Lasting Impressions | Fall 2016

12 © NSU LASTING IMPRESSIONS and the administrators. She is also strongly motivated to help the students and residents become solid dentists.” Hernandez enjoys passing on the support and guidance she has received to the residents and other faculty members. “As director, the residents are my family. I call them my kids,” she said. “Since I became chair, I say my family has been expanded to include the faculty and sta members. We are one big family here.” One of her favorite aspects of her position is watching her postgraduate “kids” grow and ourish. “When they come into the program, they are dentists already, but they have basic knowledge,” she said. “It’s so neat to see them do their rst presentation, and then, how much they change by their last one. When they graduate, they are ying.” Fatemeh Gholami, D.D.S., M.S.D., a CDM postgraduate periodontology resident from Iran, is an example of one of the students who has received help. Hernandez recognized Gholami was having a di cult time transitioning from what she had learned in Iran to the NSU program and worked with Gholami to help her. Hernandez also encouraged Gholami to consider the academia route. As a result, Gholami is now succeeding in the program with a promis- ing future in periodontics, possibly in a university setting. “Professor Hernandez has inspired me with a methodol- ogy in research and clinical approach to the extent that I could not imagine or hope for a better mentor,” Gholami said. “Her remarkable personal conduct and professional ethics serve as a great example.” Hernandez says her goals for the Department of Peri- odontology include improving relations and connections with CDM alumni, expanding research, and continuing to elevate the reputation of NSU’s periodontics program. “We have a very good reputation for the product we are getting out of the doors of the CDM,” she said. “ e dentists and specialists I know in the community tell me that NSU graduates exceptional dentists and specialists. I get a lot of emails and calls around graduation inquiring about our graduates working for them, because they have had such good experiences with us.” Hernandez, who is continually honing her leadership skills, recently completed the American Dental Education Association Leadership Institute—a yearlong program for leaders in academic dental institutions. “I will be bringing to NSU all the skills and knowledge I have developed during my training, so I can guide and help my colleagues at the CDM,” she said. “Also, I think I will be able to successfully support the mission of NSU and the 2020 vision and goals.” Outside of the CDM, Hernandez enjoys biking, traveling, and playing with her beloved beagle, Camila. “She’s the best,” Hernandez said. “No matter what kind of day I’ve had, I come home and see those eyes and that wagging tail, and that’s all I need.” Faculty Impressions Maria Hernandez, right, thrives on connecting with CDM students and patients.