Â鶹ÊÓƵ

Dr. Zain Ahmed was selected among all U.S. Dental Public Health residents to receive a prestigious award from the American Association of Public Health Dentistry for his project. He also contributed to two published articles - a and a , and gave poster presentations at three different conferences - one of which received an honorable mention.

Q: Where are you from?
A: I am from India. My family lived in Oman, UAE and then we settled in Canada. 

Dr. Ahmed with his poster presentation at the National Oral Health Conference, which won an honorable mention.

Q: Why did you choose Eastman?
A: Because it's close to home and several of my friends are Eastman alums. 

Q: Best memory of your EIOH residency?
A: The times spent during Thursday lectures with Drs. Sangeeta Gajendra, Bedant Chakraborthy, Chintan Desai, Harold Nii-Aponsah, and my favorites Onur Nacakgedigi & Rubem Costa Araujo.

Q: In what way did your Eastman experience allow you to grow?
A: My program's core itself is about self-growth. Personally, Eastman made me increase my level of patience and understanding. Professionally, I have comparatively more understanding of community dentistry, school based dental programs, prospective studies and of course general practice dentistry.  

Q: Next steps after graduation? 
A: Find a community medical center or FQHC and practice community dentistry, while giving back to the society. 

(left to right) Dr. Rasubala, Dr. Ahmed, Dr. Kopycka-Kedzierawski, Dr. Gajendra, Dr. McLaren, and Dr. Eliav at the IADR conference Eastman dinner

Q: Your biggest fear? 
A: Not doing enough for the community. 

Q: The one thing you can’t live without?
A: Family

Q: A person who has inspired you? 
A: Dr. Evan B. Rosen (Prostho '13) A good friend and a life-long mentor. I am hoping to acquire at least a small percent of his perseverance and dedication towards academics and dentistry. 

Q: If you could change one thing about yourself?
A: If I change anything, then I wouldn’t be perfect anymore (JK). I am not sure, I think I am good as I am.

Q: Best advice you ever received?
A: Keep your head low and do your best; the rest will follow.  

Q: If you could have a superpower, what would it be? 
A: To read minds, to know what’s actually going on in there. Sometimes people are not wrong, it’s only their situations. 

Q: If you could eat only one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: It has to be Hyderabadi Biryani – a dish of rice and marinated meat that is slow cooked over wood or charcoal, made with authentic Hyderabadi spices.