My interview for UC Denver was scheduled a Friday in November. Due to flight schedules, I had to leave La Guardia Thursday morning to fly to Denver. The university has a corporate account with Double Tree by Hilton, so for about $100 I had a king room for one night with transportation provided to and from the airport and medical campus. I shared the shuttle to the hotel with three medical students, two of who were applying to OBGYN and one to Neurology. The Neurology applicant turned out to be a 2010 Union College graduate (I’m Class of 2009) who I’d encountered a few times back in college. Reminiscing about college days and mutual friends was a pleasant surprise, something I wasn’t expecting halfway across the country.

The morning of the interview a group of us shared the shuttle to the campus and I met a fellow GPR interviewee. We arrived more than 30 minutes prior to when we had been asked to arrive, and so sat chatting in the reception area as other applicants trickled in. Although we had been asked to check in at the reception desk at 7:45, no one was there and we were eventually shuffled into a conference room to begin.

The director of the program, Dr. Mitnitsky, provided a brief overview of the program and detailed the benefits and stipend (which happens to be one of the lowest in the country), the various rotations, and expectations of the residents. We were informed that the pediatric and laryngology rotations had been suspended, in contradiction to the program’s website. The explanations offered detailed what I’ll refer to as professional cold shouldering, but there’s really nothing professional about the situations. Apparently the pediatric program that the GPR residents rotate through primarily had the GPR residents observe their pediatric residents. And the ENTs would contact the GPR program expecting them to extract teeth on notice, but would not respond to requests for consultation made by the GPR program. This surprised me, primarily because all my experiences with Denver folks so far had been exceedingly friendly.

During Dr. Mitnitsky’s overview we were provided with a form to fill out detailing our goals, any previous honors, interests following GPR, number of procedures performed, and whether we were interested in a 1 or 2 year GPR or if we were undecided. No time was provided to fill out this form, and I wasn’t about to complete it during Dr. Mititsky’s presentation.

Immediately following the overview presentation, a resident took us across campus for a tour of the hospital so we could see the dental room in the ER as well as the cafeteria. At the start of the tour an applicant asked if she liked the program and her response was less than encouraging. My takeaway was that it’s a challenging program where the residents do a lot, but they’re potentially overwhelmed and overworked. As we approached the ER she said to me that her tour guide one year ago had taken them down this hall and was telling them not to come to the program, about how horrible it was.

Back at the dental school we were taken through the OS wing, GPR lounge, and GPR treatment area. I was forced to interrupt the tour as I was the first to be interviewed and no one had told me where to go. I found the director back in the reception area and made an attempt to introduce myself to the remainder of the interviewing panel; comprised of three doctors and the GPR business manager. After introducing myself, most of the doctors simply walked away.

The interview occurred in the same conference where we had met earlier that morning, with me on one side of the table and the panel on the other. The first question was an elevator pitch ‘tell me about yourself, why dentistry, why GPR’ question. Next I was asked about my music, writing (specific to the book of short stories I’ve self published), and about my Eagle Scout project. I tend to have trouble with body language in these situations, my passion displays itself with a discerning and serious facial expression. But comments about maybe one day being able to buy my book at a local bookstore gave me opportunities to smile and return to my easy-going but directed self. We spoke briefly about my outreaches in Madagascar, and about my experiences as a first responder in various medical emergencies we encountered on outreach.

The interview took a negative turn when the next doctor commented “I see you haven’t finished filling out your survey form”. I had done my best with the time allotted (which was basically none), and for procedures which I had yet to complete I left blank rather than enter a ’0′. I figured it would be best to have a conversation about this, rather than become known as a number on a page. My explanation included that receiving good cases and patients who follow through was more or less luck and that after workup of many cases (full exams including study casts, articulations, and case photographs), the patient would not return to receive treatment. Often this is due to financial concerns. I believe that the doctors were interested in having residents that were experienced and well-prepared, and it was my goal to convey to them that I was becoming as prepared and experienced as my school and patients allowed.

