Mentorship :
A Ripple Effect
By Nelly Silva , DMD
In the last year alone , I have been approached to submit my name for consideration as an associate editor of the Pennsylvania Dental Journal , nominated and selected for Fellowship in the International College of Dentists , sat in on PDA Board of Trustees meetings , worked with the PNFE Foundation ( a nonprofit established in honor of my father , Professor Nkanta Frank Ekanem ) in Nigeria to take dental attention to areas where it is less accessible , and been involved in various collaborations and initiatives on all levels of leadership to improve lives in the U . S . and in Nigeria . As a black , Nigeria-born dentist , I am proud of who and where I am as a talented and confident professional who is progressing up the ranks of the ADA . I am impassioned to make a difference , and empowered to lead ; but although this is my life now , by no stretch of the imagination would I ever have thought this would be my story .
To look back on my marred past , dealing with loss , failure , brokenness , anxiety , depression , family pressure and even two suicide attempts , it is surreal to think of the transformation that has led to my new reality . I could have taken so many different paths , made different choices , or remained stuck in low places because of past mistakes , but thankfully , that was not my story because of the God-sent people , angels , warriors , encouragers , guides , listeners ... MENTORS who showed up for me . Through every stage , I can pinpoint someone who changed me through sometimes small , yet profound ways . The compounding , cascading ripple effect of these mentors ultimately pushed me to become the powerful , purpose-driven woman that I am today .
More than my talent , more than willpower , and more than any effort on my part , my mentors have made me , and the strength , direction and clarity I stand on today is what they gave me .
While this is not the forum to pay tribute to all of the 20 + mentors who have played a role in shaping me , I must mention a few unlikely persons to whom I am eternally grateful .
I think it started with Mr . Hudson in high school , who pushed me into the Honors Science Class although I had no interest in it at all . As a young adult Dr . Glen Nathan , who by fixing my elongated mandible , gave me the confidence to put myself and my voice out there . At Temple University , mentors like Associate Dean Dr . Lisa Deem were always on my side guiding me , and her advice to do my board exams in July instead of the following December must have been divine intervention , as my mom suffered a terrible stroke that August . I would not have been in any mental state to sit for the board exams in December , or perhaps maybe ever . I also can ’ t forget how I learned to believe in myself because of the consistent presence and encouragement from fatherfigures like Dr . Jay Freedman . It can ’ t be reduced to any particular word or moment we shared , but I thought if someone else can love and support me so selflessly , the least I can do is love and believe in myself as well . I think this is perhaps one of the most understated effects that mentoring has on a person — it makes you feel stronger , more supported , more fearless and confident , which are traits you need to succeed in any endeavor , including our intense field of dentistry . Having lost a dental assistant to
18 MARCH / APRIL 2023 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL