceptional mentorship. They truly lead with knowledge and kindness, and their expertise and humility continue to inspire me.” – Dr. Abdallah Michail (Ortho ’25, MS ’25)
  • “Every day, I learned something new. I was exposed to a wide variety of complex cases and had the opportunity to assist in and perform procedures that pushed me outside my comfort zone.” – Dr. Valeria Cotto Vazquez (GenDen ’26)
  • “The extent and quality of training we receive as residents is unparalleled, and the patient pool we treat is so diverse. Every patient who enters the clinic presents with a unique story- and if you take the time to pay attention, you’ll learn something invaluable every time.” – Dr. Alexandra Makara (Peds ’24)
  • “I have been blessed to be surrounded by a distinguished group of faculty and top-notch clinicians. The best part of the program is the camaraderie, my co-residents, and the close-knit alumni and faculty group.” – Dr. Shalom Benzaquen (Prostho ’24, MS ’24. Perio ‘27)
  • “I developed strong communication skills, learned to manage time efficiently, became more resilient in the face of challenges, and made relationships that will last a lifetime. One of the most unforgettable experiences was visiting Capitol Hill.  It was an eye-opening opportunity to meet with lawmakers and talk to them about why funding for oral health initiatives is so important.” – Dr. Livia Barros (GenDen ’24)
  • “I loved the mentorship, the close-knit group of residents, and being in Rochester. I made a lifetime of friendships not only from my program but from the various other programs that EIOH has.” – Jill Patel (GPR ’22)
  • “I feel incredibly well-prepared to step into practice. My residency has strengthened my ability to manage challenging cases, work efficiently in both the clinic and OR, and help children gain confidence in the dental chair.” – Dr. Kaylee Young (Peds ’25, GPR ’23)
  • “EIOH encouraged me to think out of the box. I developed good relationships with all my faculty, students, and staff from different backgrounds and cultures. We are like a family.” – Dr. Maryam Altuhafy (OFP ’21, MS ’21)
  • “Being surrounded by friends from different backgrounds, experiences, and struggles taught me so much, both in dentistry and in life. The environment equipped me with the expertise and confidence to accurately diagnose and manage complex orofacial pain conditions while working alongside specialists in neurology and physical therapy.”– Dr. Virda Baig (OFP ’25)
  • “EIOH developed my ability to efficiently perform tasks promptly without compromising my practice standards. My favorite thing about EIOH is the multi-disciplinary collaboration between specialties and the ability to perform advanced clinical tasks/procedures within each discipline. – Gasser Ibrahim (GenDen ’25)
  • “We studied different techniques in behavior guidance and applied these techniques. We learned to reduce fear and anxiety, to deliver quality care but most importantly, to promote a positive dental experience creating lifelong confidence for children in the dental setting.  I continue to use these techniques daily and with each patient in my practice.” – Dr. Chris Dixon (Peds ’13)
  • “Eastman has outstanding faculty and an exceptional learning environment. The strong focus on serving patients with disabilities and emphasis on a biopsychosocial approach to care were especially important to me. The most meaningful moments were coming together as a team to improve a patient’s quality of life, particularly for patients with special needs.” – Dr. Paola Moreno (GenDen ‘26)
  • “Eastman provided an incredible environment to refine my clinical skills, learn cutting-edge techniques, and build confidence in managing complex cases. My favorite thing about EIOH is the conglomeration of different perspectives from all over the world. I’ve learned more about cultures and eaten more diverse food than ever in my life.” – Dr. Katherine Mader Noeldner (Prostho ’25)
  • “I have become better at communicating with my patients, improved my treatment efficiency, and become a more confident provider. I have become a better listener and a more empathetic person overall.” – Dr. Darren Morgan (Ortho ’23)
  • “My time at Eastman was the best education I ever received. I was there during the Bibby and Buonocore years –a time that was so rich with ideas and scientific discoveries.” – Dr. Murray Rosenthal (GenDen ’64)