Education

Finding “Ever Better” at Eastman Institute for Oral Health

Jun. 4, 2026

“Do the best at what you do” has guided Dr. Cynthia Tran since childhood.

Dr. Tran's patients during her residency included puppies born with cleft lip and palate.

Growing up in San Francisco, California, Tran heard the phrase often from her mother – advice that extended far beyond academic or career goals.

“She meant it for everything,” Tran said, “For sports, school, or any job. I kept it written on a Post-it on my computer, as a reminder everywhere I went.”

Years later, that mindset led her to the University of Rochester’s Eastman Institute for Oral Health, whose Meliora philosophy – meaning “ever better” – felt strikingly familiar.

Tran initially applied to Eastman’s Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery program on the recommendation of a mentor from dental school, a decision she now considers pivotal in shaping her career.

“I feel fortunate to have trained here during a particularly special time in the program,” she said. “I had exceptional mentors who helped shape my future, and I worked closely with senior residents who have since become attendings, making the experience even more meaningful.”

Throughout residency, Tran embraced both the demanding clinical environment and the relationships that came with it. Some of her favorite memories involve joking with co-residents between long hospital shifts and spending time together outside the clinic.

“Your experience here is largely what you make of it,” she said. “If you actively seek out opportunities and connections, you’ll find mentors who recognize that initiative and support you in reaching your goals.”

Alongside her clinical training, Tran was also heavily involved in research. She recently presented at two national conferences and is currently preparing journal articles and book chapters for publication.

Even with a demanding residency schedule, she still makes time for moments of joy and escape, whether that means playing board games, building miniature models, revisiting episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, or going on hiking adventures with friends.

Dr. Tran and her husband have fostered more than 10 cats in their home.

Creativity also plays a major role in her life outside of surgery. If she had not pursued dentistry, Tran says she likely would have followed in her mother’s footsteps as a nail esthetician because it combines artistry, hands-on work, and caring for others.

Tran’s dedication to changing lives isn’t limited to humans, either. Together with her husband, she fosters cats and has helped more than 10 cats find loving homes over the past several years.

As she prepares for the next stage of her career, Tran knows she wants to continue treating complex surgical cases in the operating room – ideally while also exploring new restaurants and places along the way.

Favorite places in Rochester?

I love food, and there’s so many gems in Rochester. My favorites are Roux, Jack’s Extra Fancy, Shiki, Chuy’s, and Goodman Bakes. I also love hikes around Cayuga Lake, including Taughannock Falls and Robert Treman State.