A N D
N O W
F O R
ADSA
OINOTNA
NAS
something new
alamolar 2020
CONTENTS IN AND AROUND SATX CENTRAL TEXAS'S BEST HIKES COVID-19 AND DENTISTRY: WHAT'S NEXT? THE BEST OF SATX
STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS NEWEST CLUB ON CAMPUS: INTERVIEW WITH ISAAC BUNKER RESEARCH CORNER DYLAN'S BLACK AND BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE TIPS FOR LONG DISTANCE MENTAL FLOSS FROM A DS4 FROM RUNWAYS TO CLINICAL ROTATIONS: MY OTHER LIFE AS A MODEL
BEST OF ASDA ART OF WELLNESS: AN INTERVIEW WITH STEPHANIE TRAN KEEPING UP WITH THE ALAMOLARS
STAFF:
KEYA PATEL class of '22, newsletter coordinator elect CHAD CARR class of '23 DIANA LE class of '23
LETTER FROM THE EDITORS
REFLECTIONS ON A CRAZY YEAR
At the start of the year, Aaron and I settled on the theme "something new" for this year's issue of the Alamolar. As I entered the grueling challenge of DS2 and Aaron geared up for his first year in clinic as a DS3, we both felt that this theme captured the feeling of being at a crossroads that often strikes us as dental students. Neither of us could have ever anticipated just how many "new" challenges 2019 and 2020 would bring! The start of the new decade has been rocky to say the least as our community, both local and global, face unprecedented challenges. Even as we grapple with the microcosm of dental school exams and practicals, the country has struggles with a devastating pandemic that has upended our lives and a reckoning with lingering racism. To be sure, it has been a wild ride. Luckily, throughout it all, we have had our dental school community to keep us grounded. In these pages, you will find the thoughts, advice, and even recipes from the best that San Antonio ASDA has to offer. We hope that you will learn something new from them, whether it's about your classmates, dental school, or San Antonio at large. Here's to another exciting year at the best dental school and the best ASDA chapter in the country! Sincerely,
Usha Malireddy Class of 2022, Newsletter Coordinator Aaron Ramon Class of 2021, Newsletter Chair
CENTRAL TEXAS'S
best hikes CHRISTINA ADAME Class of 2022
Hiking in Texas? If so, here are some pretty impressive places to check out if you’re looking for some scenic views, a romantic getaway during sunset hours, or just to get a scent of relaxing Texas fresh air.
1
EISENHOWER PARK Starting in San Antonio, Texas, if you have a knack for hiking or merely want to get a panoramic view of the hills of the city, Eisenhower Park is the place to go. Just past 1604 off NW Military Hwy, Eisenhower Parkoffers multiple trails with different difficulty levels. If you’re a newcomer to hiking, this is a greatplace to start. The park is also pet and familyfriendly by offering picnic tables for you and your family to hang out and grab a quick snack during your hike. During the hike, I am reminded of the time I spent out on our family ranch during the Spring and Summer days. You’re surrounded by thick native brush and rocks, but the views you catch at the top of the trails are nothing short of breathtaking!
MISSION TRAILS 2
If you or your family/friends are looking to enjoy a nice scenic bike ride or hike with a history lesson, be sure to check out The Mission Trails in San Antonio. The Mission Trails, which is also a World Heritage Site, not only covers miles of land area but also uncovers the beautiful history of San Antonio. The trails take you back in time prior to The Alamo and uncover the history of the different Mission Churches and historical landmarks that are greatly valued today. This hidden gem is over 15 miles long, so make sure to pack sunscreen, a bottled-water and some biking gloves to handle the terrain. Biking along the trail, you’ll have a chance to stop at each Mission and dive into the history behind its construction and a glimpse of how people in the community lived and survived.
san jose mission
FREDERICKSBURG, TX 3
If you’re looking for a hiking challenge yet enjoy the finer things in life such as wine tasting or the atmosphere of a quaint small town, Fredericksburg, Texas is right around the corner. Fredericksburg is a neutral location nestled between some impressive hiking spots in Texas. Enchanted Rock is just about 30 minutes north from Fredericksburg and is a wonderful place to hike if you’re looking to climb up a huge rock! The main trail of the park is called The Summit. The trail takes you to the very top of Enchanted Rock. If you’re not too out of breath after reaching the top and you’re feeling adventurous, you and your friends could take some cool pictures jumping at the highest peak! You’ll also have the opportunity to take in the beautiful panoramic views from the rock while at the same time enjoy a well-deserved PB&J sandwich.
