EIOH Resident Spotlight – Dr. Zain Ahmed
Dr. Zain Ahmed was selected among all U.S. Dental Public Health residents to receive a prestigious award from the American Association of Public Health Dentistry for his project. He also contributed to two published articles - a systematic review and a case report, and gave poster presentations at three different conferences - one of which received an honorable mention.
Q: Where are you from?
A: I am from India. My family lived in Oman, UAE and then we settled in Canada.
Q: Why did you choose Eastman?
A: Because it's close to home and several of my friends are Eastman alums.
Q: Best memory of your EIOH residency?
A: The times spent during Thursday lectures with Drs. Sangeeta Gajendra, Bedant Chakraborthy, Chintan Desai, Harold Nii-Aponsah, and my favorites Onur Nacakgedigi & Rubem Costa Araujo.
Q: In what way did your Eastman experience allow you to grow?
A: My program's core itself is about self-growth. Personally, Eastman made me increase my level of patience and understanding. Professionally, I have comparatively more understanding of community dentistry, school based dental programs, prospective studies and of course general practice dentistry.
Q: Next steps after graduation?
A: Find a community medical center or FQHC and practice community dentistry, while giving back to the society.
Q: Your biggest fear?
A: Not doing enough for the community.
Q: The one thing you can’t live without?
A: Family
Q: A person who has inspired you?
A: Dr. Evan B. Rosen (Prostho '13) A good friend and a life-long mentor. I am hoping to acquire at least a small percent of his perseverance and dedication towards academics and dentistry.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself?
A: If I change anything, then I wouldn’t be perfect anymore (JK). I am not sure, I think I am good as I am.
Q: Best advice you ever received?
A: Keep your head low and do your best; the rest will follow.
Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A: To read minds, to know what’s actually going on in there. Sometimes people are not wrong, it’s only their situations.
Q: If you could eat only one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: It has to be Hyderabadi Biryani – a dish of rice and marinated meat that is slow cooked over wood or charcoal, made with authentic Hyderabadi spices.