Dr. Mitnitsjy was the last to address me, and again began on a negative note. He commented that the due date for applications was October 15th and that my application came in on the 15th. He downplayed the program’s erroneous website which states that the due date was November 1st, passing responsibility to his web admin. He stated that by this time over 100 applications had been reviewed, many of which they’d passed on. Something, he said, had impressed them enough to invite me for an interview. Why then, he asked, had I waited? I’ll refrain from providing my answer and want to concentrate on what this might say about the program. A deadline is a deadline is a deadline. My application was in by the deadline, and still weeks prior to the program’s deadline as stated by their website. Why was my on time application scrutinized, while their mistakes brushed under the carpet?

Next Dr. Mitnitsky presented a panoramic radiograph with a limited history of breast cancer with metastasis to bone. Since little direction was given, I decided to take the panel through how I look at a pan. I stood and walked to the screen to point as I verbalized my thought process. The mandibular right ridge exemplified some ridge loss and possible loss of cortical border, although it was unclear with the poor quality of the radiograph. They began asking for a diagnosis without providing any additional information, which of course I was unable to give as the exam was incomplete. They asked if I’d restore this patient with a mandibular RPD, since her chief complaint was related to chewing (my answer: not initially). Finally a clinical photo was presented, which showed exposed, necrotic bone. Clearly this was either osteoradionecrosis of the jaw or BRONJ. Finally they revealed that the patient had been treated with bisphosohonates, and asked how long the medication elicited a response in the bone. I commented that  studies have suggested numbers ranging from six to ten years, while others have suggested the possibility that the drug never leaves the bone. They asked patient management in relation to the bisphosphonates, which put me between a rock and a hard place. I mentioned that Stony Brook was still teaching a drug holiday but that there was no evidence to suggest a drug holiday is effective. It seemed like the panel agreed, but wanted me to discount the drug holiday. How could I, if the drug holiday is what my school teaches?

Before we concluded I asked about the programs weaknesses, which they stated was pediatric dentistry. I also asked about the opportunity to teach, whether as a first or second year and was told that opportunity would be available, likely in the form of the the predoctoral emergency clinic.

The remainder of the day we observed residents working in the clinic. Lunch was provided during a break from interviews. I stayed later in the day than most applicants, watching residents provide treatment. I’d said my goodbyes after lunch anticipating not staying through all the interviews. Afterwards, I shared the shuttle back to the hotel with another applicant and we eventually went for a snack and drink at a nearby sports pub.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be releasing write ups about my interview experiences at each program. Hopefully some readers will be able to gain some insight and the blurbs will prove to be a good resource for those applying to GPR next cycle. Cheers!

And today I boarded to get coffee and do some computering:

This entry is at least a month overdue, but it’s an important one. We’ve embarked on what’s to be our last year of dental school. Emotions rush just as they did when we began our first year of dental school. The chaos that is finishing Year III requirements, staying afloat in Year IV, applying to post-graduate programs, and of course of CODA accreditation site visit (which begins tomorrow)…it all boils down to the need for happy hour with friends. Whether it’s a home-made pizza pie or vineyard tastings with Suffolk County Dental Society, what really makes our experiences here at dental school is the people. Our classmates, our instructors, our mentors, our staff, and our friends and family outside the dental world. Without you, we’d all just be dentists.

The Stony Brook chapter of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry hosted our 2013 Mission to Madagascar team last night for a presentation and discussion regarding our outreach mission. In aid of my presentation, Dr. Krause provided me with some interesting facts that I wasn’t familiar with before. First was the list of previous missions and number/type of participants.

The first mission was in 1999 with only one dental provider, compared with a total of thirteen of us last summer on the tenth mission! It was also neat to see an outline of previous clinic locations mapped over the island.

Many thanks to Sarah Kahn and Alexandra Porcu for arranging this event and for giving us an opportunity to share our experiences. It was great that a few members of the team were able to join us, and Dr. Krause too.

I first visited the ADA building with my brother in 2010, prior to beginning school at Stony Brook. In the lobby they had an exhibit with various dental science facts and displays. I couldn’t pass up making a second trip to the building while I was in the area. Although there was no exhibit this time, it was still neat to see the hub that drives our professional association. This thing is huge!

