From General Practice to Oral Surgery: Forging a Path at EIOH

When Dr. Joey Chammas chose EIOH’s General Practice Residency program, he was looking for broad clinical exposure and the opportunity to work alongside specialists across multiple disciplines. By the end of the year, the experience had not only expanded his clinical skills — it had also clarified the future direction of his career.

Chammas, who is from Beirut, Lebanon, said he was initially drawn to Eastman because of its extensive specialty and hospital rotations, as well as the collaborative culture among residents and faculty.

“Living in Rochester and working at Eastman has challenged me to adapt to a new environment and experience life in the United States for the first time,” he said. “I have been able to meet residents and instructors from all around the world, building meaningful connections and lasting friendships.”

Those relationships became an important part of the residency experience – learning together and supporting each other through the challenges.

Although Chammas had performed surgeries during dental school, his exposure to hospital-based dentistry and emergency treatment at Eastman introduced him to a completely different side of patient care. Working alongside Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery residents during on-call rotations and surgical cases ultimately sparked a deeper interest in the specialty.

“I fondly remember the first time I answered a night call for a dental emergency, the first time that I placed an implant, and the first time that I treated a patient in the operating room,” he said.

(l to r) GPR residents Drs. Seo Park, Marrero-Hernandez, Rashid, and Chammas

Those experiences proved transformative. Through surgical procedures, emergency cases, and treating medically complex patients, Chammas discovered his calling.

His residency also strengthened his confidence in patient management, treatment planning, and clinical decision-making while exposing him to procedures and cases he had never encountered before. Learning to coordinate dental treatment for medically compromised patients also broadened his understanding of comprehensive patient care and prepared him for more advanced surgical training.

After graduating from the GPR program, Chammas will continue his training through an internship in OMFS, with plans to ultimately complete an OMFS residency.

Outside the clinic, Chammas found ways to stay connected to longtime interests while adjusting to life in Rochester. A lifelong sports fan, he enjoys soccer, tennis, hockey, and supporting teams such as Real Madrid and the Montreal Canadiens. Music has also remained an important creative outlet.

“If I weren’t a dentist, I would probably be a pianist,” he said. “I discovered a passion for piano during my teenage years because it allowed me to appreciate music in a completely different way.”

Recently, he has started learning guitar and plans to return to piano once residency training slows down.

Chammas credits much of his success and resilience to his family back home in Lebanon.

Dr. Chammas is very close with his family, who are incredibly supportive of him.

“My family is my first and strongest support system,” he said. “Despite living many time zones away, my parents have always been unconditional supporters of my decisions, my path, and my personal and professional growth.”

“My brothers have also been an integral part of my journey,” he added, “Their positivity, support, and the countless memories we share bring me joy and make the challenges more manageable.”

As he prepares for the next stage of surgical training, Chammas is hopeful for what’s in store.

“Your residency is what you make of it,” he said. “Every program at Eastman offers opportunities to become a better clinician and contribute to the institution and community, so it’s important to maintain a hunger to learn and improve.”

That mindset, he said, reflects the best advice he has ever received: “No matter how bad things get, always show up. Showing up is half the battle.”

If you could have a superpower, what would it be?

Time travel – it would let me experience different eras firsthand and learn from both the past and the future. Being able to revisit pivotal moments in history would satisfy my curiosity and clarify many unanswered questions. It would also allow me to give my younger self some advice.

Fun facts about yourself?

I can name all the countries with their capitals and flags.

I rode the fastest roller coaster in the world.

My dog’s name is Bailey because he is the same color as Bailey’s liqueur.

Describe yourself in three words

Perseverant, curious, meticulous.