Humans of TUSDM: Jeancarlos Ferman (D25)
“A lot of times in social media, politics, and the news, they portray the Hispanic and Latinx community as a monolithic culture when there are over 20 countries that encompass the culture and identity of what it means to be Hispanic and LatinX.
Coming into dental school, one thing that I wanted to further explore was my identity as a Hispanic individual. I went to NC State, which is a predominantly white institution, where less than 6% of the student body population was Hispanic. It was a really tight-knit community. After being a part of that community in undergrad, I wanted to experience a similar sense of connection at Tufts.
Once here, I became super involved in the Hispanic Student Dental Association (HSDA), furthering our mission and elevating our voices to ensure our community has equitable access to dental care. Through these experiences, I’ve been able to connect with other Hispanic and Latinx students. I’ve realized how deep our connection goes in terms of shared cultural experiences and all of our goals. I said previously that my undergrad was 6% Hispanic, but in the dental profession, I want to say it is around 6% Hispanic as well, which shows just how underrepresented we are in this field.
During the first week of Hispanic Heritage Month last year, HSDA hosted our inaugural HSDA Week, which is a week of programming that highlighted different attributes of who we are as a community and as an organization. We had over 60 members come out to support our events, whether it was a lunch & learn, general interest meeting, community service, or fitness activities. I would say that HSDA Week was a highlight for me being the President of HSDA.
Through HSDA, I’ve also realized how important it is to give back to support others as they pursue their dreams, as we are at a terminal point in our educational journey. Making it so that those come after me are able to see themselves in this field and not feel like they’re not well-supported or well-represented. It has made me see how essential it is to have mentors who understand your background and the challenges you face. This has only driven me to excel in dentistry and advocate for increased representation in the field.
There are many experiences that capture my cultural upbringing, but one that stands out to me is Nochebuena, which is Christmas Eve. Growing up, we would go to my aunt and uncle’s home, or they’d come over to our home, and on the 24th, we’d spend the entire evening celebrating Christmas together and being in each other’s company, dancing, laughing, and playing games. It was so nice to celebrate and instill community, joy, family, and being a tight-knit unit.
My advice for younger Hispanic or Latinx students is:
Be authentic. Embrace your heritage proudly. Be Hispanic proudly. You don’t have to change who you are. You don’t have to conform to what you think is professional because you may be too much, too vibrant, or too bold.
Dentistry is a space that needs more representation, more diverse voices. Your diverse perspectives and experiences will not only shape dentistry from a professional standpoint but also provide patients with a sense of comfort, knowing that their dentist looks like them, speaks the same language and shares similar cultural backgrounds.
You belong in this field just as anybody else does. Your presence is just as valuable, and you will inspire others who are following in your footsteps.”
A storytelling series through HumanKind @ TUSDM that highlights the students, faculty, staff, and alumni who make up our connected community. Each feature shares a glimpse into their personal journey, the lessons they’ve learned, and the “why” behind what they do.
If you are interested in sharing your story or being a part of the project, please fill out the form here!