AAWD at the University of California San Francisco
President: Lili Szabo, Class of 2017
AAWD at the University of California San Francisco had an exciting fall quarter! The chapter kicked off the quarter by attending the annual AAWD session in Washington, DC. President, Lili Szabo and Vice president, Brittany Vacura spent three days in Washington, DC. attending the AAWD student session, several CE courses and exploring the city. The board members had a great time networking with other students and AAWD members and getting to learn from other student chapters across the country.
Back in San Francisco the chapter hosted a lunch and learn for school of dentistry students. Dr. Gwen Essex, a UCSF School of Dentistry faculty member spoke at the lunch and learn about her experience being a woman in a predominantly male profession and the importance of advocating for each other. Dr. Essex shared a powerful message about collegiality and teamwork.
In October the chapter participated in an event in San Francisco that encourages middle school aged girls to pursue careers in science and math. Chapter board members lead a 70 min interactive session for attendees that taught them about what it is like to be a dentist, the role science plays in dentistry and how to pursue a career in dentistry. The girls got the opportunity to learn about tooth morphology and participate in a tooth identification game, as well as place a composite restoration in a plastic tooth. Attendees remarked that they enjoyed the session
and some of them even said that they were now interested in pursuing a career in dentistry. In December the chapter raised money by coordinating a white coat embroidery fundraiser. The chapter collected white coats and scrub tops from students and faculty to be embroidered with their names.
The chapter is planning some exciting events for the new year, including a valentines day party for members, a dinner and learn with current female faculty and an outreach event with SafeHouse San Francisco to provide the program’s residents with oral heath education. The UCSF chapter is looking forward to an active and rewarding
new year.