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Eastman Institute for Oral Health / Educational Programs / Thoughts From Our Residents & Alumni

From Our Residents & Alumni

  • “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 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)
  • “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 have an entirely new perspective on many dental procedures, all thanks to amazing faculty guidance. I don’t think I have ever been and 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)
  • “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)
  • “The faculty at Eastman are truly wonderful. They have provided me with unwavering guidance and support throughout my training. Their mentorship has been instrumental in my growth as both a clinician and as an advocate for patients.” – Dr. Lauren Shine (Peds ’25)
  • “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)
  • “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)
  • “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)
  • “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)
  • “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)
  • “My experience at Eastman allowed me to cultivate meaningful connections with clinicians from various specialties. My favourite thing was the opportunity to work in the operating room providing care to patients with special needs.” – Dr. Liana Umbrio (GPR ’25)
  • “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)
  • “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)
  • “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 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)

Check out some other EIOH education stories: