Morterboards

I didn't feel like I was a big fat loser for getting an Associate's Degree when everybody else was getting a Bachelor's Degree until the last week of school.

"Oh the Excellence in Service Award that you completed 8 modules and lots of paperwork to get, that can only be awarded to those getting a Bachelor's Degree."

"Oh, the purple and white striped honors cord?  That is only for those getting a Bachelor's Degree."

"Oh, the black robes and yellow tassle?  That is only for Bachelor's recipients."

"Oh, if you are getting an Associate's Degree you need to stand at the END of the line, by yourself, not talk to any of your friends and your name will be called out LAST."

It became a funny little joke between MeChel and I.  So, anyone in future Dental Hygiene years just be prepared for the humiliation that getting ONLY an Associate's brings.  I mean . . . not having to worry about Dr. Hansen's research class/thesis/paper may have been worth it.  Um, hold on . . . yes.  It was definitely worth it.

But graduation was still a fun day of pomp and circumstance, seeing friends, realizing it was the last time we would officially be together as a class, and hugging our dedicated instructors as we walked across the stage.  Holy Francis McConaughy crying her eyeballs out!  Didn't expect that from Fran.

Aloha!

DH BFFs

Karlie snagged a QUICK pic before Cam started his shyness.

Camden . . . too shy to show his face.

Good Times

Amidst the stress and amazing frustration of the final weeks at WSU, there were definitely also some good times.

MeChel looking up with a smile from the Class III that needed every medicament imaginable to be comfortable.

Emily scaling away on this curly haired lady.

My pod-mates charting together.

Me, giving Kristie one last good under-the-table-in-school-scaling before we start our adventures in real life.

Picking up our cords, water bottles, and MeChel's license plate cover for GRADUATION!

Light purple lab coat, I miss you already.

S-T-R-E-S-S!

There were times of HIGH STRESS during the school year.  Particularly the weeks before boards and then the weeks before clinic ended as we realized a bunch of random requirements that we hadn't thought about.  I captured a few of these stressful moments, and only wish I could have actually recorded the conversations that went on during these pictures, but I think I remember pretty well what went on.

"If ONE MORE PERSON even BRINGS UP another requirement, I will freak out."

Sam - Karlie - MeChel

"I am so ticked right now.  My Class III just cancelled . . . for the third time."

Karlie

"Wait.  We have to have 4 quads of a Class IV AT WEBER?!?!?  2 of mine are from the VA?!?!?!"

Sarah - Brooke

Instructors

In Fall 2011 I had clinic on Tuesdays.  My instructors were Prof. Susan Alexander, DOCTOR Hansen, Inst. Jenn Wold and Dr. Carol Naylor (kind of).

In Spring 2012 I had clinic on Thursdays.  My instructors were Prof. Susan Alexander (morning?), DOCTOR Hansen (afternoon) Inst. Jenn Wold, and Prof. Shane Perry.  When Dr. Hansen took a job with American Express (not teaching people how to use credit cards) we had the pleasure of having Marilyn Sadler, who had graduated just a year before us, fill in as our other clinical instructor.

So . . . a little summary of each to remember.  (Dr. Hanson has her own post so she will not be listed here.)

Prof. Susan Alexander-
Easy going.  Closed her eyes to really "feel".  Loved taking off amalgam overhangs with files.  Trusting.  Asked what my perio statement was.

Prof. Shane Perry-
High expectations.  Technical with clinical knowledge.  Always drilling with questions.  Didn't care if he made you look like an idiot in front of patients.  Realistic about outcomes of oral health.  Fun.  (An interesting side note about Perry is that after Dr. Hansen left, he became WAY more laid back and fun.  Go figure.)  Cognizant of needs, like if I needed to do a PE or was in a hurry to dismiss a patient at a certain time he would hang around.  He definitely grew on me as the semester went on.  Kept pod wraps to a minimum.

Inst. Jenn Wold-
Trusting of students judgement.  Let me do 4 PE's in one afternoon.  :)  Towards the end of the year her water bottle was always filled with what looked like the yummiest pink punch, don't know what it actually was.

Inst. Marilyn Sadler-
Amazing knowledge of correct charting system and health history.  Made sure everything was perfectly accurate without being rude about it.  Knew the difference between TalEval, Eaglesoft, and real life.  Like if quads needed to be recorded in TalEval differently than what may be billed in a real life situation.  Always around and available.  OFTEN taking on more instructor responsibilities than her own, like when certain instructors would randomly be gone for 45 minutes with no explanation, she would fill in to keep clinic running.  Helps with radiographs, and is dang good at it.       
 

Inst Wold's usual place and position.