February 2022 Visit Our Website

RSDM Graduating Class
Achieved 90% Match Rate for Postdoctoral Programs
Ninety percent of Rutgers School of Dental Medicine fourth-year students seeking placement in postdoctoral programs were matched — far above the national average of 64 percent. RSDM Dean Cecile A. Feldman announced the impressive statistics at a virtual Match Day ceremony on Jan. 25 attended by more than 80 people.
Cecile A. Feldman Named Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
RSDM Dean Cecile A. Feldman’s leadership and advocacy in dental education, research and delivery of oral health care has earned her induction into the prestigious American Association for the Advancement of Science alongside 11 other Rutgers faculty.
Newly Published Journal Spotlights RSDM
Students’ Research
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine students published peer-reviewed research by students and faculty in a new issue of Journal of Dentistry. Creating the 70-page journal was a Herculean task for the dozen-plus students who shepherded it through the rigorous process during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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RSDM Gives Veterans
Something to Smile About
Rutgers School of Dental Medicine may soon be treating more U.S. veterans under an initiative designed to connect former military personnel with affordable dental care.
RSDM was tapped to participate in VETSmile, a pilot program launched last year by the Department of Veteran Affairs. RSDM’s agreement is about to be finalized, Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs Michael Conte said.
Student Spotlight: Brazilian Brothers Partner in
Education and Career
Brazilian brothers Yuri and Stalin Borges are nearly five years apart, but as close as twins. They did an orthodontics residency together and operated a practice in their home country before enrolling in RSDM, together. While the Borgeses haven’t yet decided where in the U.S. they'll practice when they graduate in May 2023, they know they’ll be side by side.
Alum of the Month
Elisa Velazquez ’99 Seeks to Improve Dental Field for Providers and Patients

Elisa Velazquez runs a thriving practice with three offices in South Jersey, and is an active and generous donor to RSDM. She is a big believer in education and mentorship. Velazquez strongly advocates for organized dentistry, part of her drive to promote equality and inclusion in the workforce, and increase access to care.

Last year, Velazquez started a New Jersey chapter of the national Hispanic Dental Association. She is president of the New Jersey Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and treasurer for the New Jersey Dental Association.