NSU CDM Lasting Impressions Fall 2018

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY | 43 tight-knit family, sharing a bond that weaves through every aspect of their lives. “We went to the same high school, the same under- grad college, and now the same dental school,” said Greg Norton. “I was on the same sports team in college with my brother. I golf with him a lot. I take classes with my sister. We have dental conversations at dinner. We always study together, work well together, and help each other out. It makes life a little bit easier.” “We had dental magazines everywhere,” said Emily Norton of their childhood. “Dad was always into continuing education, so we were always seeing bits and pieces of information.” The Norton siblings were aware of their father’s impact on patients’ lives and of patients’ respect for him. Many became family friends. “It felt natural for us to fall into this,” said Emily of her and her brothers’ decisions to pursue dental careers. They all had an interest in math and science and in using their hands to help improve people’s well-being. The Norton family enjoyed a healthy work-family balance. Despite their father’s long days at his office, “he always came to our soccer games,” said Emily. “He was always trying to point us in the right direc- tion when we were kids with our math homework and science projects. He was always there when we needed him.” They, in turn, have been there for him. After their mother passed away, they moved back to Boynton Beach from south Broward County to be with their father. Although it meant a longer commute to NSU, they supported each other in the healing process. ATHLETIC ADVANTAGE As children, the three were not only high achieving in academics—particularly in math and science—but also gifted in athletics, where they made a name for themselves at St. Andrews School in Boca Raton. The Norton siblings were each recruited to Bucknell Univer- sity in Pennsylvania—where their father and grandfa- ther went to college—to play Division I water polo. While their father earned his dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, the siblings all chose the CDM to be close to family and friends and enjoy year-round outdoor activities. “It’s hard to believe they all ended up being bio majors and deciding to go into dental school,” said Norton, adding he’s “thrilled” his children chose dentistry as a career. “I knew they were athletic. Dentistry is an art and a science, and if you’re coordinated, it makes it a lot easier,” he said. “It requires dexterity, and you don’t know until you start doing it in your sophomore and junior years if you’re really good with your hands.” TRIPLE THREAT The Norton siblings have become an attraction at NSU CDM. “All of the teachers are so excited to meet us when we come into their classes,” noted Emily. “They’re very caring, always helping us, and are very patient with us. We have a thousand questions. They guide us.” The three have engaged in a fair amount of student involvement, including Psi Omega, the cosmetic dentistry club, the American Student Dental Associa- tion, and the Florida Dental Association. Emily holds membership in Phi Kappa Phi for her ranking in the top 10 percent in her class. In 2017, the twins went to Jamaica on a medical outreach trip. “It was an eye-opening experience for us,” said Emily. “They had no access to dentistry. They were so happy to see us.” In a makeshift clinic set up in a local church, Emily and Greg worked as part of a dynamic approach involv- ing NSU students representing dental, pharmacy, osteo- pathic medicine, and occupational therapy sectors. “The students from the different colleges worked to- gether, which was very helpful for the patients,” Emily said. Many patients presented with tooth decay, noted Emily. “A lot of work involved extractions. We were helping them get out of pain. It was nice to give back like that. It was a humbling experience.” “I enjoyed how grateful the Jamaicans were when we went there,” Greg said. “There were hundreds of them standing outside wanting dental treatment. We could only do so much, but we were able to help the community out.” Emily and Greg have done pediatric rotations at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and the NSU CDM Kids In Distress clinic. While at the CDM, Stephen spent once a week at the NSU North Miami Beach clinic, worked with HIV patients at the Cypress Creek facility, and did pediatric rotations at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. continued on page 44