dr - University of Washington School of Dentistry

do research and perhaps teach.
It didn’t seem as if there’d be
enough time to do justice to
everything.
Dr. Hunter told her, “You can
reach any of these goals you set
for yourself in dentistry – you can
do research, you can teach.”
For years, Dr. Hunter has offered similar encouragement
to her staff. Dr. Winans, in fact, initially worked
for her as a dental hygienist. At Dr. Hunter’s urging,
she went on to dental school and ultimately joined the
practice.
“What I love about having a woman mentor is the
balance she’s been able to create in her life,” says Farahani.
“When I first told [Dr. LaBounty] I wanted to
32 DentalAlumninews summer / fall 2009
Maureen Craig quickly
established a comfortable
bond with Dr. Irene Hunter.
mentors mentors
Sheila Farahani admires her mentor’s balance between dentistry and family life.
be a dentist, she looked at me and asked, “Why would
you want to do that?’” It wasn’t meant to discourage
her, Farahani says; Dr. LaBounty wanted her to examine
her motivation closely. And she told Farahani,
who also had plans to raise a family, “You can arrange
your work schedule so you can pick up your children
from school.”
Farahani says, “Her inspiration means I don’t have
a moment of doubt as I go through school.”
Rewards for mentors
For the students, the rewards are clear. What’s in it for
the mentors?
“We get so much back in terms of enthusiasm and
seeing [students’] development,” says Dr. Reed.
“I just figure I have something to offer,” says Dr. Voget.
“I can give something back to the profession.”
Dr. Wenker says he gets a boost from White’s shadowing
visits — “It’s an infusion of new energy.”
Says Dr. Hunter: “To watch Maureen step into
something and love it as much as I do – that’s rewarding.
And it’s rewarding to see people fulfill their dreams
and do well.”
As do several other mentors, Dr. Hunter relishes the
idea that her student could eventually practice alongside
her and Dr. Winans. “We really, really like her – we want
her to come join our practice,” Dr. Hunter says.
But recruiting isn’t the point of mentoring, says Dr.
Reed: “It’s not for what I can get in terms of someone
coming to my practice, but what it can do for our
profession.”
In the meantime, it’s hard to overestimate the lift the
students can get from the relationship. “It’s good to see
there’s light at the end of the tunnel,” says Shvartsur.
For White, a break in the school year means an eagerly
awaited visit to Dr. Wenker’s office.
“Going there recharges my desire to finish dental
school,” he says. “We’ll sit down and shoot the breeze,
and I’ll remember, ‘This is why I’m doing this.’”
2009 Mentor reception
this year’s Wsda/dental alumni mentor reception will be on friday,
Nov. 13, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the i Court rotunda, i-131 in
the uW Health sciences Center, 1959 Ne Pacific ave., seattle.
for details, contact randy Newquist at the school of dentistry
(randyn@u.washington.edu, 206-616-0716).