Lasting Impressions | Fall 2015

NSU COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE © 11 Impressed with the CDM’s good works, two years ago Aylmer and DrewWilliams, a fellow second-year student, launched the Swinging For Smiles Charity Golf Tournament. Aylmer was ASDA social chair and Williams was ASDA community service representative when the two organized the event. The one-day golf outings at the Davie Golf and Country Club in 2013, and the Bonaven- ture County Club in Weston in 2014, raised a total of about $10,000 for missions and Give Kids A Smile Day. The 2015 Swinging For Smiles tournament was held November 7, 2015, at the Bonaventure Country Club. (For more information on the tournament, visit www.swingingforsmiles.com . ) “I always liked helping people,” Aylmer said, relat- ing how he decided during his junior year in high school that he wanted to be a dentist. Now, he said, giving back to the community has made him look at dentistry a little differently and realize how lucky he is to have opportunities to take care of the people “who take care of you.” “John has a huge role in representing our class,” Williams said, talking about Aylmer’s ASDA work. “He’s extremely committed when it comes to those leadership roles. He puts in a lot of extra hours. He’s done a great job.” Community service is a part of the curriculum—and a core value of NSU—and every student is responsible for fulfilling requirements, said Casey Lynn, D.M.D., a 2015 CDM graduate who preceded Aylmer as president of ASDA at the college. “It just becomes ingrained in you. You can use what you know to help so many people.” The College of Dental Medicine builds “a strong culture of everyone working together and having a great time while we’re doing it,” Lynn added. Aylmer worked with Ian Lieberman, D.M.D., a 2015 CDM graduate, who was the president of the CDM Student Government Association (SGA). They planned the Shark Social at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino that was part of alumni weekend activities last February. The networking event gives current students “an understanding of how [the CDM] prepares us to enter dentistry,” Aylmer said. The 2016 Shark Social is planned for February 2016, again at the same location. While growing up, Aylmer played hockey in a youth league. And during his first year as a dental student, he even found time to play hockey in an adult league in Coral Springs. “It was a good study break,” he said. The affable Aylmer, who also enjoys diving and spear fishing, said he wants to practice general dentistry in Flor- ida “somewhere near the beach.” Not surprising for some- one who grew up near Cocoa Beach, where he enjoyed surfing. As a practicing dentist, Aylmer plans to play hockey and surf. “You’ve got to stay active,” he said. u John Aylmer wants to practice general dentistry in Florida after he gradu- ates with his D.M.D. in May 2016. As president of the American Student Dental Association for the CDM, Aylmer, left, brings Linda Niessen, CDM dean, up to date on the organization.