enchanted rock
COLORADO BEND STATE PARK 4
About another hour north from Enchanted Rock is Colorado Bend State Park. It is situated on the banks of the river from which it obtained its namesake, the Colorado River. Although, be aware that you’ll have no cell service so make sure to bring a compass just in case! Just kidding, no need for that, but be sure to bring a buddy with you if you have plans to camp overnight. This park not only offers multiple hiking trails, but you’ll also have the opportunity to explore caves, fly-fishing on the river, and embark on the challenging hike to the notorious 70 ft Gorman Falls (pictured on the right).
`Hiking in Texas offers some unique places that are a blend of Texas soil and scenic views of different wildlife and natural terrains found across the country. You’ll find some hidden gems in this beloved State. Even though this is only a short preview of some of the treasures you’ll find in Texas, be sure to check out https://www.theoutbound.com/ theoutbound/25-must-do-hikes-in-texas for some more options!
Enjoy those Texas hikes!
covid-19 and dentistry: WHERE TO GO NEXT? KEYA PATEL Class of 2022
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in March, the world has been in endless turmoil; millions of people are unemployed, schools are closed, and the economy is suffering. Many people have been quarantined in their homes for weeks, while essential workers have been working in the face of danger without sufficient PPE. The concept of “social distancing� has become the new normal. The virus has shaken the entire world, but especially the field of dentistry. Dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants have been ranked as professions most likely to come into contact with COVID-19 due to the nature of the occupation. Social distancing in a dental office is realistically impossible and licensed dentists have had to close their office doors, opening only for dental emergencies. With many dentists out of work, this has been an economic burden. Regulations regarding reopening dental offices have been constantly changing; patients who are undergoing elective procedures have been waiting for months to get their final treatments. Since the first week of May, dentists in Texas have been able to open their practices once again, yet the majority of dental professionals are being cautious.
In order to comply with social distancing and prevent the spread of the virus, dental schools across the nation have also shut down. Specifically, at UTHSCSA, lectures are given online, students taking exams are monitored through laptop cameras, and simulation labs are closed. Everyone knows dentistry is all about practice, but the shutdown of sim labs has been a challenge for students’ hand skills, especially for second-year dental students. The period between 2nd and 3rd year is a pivotal time to gain clinical skills before students start seeing real patients; the emergence of COVID-19 has virtually eradicated this much-needed practice. More importantly, clinic requirements, licensing exams, WREB, and graduation ceremonies for fourth-year dental students have also been unpredictable. Will graduating students be able to earn a license, and how will it affect their ability to find a job? With no end in sight, it is hard to say when COVID-19 will cease to be an imminent threat to society. Dentistry has been hit hard in the past few months with constant uncertainty, fluctuating regulations, threats to health, and economic hardship. As the world slowly recovers from the after-effects of this pandemic, hopefully, the field of dentistry will heal too.
COVID-19 AND DENTAL SCHOOL How Our Education is Changing in Response Increased PPE requirements: Students working in aerosol-generating procedures are now required to wear N95 respirators, regular masks, and face shields. Clinic at half capacity: In order to enhance social distancing, the clinic is currently running at half capacity. Students are assisting each other during this period. All didactic classes moving online: All didactic classes are now being conducted via Canvas or Microsoft Teams Exams being conducted in multiple lecture halls: As many as three lecture halls are being utilized in order to administer exams in a secure environment with social distance Sim Labs closed after hours: In a difficult blow to DS1s and DS2s, Sim Lab access has been temporarily limited by the University. It is hopeful these restrictions will lift soon and that electric hand pieces will help students practice hand skills outside of school. Virtual study groups: Students are finding creative ways to continue to study in groups while maintaining a safe distance from one another
f o t s e b the
SATX ACCORDING TO ASDA SONIA CHONG Class of 2022
Dental school can certainly be overwhelming and very time consuming. It can be easy to spend most of our time in Sim Lab, Briscoe, or even at home studying. However, if you’re looking for something to do in San Antonio during your well-deserved breaks, on the weekends, or when your family comes to visit, look no further! Here are some places to visit that were recommended by some of our very own future dentists.