I’ve been fortunate enough to be selected for this edition’s Artist’s Palate profile over at The Articulator, SBU School of Dental Medicine’s online newsletter. I have a hard time defining myself as an artist, so I wasn’t quite sure what to speak about when Vince asked me to do an interview. Luckily, he knows how to direct an interview and he asked appropriate questions that led to a decent writeup. The article will be up at the art section of The Articulator for a limited time, and I’ve reproduced it here for archival’s sake. Much thanks for Vincent Badali’s efforts, as well as the rest of the staff at The Articulator.

Devin Harrison is a 3rd year student that comes to us from Saratoga, NY. He has been known to dabble in many artistic endeavors, but as you’ll find out, dabble may not quite describe his passion to learn more about the things that interest him…

Favorite musician: That’s so hard. How about this. Two of my favorite pianists are Brad Mehldau and Chick Corea. Two of my favorite saxophonists are Joshua Redman and Branford Marsalis.

Favorite photographer: The one that I most respect is Ansel Adams. A master of the science of photography.

Favorite beer (you haven’t brewed): Interesting question. I just discovered it within the last month. Brooklyn Brewery’s Dry Irish Stout. It’s currently on tap in the Velvet Lounge. Anyone reading this can feel free to buy me one!

Favorite grape: Sangiovese. It’s the main grape in a chianti.

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State your name.

Daniel Ocean

Ocean’s Eleven. Don’t worry. A lot of this will be cut out…

You can keep that in.

So, this is the Artist’s Palate, and I’m really here with Devin Harrison: self-proclaimed artist (laughing).

I’m really not a self-proclaimed artist. I really don’t like to think of myself as an artist. I just do stuff that other people consider to be artistic.

What are some of these things that others consider to be art? Give me some examples.

I play music, I’m into photography. What else is art? I don’t know.

You make T-shirts…

(Smiling) Yeah, I did make my own T-Shirt. So I don’t know. What else? Some people consider beer and wine making to be a form of art.

Yes, I’ve been an assistant in the process. Many would consider that to be art, but I think it’s more of a science. Would you agree?

I could say everything is a science. I guess that’s why I do it so much. I do these things and I critique them to see how I can make it better.

It take time to make things better. For instance, your music. You play several instruments. Can you tell me what they are?

I started the piano when I was five, I picked up the saxophone in middle school, as well as the guitar. Those are my three main instruments.

The saxophone and the piano are very different instruments. What drew you to those? Did your parents force you to play the piano?

Yeah, of course. I actually almost quit once and I’m glad I didn’t because it offers so much relaxation now. People say “oh you must be good. You’ve played for so long”, but I’ll probably never think I’m good. I’m never satisfied with my own playing. It’s like I said: It’s always about making things better. But, I got really heavy into the saxophone, and music in general, in high school because my music instructor was a great mentor. I would consider him a friend. He led the jazz ensemble, which I joined and continued with that throughout college. Hopefully one day you’ll be able to go into New York and see me playing in a jazz club. That’s probably not going to happen, but it would be really cool if you did.

This is a goal of yours?

I think it would be fun to be able to play in bars on the weekend. My brother has done it. It’s not something I’ve done with my own band. I’ve done it when joining other people’s bands, but I’d like to do it with my own band someday.

We’ve seen you play with your brother once or twice. Have you played together often?

Surprisingly no, considering we’ve spent a lot of time living together. I don’t have a good explanation for that. It’s hard to make things come together with just the two of us. It’s hard to make a full band sound with just two people. Plus our styles and desires are very different.

Have you played in bands?

All of the ones I’ve been in were spin-offs of the jazz ensembles I’ve been in. In addition I was in an organized “symphonic band”.  We organized a saxophone quartet, which was really fun. I was actually the only student. There were two instructors and one of their friends, so I felt really special to be a part of that. Other spin-off bands playing events like local swing nights, and one of my favorite things I’ve done as far as music is concerned was playing at Ritz Carlton for an alumni event. That was pretty sweet.

I’m going to change the subject a bit.

You can change it as much as you want.

We talked about the beer. You and I have made beer before and it was a lot of fun. What do you have brewing right now?

