Recognition, Resilience and What’s Next In her final year of dental school, Dr. Zhong received several prestigious awards, including the International College of Dentists (ICD) scholarship, the Dr. Malcolm Yasny Honour Award, the Zindart Award in the Comprehensive Care Program, and the Power of a Smile Challenge. These accolades celebrated her exceptional leadership, clinical and academic excellence, and unwavering commitment to service. “It was incredibly humbling,” she says. “Knowing that what I’m doing truly makes an impact gives me the confidence to continue serving with purpose.” She attributes her ability to juggle school, outreach, and life to her mother, who lives with Sjögren’s disease, an autoimmune condition leading to fatigue, dry eyes and xerostomia. “Watching my mom manage a chronic illness with such strength and grace taught me resilience. Even on her hardest days, she finds a way to care for others, and I strive to do the same.” Now, Dr. Zhong is looking forward to her next chapter: a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), which began in July 2025. “I chose UCLA not just for the professional growth—but for the personal challenge,” says Dr. Zhong. “I’ve lived in Ontario my whole life. This is a chance to step out of my comfort zone and discover more about myself as I continue serving others and doing what I love.” At UCLA, she’ll deepen her skills in treatment planning and complex prosthodontics. But her longDr. Zhong’s poster presentation at U of T Dentistry Research Day in 2025. term plan is clear: to return to the Greater Toronto Area and practise as a general dentist. “I look forward to using what I have learned to give back to the community that has supported me,” she says. Looking back, Dr. Zhong sees dentistry not just as a profession but as a calling. “Dentistry allowed me to have more than a career,” she says. “It gave me a way to use science and skill to build something meaningful— to help others, which is the greatest privilege.” To her, dentistry is where knowledge meets compassion, and every patient interaction becomes an opportunity to make a difference. “It’s the art of caring, and I cannot imagine doing anything else.” Dr. Zhong exploring the South Mountain Park and Preserve in Phoenix, Arizona. 27 Issue 4 | 2025 | Issues and People
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