AAWD Serves the Women of Rosie’s Place

On the second Friday of every month, members of the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) student chapter of the American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD) gather together at Rosie’s Place, a women’s shelter in the South End. There, they provide oral health care screenings and assistance to women at the shelter through the Women to Women program.

The Women to Women program represents a collaboration between the GSDM chapter of AAWD, the Division of Community Health Programs, and the Wellness Clinic at Rosie’s Place. Participants offer oral health advice, oral screenings, referrals, and personal oral health products to women seeking  the Wellness Center’s services. It affords the GSDM students an opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment alongside nurses, nursing students, and physician assistants.

“The Women to Women Program at Rosie’s Place offers an incredible opportunity for our students to gain a holistic view of issues faced by women who are in need of Rosie’s Place services,” said Oral Health Promotion Director Kathy Lituri. “It also enables them to work alongside nurses, physician assistants, nursing students, and, on occasion, a dermatologist.” She continued, “Rosie’s Place is our neighbor and a vital part of our surrounding community. We have been going there once a month since March 2011 and the ladies look for us and expect us to be there each month.”

Rosie’s Place, located in the South End a few blocks from GSDM, describes itself as a sanctuary for women in need of a little extra care and support. Rosie’s Place was founded in 1974 with a mission to “provide a safe and nurturing environment that helps poor and homeless women maintain their dignity, seek opportunity, and find security in their lives.” It was the first women’s shelter in the United States.

“I am so pleased to see our students participate in this important event every month,” said Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter. “Giving back to the community is an important part of our mission and it is truly gratifying to know that our students are regularly engaged in our community.”

August 8, 2014, participants included: Amanda Brogly DMD 15, Global & Public Health Volunteer Keerthy Chilakamarry, Sara Elashaal DMD 17, Linda Linsinbigler DMD 15, Clinical Associate Mohammed Mourad, and Alex Nguyen DMD 17.

September 12, 2014, participants included: Amanda Alon DMD 18, Sara Elashaal DMD 17, Justine Karanian DMD 15, Andrea Lam DMD 16, and Marium Qureshi AS 15.

If you are interested in participating in an upcoming Women to Women event at Rosie’s Place, email Kathy Lituri at lituri@bu.edu. You do not have to be an AAWD member or a woman to participate. For more information about Rosie’s Place, visit their website.