Why do you want to be a dentist?
During my first year of college, I had an incredible opportunity to start volunteering at the Somali Health Board, a non-profit organization in Seattle that fights health disparities among immigrants. It was at their annual summer health fair where they were providing a day of free medical and dental services. It was here where I witnessed the pressing need for accessible dental care and education within my very own community.  Interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds and witnessing the impact of oral health on their overall well-being ignited a sense of purpose within me. Through my volunteering experience, I realized that dentistry provided a unique opportunity to combine my passion for oral health, my desire to make a positive impact, and my interest in science and technology. It became clear to me that by pursuing a career in dentistry, I could help address oral health disparities in underserved communities and for that I’m forever grateful.

What are you most excited about for dental school?
I'm most excited to keep on learning and use what I've learned in dental school to make a positive impact not only within my patients but within my very own community. I'm also very excited to connect with peers and faculty and keep building those meaningful lifelong relationships.

Why do you think you’ll make a good dentist?
I think I'll be a great dentist because I have a driven passion for the field and a desire to serve others. What I have always liked about myself is that I'm an individual who is always seeking out consistent knowledge, which is amazing because dentistry is an endless array of continuous learning.