I’ve been fueled by two passions in my life: baseball and dentistry. At first glance, they may seem unrelated, but the values I’ve learned from one have seamlessly translated into the other—discipline, teamwork, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

My journey to dental school wasn’t straightforward. After years of dedicating myself to baseball, I found myself at a crossroads: play a sixth, final season of collegiate baseball or fully commit to my dream of becoming a dentist. It wasn’t an easy decision, but I knew that dentistry was my true calling. I immersed myself in the field, applying everything I learned from my MBA program toward finding a way to make dental care more affordable and accessible. I even wrote a nearly 100-page business plan (and still growing) dedicated to solving one of the biggest barriers to care: cost. Despite setbacks—including rejections from dental schools and struggling to land a dental assisting job—I refused to give up. When the opportunity finally came, I drove two hours each way for hands-on experience at a start-up dental practice, determined to gain the knowledge and skills I needed.

That experience solidified my passion for dentistry. I learned firsthand that dentistry is about so much more than just fixing teeth—it’s about building relationships, educating patients, and leading a team. These are the same principles I valued in baseball, and they are the same reasons why I wake up every day excited about my future in dentistry. Volunteering at dental outreach programs annually, like Project Christmas Smile (Sarasota, FL) and TeamSmile (Tampa, FL), reinforced my belief that a healthy smile can be life-changing. Seeing patients break down in tears of joy after receiving care made me realize that dentistry isn’t just about oral health—it’s about confidence, happiness, and the ability to truly change lives.

During an unexpected, “prolonged gap year”, I found myself needing to pivot yet again—this time into door-to-door sales. Knocking on doors in the Florida summer heat, selling solar to strangers who weren’t exactly thrilled to see me, was an entirely different kind of challenge. But that experience taught me resilience, adaptability, and the power of clear, effective communication—skills that, surprisingly, translate perfectly into patient care. Whether it’s explaining treatment plans, building trust, or helping patients overcome anxieties of the dental clinic, I’ve learned that the best way to make an impact is through genuine connection.

As I continue my journey in dentistry, my mission remains clear: to provide high-quality care, break down barriers to treatment, and help people smile with confidence. Whether it’s in the clinic, through outreach programs, or within the business side of dentistry, I am committed to making a meaningful impact. Because at the end of the day, I believe that the more you smile, the happier you will be—and I want to help as many people as possible experience that happiness.