Amber Medillin

Pre-Health Science
Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL

Describe your current job role:

Currently, I am in my second year of dental school at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. Upon graduation from this four year program, I will be a practicing General Dentist.

What professional experience(s) did you have prior to your current job role?

Prior to dental school, I shadowed a lot at my dentist’s office. I also was the President of the Pre-Dental Society at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Recently, I went on a mission trip with the University of Florida Christian Dental Society to Guatemala. While there, we treated over 700 patients in just three days. It was truly a rewarding experience to be able to pray with patients before treatment and provide the dental care they needed.

What do you know now that you wish you had known about being a working professional?

I wish I had known more about the business aspect of dentistry. A lot of times patients come into the clinics needing a lot of dental treatments, but since they do not have oral health care as one of their values, they opt for the cheapest options that may not necessarily be the most conservative. Additionally, they think we as dentists are only out for their money and do not have their best interest at heart. In dental school, we learn a lot about patient care and how to be good health care providers, but how to run a business is not always top priority in the curriculum. I wish there was more taught about how to run a dental practice from a business perspective.

"Do not let the world's standards define you as a person."

How did PBA prepare you for the world of work?

PBA helped me learn how to strive for excellence while also seeking to please the Lord. In dental school, I made it a goal to be a light that shines for the Lord so that men would see my good works and glorify God in Heaven. That goal is rooted in scripture, Matthew 5:16. It was the same goal I had my senior year at PBA while playing softball for the Sailfish. It has become a life goal for me to this day.

What advice would you give to current PBA students and/or young alumni who are about to start their first professional full-time job?