Career Path of an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon at University of Nebraska Medical Center

I completed my undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University in Utah, majoring in Physiology and Developmental Biology. My studies involved many science classes, and I explored various medical professions.

There was a specific class where professionals from different fields would come in to discuss their daily work. This experience opened my eyes to different career paths. One of the guest speakers was an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

This led me to consider dental school to pursue that specialty. However, I wasn't entirely certain at that point. I was also involved in research with a physiology professor. After earning my bachelor's degree, I stayed to complete a master's there as well.

I considered pursuing research and a PhD instead. Ultimately, I wanted a more clinical role involving direct patient interaction rather than just lab work. I then applied to and attended dental school.

To gain admission to dental school, you must shadow dentists and dental specialties. Oral and maxillofacial surgery is technically a dental specialty, though it involves more than just tooth extraction. It focuses on surgeries of the face and jaws.

During my shadowing experiences, I found myself more drawn to oral surgery than general dentistry. This solidified my interest in that field, though I still enjoyed aspects of dentistry. To get into oral surgery residency after dental school, you generally need to be at the top of your class.

Residencies evaluate candidates based on class rank and academic performance. Therefore, doing well in all classes is crucial. In dental school, you also need to build your resume to demonstrate interest beyond grades.

I conducted research on lung and skin cancer cells. Then, to be considered for residency, you complete externships. These involve spending a week or two at different residency programs to experience the life of a resident.

I completed externships at the University of Louisville, UCSF in Fresno, California, Oakland, California, and Arizona. These experiences not only reinforced my desire to pursue oral surgery but also strengthened my curriculum vitae for residency applications.

Eventually, you receive interview invitations from residencies. You then rank the programs you interviewed with, and a computer system matches your rankings with the programs' rankings. If there's a match, you get accepted.

I was accepted into the University of Nebraska Medical Center residency program, where I am currently training.