DRINKS
George’s Keep ($$) is a bar located on terrace level of the Eilan, with a speakeasy type of vibe. It is known for its variety of craft cocktails and draft beer. Connor Marshall, Class of 2020, recommends it for their “cool atmosphere with unique cocktails and good Sunday happy hour." This place has weekly events such as open mic night, live music, and champagne and tequila specials with an all-day happy hour on Sundays and Mondays. High Street Wine Company ($$) is a wine bar located at the Pearl with a menu of by-the-glass options and small bites. They offer a wide selection of wines and beer. Pablo Medina, Class of 2022, recommends this place for its “casual atmosphere for good studying and good wine selection.” Paramour Bar ($$$) is a rooftop bar located in downtown San Antonio overlooking the Riverwalk and the museum district. They offer a varied selection of cocktails, wine, and beer with weekly events such as their Sunday Drag Brunch. Laura Aguilar, Class of 2020, recommends this bar for its “rooftop setting.”
DINING
Palenque Grill ($$) is a Mexican restaurant located at La Cantera Mall, and Melissa Cano, Class of 2022, says it is the perfect place to visit “if you are looking for good authentic Mexican food.” She recommends their elote asado botanero as an appetizer. La Fogata ($$) is another Mexican restaurant favorite in San Antonio. It is a festive eatery with a large patio dining area. Kylie Barroso, Class of 2022, said she loves “their margaritas and enchiladas verdes, but their margaritas are the important part.” This place is certainly known for their 16-ounce made-to-order margaritas that are topped off with an edible orchid. La Gloria ($$) at the Pearl, also known for their Mexican food, has the perfect outdoor seating with scenic views of the Riverwalk. They have a great selection of Mexican dishes and an exciting drink menu. Miguel Estrada, Class of 2023, recommends this place for “their mini tacos and their live music.” Artea ($$) is a spot for all things tea, ranging from loose-leaf to bubble tea. They also have an extensive menu with small bites, including items such as Japanese udon and Taiwanese popcorn chicken. Amy Ng, Class of 2023, recommends their egg custard boba milk tea and says, “everything is good.”
photo: Sonia Chong
OTHER ATTRACTIONS Loma de Vida Spa ($$$) is a luxurious spa located at La Cantera Resort with incredible views of the Hill Country. They offer services such as massages, body treatments, facials, and a hair & nail salon. After or before your treatments, you are allowed to spend the day in their facilities enjoying their fitness center, pool, and sauna. Joi Walls, Class of 2022, says “it is amazing after a long week of class and the staff is so nice.” She recommends the Shea butter wrap and taking advantage of the indoor vitality pool and outdoor infinity pool. Table Top Generals ($) is a gaming tavern that serves wine and beer while offering a large selection of tabletop games to check out and play. Ross Grounds, Class of 2022, recommends them for their “good board game selection and for their alcoholic beverages.” Their set up is perfect for a fun game night with friends. The Pearl Farmers Market ($$) is located in the Pearl Brewery and takes place on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm. The outdoor market hosts local produce, cheese, meat producers, live music, and cooking demos. Ashton Muniz, Class of 2022, says she enjoys “the good food and crepe stands and supporting local businesses.”
MENTAL FLOSS FROM A DS4
ADVICE ON TRANSITIONING TO CLINIC AARON RAMON Class of 2021
Transitioning from second year to the clinic can be a particularly daunting rite of passage for most students. There seems to be a great variety of stress levels among newly-minted DS3s and rightly so; we all have had different experiences in the first half of these taxing four years and varying levels of preparedness for what lies ahead. Regardless of how you are feeling as you approach treatment on living patients, the following tips are meant to make the transition a little smoother for you: 1) Get to clinic early. If you’re not a morning person, become one. Showing up to clinic early givesyou ample time to do everything that you need to do to get ready for the day. You’ll have plenty of time for wrapping your operatory bay, checking out the supplies you need, and opening Axium and/or troubleshooting its frequent difficulties. 2) Don’t be afraid to ask your DS4 colleagues for help. We’ve stood where you stood. We’ve been lost just like you. Not knowing how to complete codes, send a referral or write a lab authorization is something we’d be happy to help you with. We’re all in this together and all you need to do is ask. 3) Get to know your faculty. We’ve been blessed as a dental school to have some of the best dentists and specialists in the nation as our educators. They have a lot to share and it’s in our best interests to absorb everything we can from them. Every now and then you may even receive a little nugget about something non-dental related, so soak it all in while you can. 4) Your PCC is your friend. As you will soon find out, your patient care coordinator is an essential addition to your team, and it would benefit you to develop a good relationship with them. The students with the most success in clinic often have great communication with their PCC and
always keep them updated with how they’re doing and what they and their patients need. 5) Learn from your bad days. You’re going to have them. No one is perfect and you are in dental school to learn and make mistakes in a controlled environment. If you screw up, own it. Take some time in the evening when you’re in a sound state of mind to reflect on what went wrong and how you can improve for the next time.
