06 February 2025

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Bright futures ahead: The Class of 2025 makes post-grad plans

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With graduation on the horizon, the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) Class of 2025 celebrated an exciting milestone after learning about matches to specialty programs across the country. 

Class of 2025 graduates will pursue post-doctoral specialty programs in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Periodontology, Orthodontics, Prosthodontics, Pediatrics, Endodontics, Advanced Education in General Dentistry, and General Practice Residencies. Other students will go on to private practice and into military service. 

The graduates’ plans will take them to programs spanning from Massachusetts to California, and from Ohio to Texas. 

Betssy Rodriguez Ramos, DMD25, will be pursuing pediatric dentistry at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center after graduation. Growing up in Honduras, she saw firsthand how the lack of access to healthcare and education had long-term consequences, particularly for children in underserved communities.

“Pediatric dentistry will allow me to be a voice for those who may not always be able to speak up for themselves and to make a meaningful, lasting impact on the health of the next generation,” Rodriguez Ramos said. “My ultimate goal is to be a well-rounded pediatric dentist who provides comprehensive, compassionate, and inclusive care to children with all types of needs.”

At HSDM, she served as co-president of the Student Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. The role allowed Rodriguez Ramos to participate in meaningful initiatives that directly impact the community, such as Give Kids A Smile. She also served as vice president of the Hispanic Student Dental Association at HSDM.

“One of our projects was organizing a Spanish course for our classmates, allowing them to better communicate with Spanish-speaking patients and provide more inclusive, patient-centered care,” said Rodriguez Ramos. 

Future oral and maxillofacial surgeon Andrew Ludwig, DMD25, will stay in Boston and attend Boston University’s OMFS program at Boston Medical Center. 

“Being at HSDM has led to countless opportunities beyond just being trained clinically,” said Ludwig. “I don’t think I would have gotten the same professional opportunities outside of my clinical training as well as the opportunity to be part of such a great community if it weren’t for HSDM.”

Ludwig was involved in HSDM’s chapter of the American Student Dental Association, and served as co-founder of the Bird Watching Club, and co-leader of the Oral Surgery Journal Club. 

Deepak Suri, DMD25, will also pursue oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) after graduation at the Mount Sinai Jacobi Einstein College of Medicine in New York. While at HSDM, Suri was involved with the HSDM Action for Children and Teens in Oral Health Need (ACTION) program in Cambridge, the Oral Surgery Journal Club, and the Global Health Starter Kit providing resources and educational materials for dental students interested in global health.

“I want to pursue OMFS after graduation because I aspire to improve my knowledge of oral and systemic health and to take care of patients with complex problems,” he said. “I hope to pursue a craniofacial fellowship and participate in global health organizations to understand and treat kids with craniofacial difference.”

As the graduates snapped photos with each other and held up signs displaying the programs they are going into, they reflected on the memories and achievements that defined their four years at HSDM.

“HSDM has given me so much—mentors who have guided and inspired me, friends who have become family, and patients who have taught me invaluable lessons,” Rodriguez Ramos said. 

Source: https://www.hsdm.harvard.edu/