Windy City Weekend
by Shannon Galegher
Chicago: the city that brought America such renowned delicacies as deep-dish pizza, the Ferris wheel, and even Hugh Hefner’s original Playboy mansion. But unknown to me until recently, Chicago is also the home of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA), and its big brother, the American Dental Association. And so, in late October, over 800 bright-eyed dental students from all over the country descended upon the city for a weekend at the ASDA National Leadership Conference. Over 20 of those in attendance hailed from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. CO ASDA’s Madam President, Jillian Stacey, was proud of her robust herd, and we were honored to represent the school.
“Over 20 of those in attendance hailed from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine”
The conference began on a Friday morning in November with “The Buried Life” star Ben Nemtin, one of four friends on a quest to complete the ultimate bucket list, living life with “no ragrets.” After the keynote speaker, the rest of the weekend was filled with 45-minute break-out sessions and students had their pick of many topics. Each session fit into a category relevant to the development of young dentists and the field as a whole. They included career planning, cutting edge technology (think lasers and 3D printing!), leadership fundamentals, personal development and wellness, and advocacy (think dental insurance – oofda). [Definition: Oofda, also uffda. Midwestern exclamation meaning almost whatever you want it to, but most commonly ‘oh boy.’]
Some of the sessions expanded on subjects discussed in dental school, like fluoride. It’s used to fortify your water, decrease prevalence of cavities, and is supported by years of research. “Now that’s what I call high quality H2O.” Other sessions dove into ideas that are not predominantly discussed in dental school. We learn to be clinicians, not politicians or business owners, but a dentist can wear many hats. We may be versed in advocacy issues like insurance and licensure, as well as providing awareness and advising on additional products outside of the dental office. Discussing topics such as these are just the start of why myself and my peers trekked to Chicago to hear speakers share their “floss-ophies” on all things dentistry.
“Dental students have fun too”
Now, you might be thinking, ‘Surely you didn’t go all the way to Chicago just to sit in a conference hall for three days??’ And I would promise you that no, dental students have fun too. “And don’t call me Shirley”. My favorite evening adventure was the multilevel yacht that sailed many of the attendees, in their best Halloween costumes, around Chicago’s Navy Pier. With the number of attendees, I thought, “you’re going to need a bigger boat”. We wined, and dined, and danced until we docked having met even more students from all across the country.
The next day was filled with more sessions, my personal favorite being a student-led brainstorming session about fundraising ideas for our ASDA chapter. There may be a dental related spelling bee in our future with words such as xerostomia and sialodochoplasty. That evening we were costumed again, and one of our very own, second year Isabelle Rusden, won the costume contest as a very authentic looking Southwest flight attendant.
“Over the weekend we learned together, challenged one another, and continued to develop the skills it takes to be a dentist and a leader”
The weekend was both educational and entertaining. I was able to meet and collaborate with like-minded students from around the country and learn how their ASDA organizations and programs operate. I was inspired by the energy of the speakers, and the eagerness of my colleagues to absorb and implement our newfound knowledge. Over the weekend we learned together, challenged one another, and continued to develop the skills it takes to be a dentist and a leader. I would be pleased to “volunteer as tribute” to attend this conference again. Maybe I would even ride the Ferris “…Bueller…Bueller…” wheel.
For now, I would like to sincerely thank those who made it possible for our crew to attend the conference and provided me with the tools be the best dentist I can be. (And a special shout-out to our professor for allowing us to miss Friday class for the conference…thanks, Dr. “WIIIILLLSOOOON”!)
Did you recognize all of the movie quotes?
“No ragrets” – We’re the Millers (2013)
“Now that’s what I call high quality H2O” – Waterboy (1998)
“And don’t call me Shirley” – Airplane! (1980)
“You’re going to need a bigger boat” – Jaws (1975)
“Volunteer as tribute” – The Hunger Games (2012)
“…Bueller…Bueller…” – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986)
“WIIIILLLSOOOON” – Castaway (2000)
About the Author
Shannon Galegher is a second-year dental student at the University of Colorado and is the current Associate Fundraising Chair for Colorado ASDA. Originally from Thompson, North Dakota, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Health and Medical Sciences from Minnesota State University Moorhead. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies to memorize new quotes, playing basketball with her classmates, and spending time with family and friends.