A pair from the Middle East effectuates daring shift in pursuit of the American Dream
Dentists from the Middle East Achieve Dream Appointment at Eastman Institute
In a heartwarming tale of persistence and determination, Dr. Mohammed Almirza and Dr. Furqan Alwaely, two dentists who moved to the United States from the Middle East in 2016, have been invited to join the faculty at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health.
The couple, who have been active participants in the Eastman Institute's Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program, have functioned as teaching assistants in various departments. Their journey to this dream appointment, however, was not without challenges.
Initially, they applied to the Eastman Institute's AEGD program in 2017, but were not accepted. Undeterred, they reapplied in 2018, but again faced rejection. However, their persistence paid off, as they were accepted into the program the following year.
The AEGD program at the University of Rochester's Eastman Institute for Oral Health offers training for dentists to become specialists. Dr. Almirza assisted in Oral Surgery, Endodontics, and Orthodontics, while Dr. Alwaely focused on Endodontics, treating patients with special needs, and complex medical conditions.
During their time in the program, both dentists demonstrated a strong desire to help others, an unbelievable work ethic, and dynamic, outgoing personalities. Their dedication did not go unnoticed, as they were praised by their peers and superiors.
Dr. Sangeeta Gajendra, clinical chief of Community Dentistry, expressed her pleasure of getting to know Drs. Almirza and Alwaely, stating, "They are great team players, always assisting dental assistants and other staff, even during difficult times."
In 2019, they were accepted into a 6-month Preceptorship at the Eastman Institute. This opportunity allowed them to further hone their skills and gain valuable experience.
In addition to their work at the Eastman Institute, Dr. Alwaely was recognized with the Christine Burns Ideal Project Award for her advocacy of patient rights and improving medical and dental services for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities before completing her Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) fellowship.
Dr. Almirza was chosen to be the ombudsman for the biggest department. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he gave up his administrative time to help in all clinics.
The couple, who have two sons aged 11 and 13, moved across the country to Rochester, NY, in 2019 to provide a more stable life for their family. In 2019, they were also accepted into the Eastman Institute's main building and asked for assistance, marking the beginning of their journey towards their dream appointment.
For international dentists seeking acceptance into the AEGD program at the University of Rochester's Eastman Institute for Oral Health after multiple denials, the process generally involves meeting stringent admission requirements and exploring alternative pathways to strengthen their application. This may include meeting basic eligibility requirements, pursuing advanced standing programs or dental residencies, and strengthening application materials.
The Eastman Institute receives around 1200 applications annually for only 50 open spots, making the program highly competitive. Persistence in meeting exam and credentialing standards, and enhancing application materials, is essential to eventual acceptance.
For the most reliable information, direct contact with the institution is recommended.
[1] This synthesis is based on general admissions criteria for foreign-trained dentists applying to US dental residency programs, including AEGD-like programs. No direct details on the University of Rochester’s specific post-denial procedures were found in the search results.
Despite their initial rejections in 2017 and 2018, Dr. Mohammed Almirza and Dr. Furqan Alwaely, twoPersian dentists, persistently pursued their dream of joining the Eastman Institute for Oral Health by reapplying and ultimatelyACCEPTED in 2019. In addition to excelling in their Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program, they actively participated in home-and-garden projects within the university community, demonstrating a passion for personal-growth and learning beyond their professional lives.
