by Min-Chen (Audrey) Hsieh
On Saturday, November 16, 2024, the American College of Dentists (ACD) and the Student Professionalism & Ethics Association (SPEA) hosted the 4th Annual Mentorship Mixer, a flagship event of their annual mentorship program. Since its inception in 2021, this program has aimed to foster meaningful connections between dental students and seasoned professionals, empowering the next generation of leaders in dentistry.
A Record-Breaking Year
This year’s mentorship program welcomed an impressive 100+ dentists and dental students from UCSF, the University of the Pacific, and California Northstate University. The mixer, a cornerstone of the program, brought together 30 dentists and 60 dental students for an afternoon of networking, inspiration, and professional growth.
A Stellar Line-Up of Events
The event commenced with lunch and mentor networking, creating a welcoming environment for participants to connect informally before diving into structured activities. Attendees were greeted with a special welcome video from Dr. Brett Kessler, President of
the ADA, who shared words of encouragement and empowerment for the future of dentistry. Dr. Lajuan Hall, DDS, Section Chair of NorCal ACD, skillfully hosted the event, setting the stage for a keynote address by Dr. Diana Nguyen, DDS, Chief of Clinical General Dentistry at UCSF. Dr. Nguyen’s inspiring talk highlighted her personal journey in dentistry, offering insights into the challenges and triumphs that shaped her career.
Speed Networking: Forging Connections
The highlight of the mixer was the eight rounds of Speed Networking, where dental students had the unique opportunity to engage one-on-one with experienced mentors. Participants included professionals from various specialties, academia, and practice ownership, enabling rich, meaningful discussions tailored to the interests of both mentees and mentors.
A Pathway to Leadership
The ACD x SPEA Mentorship Program underscores the importance of guiding dental students as they transition into leaders in the profession. By matching mentors and mentees based on shared interests and goals, the program facilitates a year-long journey of learning, collaboration, and mutual growth.
The 4th Annual ACD x SPEA Mentorship Mixer was a resounding success, further solidifying the program’s mission to empower the future of dentistry through mentorship. We look forward to seeing the connections and collaborations from this year’s event flourish in the months and years to come!
This successful event was made possible through the hard work and leadership of Dr. Lajuan Hall, FACD, Dr. Deshpande, FACD, Dr. Diana Nguyen, DDS, Dr. Ted Wong, DDS, the UCSF Dental Alumni Association, and the dedicated teams at SPEA at UCSFand SPEA at UOP and the generous support of Bank of America. Their collective efforts and commitment
to fostering mentorship and professional growth were instrumental in bringing this impactful event to life.