Beer takes a lot of time and effort. A brew night is at least 5 hours of work. The last one I made I wanted to imitate scotch, because I really enjoy scotch. I wanted to use some ingredients similar to scotch to make it taste smoky and to boost the alcohol content. Paul Gignac gave his thumbs up, so I’m proud of that.

When was that bottled?

I don’t bottle anymore. I keg. Kegging takes about a half hour including cleanup. Bottling takes at least an hour, usually closer to two. That beer was kegged in the fall. I’ve been focusing on wine. It’s easier. You put it in a bucket, add some stuff, stir it up, ferment it, and pretty soon you’re ready to drink it, which is the most important part.

Eventually you do have to drink it. Not as much work. What types of wines have you made?

I’ve made some reds and some whites. I prefer reds, so I’ve made a chianti, a montepulciano, a Barolo. In white I’ve made a riesling.

You’ve mentioned a bunch of Italian wines. What else?

I haven’t made that many wines. I think that’s it.  That’s four batches and each batch is 6 gallons, so you can get an idea of how much wine that is.

You don’t need much more. So when’s the party?

Right now.

I’ve seen some of your photos. A lot of nature and landscapes, but I’ve also seen photos of people too.

Usually I only take pictures of people when I’m hanging out with them. Not like an organized set up. It’s more candid. It’s nice to have these somewhat artistic photos to look back upon for memory’s sake.

Talk about how you got into it all.

Well, yes, I did go to band camp as a kid. They had some other courses that weren’t music related. One of them was photography. The first year we were just taking pictures and learning the basics. Then I found out that my dad had taken courses to learn dark room photograph, so he had a lot of the equipment. So I kind of took it from him and set it up. I started doing that in early high school and I’ve been shooting film ever since. It’s surprisingly easy and cheap, and I prefer the workflow and esthetic. Taking a picture on a digital camera and looking at it – there’s not much there for me. I like the methodical nature of film.

What type of film do you use? Kodak doesn’t make Kodachrome anymore.

Yeah, Paul Simon is rolling over in his metaphorical grave. There are so many types of film. There’s 35mm, which most people know about. I have done medium format.  I used to buy rolls on their own, and since I’ve gotten into bulk loading, buying a 100 feet at a time and load the canisters on their own.

I’ve seen you with a few different cameras

Don’t start. I have a problem.  As far as 35mm, I have a few SLRs a few rangefinders. I have one panoramic, which is really cool. In order to get the panoramic the camera bends the film so that it’s not on a flat plane. Some are point and shoot and some are more advanced where you can control all of the features. Yeah, I would say I have a problem, but it’s enjoyable.

I’m seeing a pattern. You have many different hobbies. Anyone can drink a beer, but you prefer to brew it yourself. Anyone can take photo, but you prefer to develop on your own. Why?

I would say that I have an obsessive and addictive personality. If I get into something I want to know anything and everything about it. If someone else is doing it for me, why can’t I do it myself and maybe make it better. If I can’t do it better, at least I can control the variables. With beer for instance, I can make it taste that way that I want it to taste. This attitude may be reflected in dentistry. It might steer my career into a different direction. I just have yet to figure out which direction that is.

Anything that I’ve missed?

I used to be into video. I used to do a lot of wedding videography. I liked it because you have to be on your feet and work your butt off. If you missed the first kiss, then you missed the first kiss. There’s no going back. This is for the Artist’s Palate? Speaking of the palate. I like to cook. I enjoy baking. One of my famous things is my croissants. You have to say it like you’re French.

What else.

I don’t know if you can call it art, but some would say it’s performance art. One time in college I started an informal group called SExpOH, which stands for Social Experiments Of Happiness. In our campus center we had 15-20 people in our dining area, which is not much larger than the Learning Center, freeze for 5 minutes. It was interesting to hear what people would say while we were frozen. A year later I was on a term abroad in Florence with a classmate that had no idea that I was a part of that group. He said how cool it was that “these people” just stopped. I knew at least we brightened one person’s day.

Thank you Devin. We’d love to have you provide some pictures and music that we can embed into the interview (click here for a link to some of Devin’s work!).

Can we send an E-beer?

There has to be some law against that…