6) Stay late. You don’t need to be the last person to leave, but before you fly out of clinic early you should walk around and see if the other students working could use your help. Someone may need more materials, a faculty member, or simply another set of hands to help out. Your colleagues will be appreciative, your faculty will be proud, and overall morale will be boosted knowing that everyone’s working as a team. In closing, please recognize that the transition to clinic will be stressful no matter what, but these tips may help get you started on the right path. You are not alone. Remember that every other DS3 is facing the same clinical challenges you are, and you can not only call upon the senior class for help, but your peers as well. As I’ve said we’re all in this together. Good luck! -Aaron
from runways to clinical rotations MY
OTHER
LIFE
AS
A
EUGENIA OSBON Class of 2023
MODEL
Coming from a poor Eastern European nation, as a little girl, I would have never imagined that one day I’d be walking the runway in front of Pamela Anderson and Matthew McConaughey, standing on stage next to Ne-Yo, talking to Elton John and Keanu Reeves, or being invited to a party by my childhood crush Gerard Butler. I remember myself as a shy teenager who was very likely to chose the company of a good book over a big social gathering. As an adult, I found myself in a loud and cosmopolitan America, the country that presented me with the opportunities I never thought I’d have. It was here that I realized that if I studied, worked hard and made sacrifices, I could achieve my dream in dentistry. When we are focused on what is important to us, time passes us by without us realizing it. I had never thought of myself as beautiful, but here in America, it seemed I was. The idea of modeling seemed to come out of nowhere. Now, people were telling me how tall and gorgeous I was and that I should model. Overnight, I was being offered money to wear designer clothing for a runway show, take pictures, stand next to a car, hold an umbrella over a competitive motorcycle rider, or even just to come to an exclusive special event and talk to people. I started modeling in Austin and in retrospect, it was the best place I could have hoped for. Austin has a small community that is very supportive of the fashion industry and local art. It was very common to see the same designers, models and photographers
at various events. Making these connections, I was able to book myself by word of mouth. I worked around my undergrad studies and during school breaks, the whole time managing to keep up with a rigorous microbiology major curriculum, research work, dental shadowing, and volunteering. Modeling and managing my bookings meant I had to communicate with more and more people, which helped me overcome my introverted nature and gave me more confidence. It also provided me with unforgettable memories and experiences. I was able to travel around the world, star in music videos that ranged from Texas country legend Kevin Fowler to Indian pop star Arnie B. I enjoyed shooting commercials, receiving complete style makeovers at the hair shows, working with amazing photographers and having my images printed in magazines and fashion catalogs. My happy-go-lucky attitude toward modeling served me well in making and keeping friends in the industry and building my future potential dental patient base in Austin. After all, it wasn’t my goal to climb the modeling ranks, but to become a well rounded person, a better version of myself that has more to give. In fact, my favorite part of modeling was and still is the opportunity to give back. As one of my designer friends likes to say, quoting the late Dr. King: “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.” Helping others is a big part of the fashion industry. I had the opportunity to volunteer my time for many fundraisers, like “Cheers for Children”, “Hurricane Harvey relief
Fashion Show”, “Mack Jack and McConaughey fashion luncheons” and many others. Many times during these events, we would walk with children or people who were models “just for that day”. It felt so special to teach them how to walk and see them smile and shine on the catwalk. As with most things that seem too good to be true, modeling is not as glamorous as most would think. It often involves many hours standing up or walking in uncomfortable shoes, wearing clothing not adequate for the weather, and speaking to people you’d rather not talk to. There are lots of rehearsals and hours of hair and makeup, sometimes done with ridiculous colors, glue, and art supplies instead of skin-friendly products. Very often, you must follow blindly someone else’s artistic vision wearing something you’d never wear or donning a ridiculous haircut in front of hundreds of people.
"AFTER ALL, IT WASN’T MY GOAL TO CLIMB THE MODELING RANKS, BUT TO BECOME A WELL ROUNDED PERSON, A BETTER VERSION OF MYSELF THAT HAS MORE TO GIVE."
