Name: Eugene Asabor

Medical Title/Credentials: Dental Student

Instagram (IG): @geneskiii

School/Program: Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

Favorite Hobby: Basketball, Soccer, Weight lifting

Why did you choose this profession?
As a child, I always knew I wanted to work in the healthcare setting and help those in need. I was inspired while shadowing Dr. Agnew of Chino Hills Dentistry and sparked some interest in the field of dentistry. As I gained more knowledge about the profession, I knew it was something I wanted to do for my career. During my short time in dental school thus far, I have been a part of amazing experiences that have confirmed my love for dentistry. The trust patients have in me and my colleagues motivate me to strive for excellence, highlighting my love for making meaningful differences in their lives. My favorite aspect of dentistry is the opportunity to build long-term relationships with patients. Being a social person, meeting new people, building relationships, and, most importantly, helping my community within my profession is very rewarding.

Biggest Inspiration
My parents are my biggest inspiration in life. They have made countless sacrifices throughout their lives to provide my siblings and me with opportunities that were out of their reach. I feel it’s my responsibility to return the favor. I am forever grateful that they have pushed and challenged me to not be content and to strive for new heights.

Hobby
I am picking up new hobbies such as snowboarding and photography/videography. Photography started with an opportunity to take pictures of my friend during his DJ set, and I’ve loved it ever since. I recently helped record a YouTube video for my friend's channel, and I hope to become a better editor in the future.

When you wear scrubs, what feature do you want from scrub brands?
I'm a huge fan of scrubs that are comfortable. That is my number 1 priority. I need to be able to go about my day and not once think about the garments on my body irritating me. Another feature that I think is important is the overall fit and style of the scrubs the brand has. The little details are important to me, such as the length of the sleeves or the hem of the pants.

Advice for others interested in entering your field
Dentistry is a competitive field, but it is extremely important to focus on yourself and move at your own pace. Good hand skills may come naturally to some, but as long as you continue to work hard, the skills needed will develop. I strongly recommend anyone considering dentistry to work on their social skills because that is a vital skill to have to develop and maintain relationships with colleagues and patients.

"Win the Day" Constantly challenge yourself to win each day. Finish your to-do list, take on new challenges, and step out of your comfort zone. Treat each day as if it's your last, living in the present and appreciating this precious life as a whole.

“The angel of death can teach us to live every day as if it's the last day of our lives, as if there may be no tomorrow” - The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz