MESSAGE FROM DR . MARTIN LIEBERMAN , VICE PRESIDENT OF GRADUATE DENTAL EDUCATION
2020
I have reflected on our journey over these last 9 months and thought long and hard about how our programs navigated the uncharted events we experienced in 2020 . Initial feelings of being overwhelmed , scared , and uncertain of the future were replaced with feelings of resiliency , hope , gratefulness , and pride .
Thanks to all of you , we have — strengthened our solid foundation of real world training , distinguished faculty who care about our residents and their patients , and top-notch health centers across the US working to bridge the gap of equity in oral healthcare .
As your health centers have welcomed back residents and patients , please know that your work has not gone unnoticed . We have heard from residents , faculty , and patients with sincere expressions of gratitude . In this issue of The Bridge , we will honor some of our oral healthcare heroes and acknowledge their courage and selflessness in caring for their communities in crisis .
We are reviewing what we have learned these past months — we ’ re listening more , working collaboratively , and creating new , innovative ways to improve outcomes .
We are developing plans and strategies to ensure equitable opportunities for learning and to improve accessibility and quality of oral health services for all people . We have seen firsthand that we are stronger together . Our perseverance and resilience will help us continue to deliver on our plan , accelerate progress , and hold ourselves accountable to those we serve .
I ’ m looking forward to the future of our programs . I am proud of each of you and thank you for all you do for our residents , faculty , and staff to deliver the best possible patient care and educational experience .
“ COVID-19 has taken a lot from us this year , but it has also given us strength , wisdom and courage .”
Martin Lieberman , DDS , MA
Vice President of Graduate Dental Education
4 NYU LANGONE DENTAL MEDICINE POSTDOCTORAL RESIDENCY PROGRAMS