In dental school, modeling continues to be an artistic outlet and a break from the doldrums and stress of school work. Although it is clear that my modeling career has to take a backseat and become more of a hobby or a quick paycheck, it is still an escape I look forward to once in a while. Not having the availability to work outside of a few weekends (if that), I mostly only do it for designer friends or the events that I want to attend like The Rolling Stones concert in Austin where I will be hosting the VIP area backstage. Modeling has taught me that time and time again that it is the relationships we make in life that turn out to be the most important for success. I am as thankful for this lesson as I am for the opportunity I will have as a dentist to hopefully show young women with my own example that they do not have to chose between becoming a model and becoming a doctor.
the newest club on campus PRATYUSHA MALIREDDY Class of 2022
A chat with Isaac Bunker (class of 2022), the founder of Future Practice Owners Interest Group, a club dedicated to empowering and educating dental students interested in going into private practice ownership. What
inspired
you
to
start
this
In my opinion, the most important thing
organization?
that you can do while starting up is get
During undergrad, the advice I received
the
from all my dental mentors was to major
organization has had awesome people in
(or at least take some classes) in business!
leadership positions, and it has made a
So coming into school, I knew that the
huge difference.
business
education
offered
would
right
people
on
board.
Our
be
limited. I wanted an environment where
What
students who were interested in learning
accomplishments from your first year?
the business side of dentistry could come
I am really proud of our team. They have
together and learn from people already in
stepped up to the plate many times in
the field and from each other.
order to create our curriculum and bring
are
your
proudest
in great speakers. Forming relationships What is the process like for starting a
with such quality dental thought-leaders
new club?
has been a huge boost to the success we
The process of starting a new club is
have had as a new student organization.
relatively easy. The Office of Student Life does a good job of walking you through
What are your goals for this organization
the process. You need to have a good
in the years to come?
vision of what the club will be and how it will function. Then, you will write up a student
organization
constitution
bylaws and submit final paperwork.
and
Next, think big.
based on what others think they should
A few goals we have for the next year: This last year, we have had amazing people from the dental community come and speak like Derek Williams (The Lifestyle Practice), Scott Leune (Breakaway Practice Seminars), and Bruce
Baird
(Productive
Don't limit your goals
Dentist
be. You can have it all. Finally, don’t be afraid to share your goals and things you are working on with other people. You will be surprised who wants to contribute, knows someone, or can help out in some way.
Academy). I hope to continue to get high quality speakers to come in. We will continue to have study club lunches and we will be focusing more on
hard
business
skills
moving
forward. We are starting to look for some dental business sponsors, and we will begin
reaching
marketing
and
out
to
different
practice
analytic
companies to come speak. We are also looking for dental CE programs to partner with, and we will begin offering our members discounts on various CE courses. What lessons have starting a club taught you that you will take with you moving forward? Having the right people on your team will determine
your
success
anything you do on your own.
more
than
extra credit Isaac shares his top picks on sources to learn more about chasing a successful and fulfilling career. For Dentistry: Shared Practices Podcast – gives a broad range of ownership topics NDP Transition Talk Podcast - everything you would want to know about the process of buying an existing practice The White Coat Investor Podcast – everything you would want to know about investing as a high-income professional For Life: Rich Dad Poor Dad (Robert T. Kiyosaki) – This book is all about mindset- it will totally change the way you view wealth. 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen R. Covey)– this is a book I would suggest buying . It is one that you would want to re-read multiple times.
RESEARCH CORNER Featuring Sumant Agarwal and Jessica de la Fuente
KEYA PATEL Class of 2022 As a stepping stone to advances in healthcare, research is a pivotal component at UT Health San Antonio. Offered as a summer selective, many students have gained exposure to the research world with various mentors and a myriad of projects to choose from. Sumant Agarwal and Jessica de la Fuente are two such students who focused on dental research in academia and the public health sector.
greater clarity and efficiency.” Sumant
sumant agarwal
began working on this project at the end
Under the guidance of Dr. Peter
of his DS1 year going into the summer. “As
Loomer, Sumant helped investigate a new
somebody
educational tool to help students learn
formal research before, I was expecting a
probing techniques. Sumant states, “we
lot of data collection, [but] it became clear
would like to help standardize probing
that it takes time to get to the data
techniques to provide a more consistent
collection part of any project.”
