Tooth Talk: Q&A with Hassan Hamade DMD 29
In our Q&A series, “Tooth Talk,” we are sitting down with GSDM students and residents to learn more about their paths to Boston University, their time at GSDM, and how they have made Boston their home.
For the next edition, we spoke with Hassan Hamade DMD 29. He shared how his best friend influenced him to become a dentist and his educational journey to achieve his dental pursuits.
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Questions and responses have been edited for clarity, context information, and length.
When did you first know you wanted to become a dentist?
It was probably when I was about 15 years old. I wasn’t interested in law or medicine, but I did know that I wanted to work in healthcare. My best friend at the time, Mohamad Osman, knew that he wanted to go into dentistry and I decided that I would go into dental with him.
You shared with me that Mohamad passed away from Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma during your freshman year of college. I give you a lot of grace for navigating this loss and talking about it with me. How did your friendship influence you to continue pursing dentistry?
Mohamad was enrolled in a seven-year dental program at the University of Detroit Mercy. The school gave him a white coat and graduated him after his passing. I wanted to carry through with all the talks we had and our dreams of what we wanted to accomplish in the future. I wanted to do it more for him. I wanted to carry his legacy on as well as mine.
Now that you are in your first year of dental school at GSDM, do you feel like you are on the path of carrying both of your dental legacies?
I feel like I’m on the first step. The next step is to graduate and then open up a clinic. I plan to name a clinic after him. I’m on my way now.
You are originally from Dearborn, Michigan, and went to the University of Michigan for your undergraduate degree. What led you to come to Boston and GSDM?
I was getting my master’s degree in biomedical science at Barry University in Miami, but I knew I did not want to go to dental school in Miami. I met Dr. Robert Kasberg (former GSDM assistant dean for admissions), and we made a strong bond. I ended up coming here literally because of him. Boston is known for its healthcare. If I am going to learn about healthcare, I should learn where it is the best.
Now that you are in your first year of dental school, what are you most excited about?
I am definitely excited to get into the Simulation Learning Center and later the Patient Treatment Center. I’m excited to learn how to interact with patients and how to provide competent patient care.
How are you enjoying GSDM so far?
Our class is a very close-knit class–we’re all friends with each other. We all get along very well. There’s no one on the outside or left out. I’m impressed with the organization and the facilities of the school. I like how eager the upperclassmen are to help the D1s. It has been very welcoming.
If you could give advice to either a pre-dental student or someone who is interested in GSDM, what advice would you give them?
I would tell them to take it one step at a time. Don’t rush the process and when it’s your time, it will be your time. Just because you don’t get into dental school right out of undergrad doesn’t mean it is the end of the world. I didn’t get in until three years after undergrad.
Getting familiar with Boston is one of the many perks of being part of the GSDM community. Since you are new to Boston, what have you done to become acclimated to your new city?
I enjoy the Boston Common. I like Newbury Street and going to the harbor. There’s a lot of outdoor activities you can do. We walk, we bike a lot, we go canoeing, kayaking—it’s nice to just spend some time outdoors.