who
had
never
conducted
periodontitis diagnosis. By utilizing virtual reality, haptic feedback, and vibration
When asked about how incorporating
feedback to develop The Haptodont, it
research into his schedule enriched his
[can] serve as a tool students will use
dental
prior to performing probing tasks in
research project has inspired me to
clinic!”
investigate the other industries associated
education,
Sumant
said,
“this
with dentistry. In class, it is easy to Dr. Loomer’s research team believes that
The
Haptodont,
“will
allow
for
greater visualization,
develop tunnel-vision and think dentistry only exists in the clinical realm; however, there is so much more.
tactile-feel,
and
hand
positioning to prepare students for the clinic”, while also “allowing professors to correct students virtually leading to
Despite having a larger population, the This
specific
education
project
and
resides
in
the
product-development
lower economic level zip code has fewer resources
for
its
community.
Jessica
sectors of dentistry,” he adds, “although
states, “public health plays a major role in
education is not necessarily where I see
preventing disease and promoting health
myself after graduation, this research has
within our communities”, with hopesthat
demonstrated to me how important it is
the results of their research may influence
to continue to examine and analyze how
new policy development and lead to the
we learn and how best we learn.”
reduction of health disparities in the future. Professor de la Torre has “abundant
jessica de la fuente
experience in the public health field”,
With Professor Magda A. de la Torre, Jessica
conducted
comparative
health
determine
her introduced me to a side of dental academia I was not aware of! Many of our
availability of dental products and access
faculty are conducting groundbreaking
to care in different zip codes throughout
research that will improve the quality of
San Antonio. The study sought to reveal if
care for our patients. I am now more
poverty, income levels, and educational
aware of the process behind clinical
levels
recommendations
each
to
oral
the
within
study
an
Jessica adds, “conducting research under
zip
code
have
a
of
certain
dental
significant impact on the types of dental
products and the trials necessary to
products sold and the amount of shelf
approve
space given to these products at certain
gaining
grocery stores, specifically H-E-B.
demographic data for my research, I can
Throughout the summer, Jessica visited a myriad of H-E-B stores in different zip codes of San Antonio. Her surveillance and
data
collection
indicated
a
vast
difference in dental product availability between the highest and lowest socioeconomic regions.
jessica de la fuente, class of 2022
a
product. experience
Furthermore, in
by
collecting
hopefully conduct similar public health projects in the future.”
dylan's black and blueberry cheesecake your new favorite recipe!
A whisper goes around- "Dylan brought cheesecake!" Before you know it, students are swarming baking extraordinaire Dylan Dinn, hoping for a bite of her famous cheesecake. Her reputation is well-earned! She has wowed the class of 2022 (not to mention, faculty!) with everything from cake to her signature snickerdoodles. Here, Dylan graces us with a recipe for seasonal black and blue cheesecake.
photo: Lily Mora
Ingredients: 3 8-oz bars of cream cheese, softened 4 eggs 1 ¾ cups of sugar, separated 1 pint of sour cream 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, separated Vanilla wafers, crumbled Blue food coloring, optional 1 pint of blueberries 6 oz blackberries 1/8 teaspoon almond extract 1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Sprinkle thin layer of crumbled vanilla wafers onto bottom of well-greased spring pan. 3. Mix cream cheese and ¾ cups of sugar together. Add eggs one at a time and beat well. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. 4. Pour mixture onto layer of vanilla wafers in pan.
5. Bake for 30 minutes and remove from oven. 6. Mix together sour cream, ¾ cup of sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add 3 drops of blue food coloring (optional) and blend well. Gently add to top of cake and return to oven at 300 degrees for 25 minutes. 7. Cool cheesecake on wire rack to room temperature, and then chill in fridge overnight. 8. Heat berries with ¼ cup of sugar. Gently mash a few of the berries and add small amount of water if desired. Bring to a gentle boil and then reduce heat, simmer for 5 minutes or until desired thickness reached. Add almond extract for extra flavor. 9. Chill and spoon over cheesecake and serve.
TIPS FOR LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS The Little Things Count
Christian: Make the effort to do what you can to show your partner that they matter to you. For Sarah and me, our schedules keep us busy. While we may not be able to visit each other very often, we will still do things that reinforce our commitment to each other. We write letters and add inside jokes. We’ll call each other when we are driving on our commutes. You don’t need to make grand gestures to maintain the relationship; it comes down to both people making a consistent effort for one another. Sarah: What works for some people may not work for others. Have fun trying out different things and be consistent with what you like the best.
Expectations Christian: Your partner can’t read your mind and vice versa, so you should talk to each other so there’s no ambiguity. There needs to be understanding and flexibility to maintain a healthy relationship. Sarah: Be honest about your workload and time commitments. Sometimes you may not be able to have your usual daily phone call, but that is completely normal considering the responsibility of being in professional school. I couldn’t agree more with Christian. Flexibility is important.
long distance in dental school SARAH TREVINO Class of 2022
My boyfriend Christian and I met when we were in sixth grade. We grew up together and began dating in high school. Later, we both attended Texas A&M in College Station along side each other. Eight years later though, we find ourselves entering a new chapter of our lives together- a long-distance relationship. With myself in dental school in San Antonio and Christian in medical school in El Paso, we realized we had to adapt to big changes, balancing our busy schedules and the miles between us. Although a little nervous about the change, we have learned that love can overcome any distance. Our relationship is stronger than ever. I am so blessed to be in love with my best friend. We wanted to share what helps us make the distance a little easier. We hope this helps you too. Sincerely, Sarah
Remember to Share Your Life with Them! Christian: Find something you can
share together. Sarah and I watch the same show and then talk about it on the phone! Sarah: Although it is easy to only give a highlight reel of your life, don’t hold back on telling them the challenges you face too. Professional school is demanding, and knowing that Christian is there to support me takes a weight off my shoulders.
THE ART OF
Wellness A CONVERSATION ABOUT ASDA WELLNESS INITIATIVES WITH ASDA WELLNESS CHAIR, STEPHANIE TRAN
KEYA PATEL Class of 2022
This year, ASDA’s Wellness Committee took fitness to a whole new level! Led by Stephanie Tran (Class of '22, Wellness Chair), ASDA has hosted many workout classes and events including body pump, yoga, barre, and my personal favorite, basketball tournament Arch Madness. These events have helped many students beat the stress of dental school and maintain their mental and physical health. Stephanie’s fitness journey started in 2015 and has grown exponentially throughout the years. “I started going to the gym, and [as] the weight began to shed off, I gained more self-confidence and fitness [became] one of my top priorities!” When asked about how she got involved in the Wellness Committee, Stephanie said, “I served as the DS1 representative, so I got to see what all the officers did behind the scenes [and] decided I’d fit best in Wellness. I remember inviting my classmates to a Gold’s Zumba class as a DS1 and over 10 people came. I knew that as the Wellness Coordinator, I could do the same but reach more people.”
asda body combat event
Although integrating technology into her wellness initiatives has helped get the word out, Stephanie expresses, “I post reminders about my events on the ASDA Facebook page and Instagram story [which] helps gauge interest, however, I’ve found that the best way to have a good turnout is to personally invite people in person or by text!”
As the year comes to an end, Stephanie reflects on her time as the Wellness Coordinator: “I have loved it! It’s been great to bring alive the Wellness sector of our ASDA chapter. It’s fun to meet dental students from other classes outside of the academic setting. I love organizing small events and get on a high when 20 people show up.” Stephanie adds, “My favorite event of the year was Arch Madness because it was exciting to watch my peers competitively play basketball, and made me feel warm inside to see other classmates take their Saturday morning off to cheer their friends.” To keep the fitness momentum going, Stephanie has certain goals for the next year: “Dental Olympics will be hosted by San Antonio next year, so my goals are to make it the best Dental Olympics in history and do everything in my power to make sure it doesn’t get canceled! I also want to host a cooking class and a spa/relaxation event.”
"I want to retire because I can, not because my body has given up on me."
As we all know, dentistry is physically demanding. As students, we already feel the strain on our bodies which is why it is important to stay fit. Stephanie says, “I want to retire because I can, not because my body has given up on me.” Stephanie strives to maintain the energy needed to stay on top of her goals and bring positivity into others’ lives; she has infused fitness into ASDA like no one before. We should all follow her footsteps and take care of our bodies... because we only have one!
keeping up with the alamolars A Year in ASDA Photo credit: Liliana Mora, Class of 2022, ASDA Social Media Coordinator Spread by Pratyusha Malireddy, Class of 2022
white coat ceremony rustic happy hour
ASDA officer retreat rustic happy hour
intramural volleyball rustic happy hour
whitening lightning intramural volleyball team
Kalm Down with Kara Yoga Event
spikefest charity tournament
vendor fair 2020
mock interview day