My journey to dentistry started when I was 5 years old. My Family was moving from Utah to California so my father could attend law school in San Francisco and my mother had her hands full with me and my younger sister as a stay-at-home parent. I had a few dental cavities that we wanted to take care of before our move but the dentist accidentally drilled into the pulp of my tooth causing it to abscess. We could not afford to see a private dentist but luckily there was a Native American Health Center with a dental clinic near our home. Residents from the University of California San Francisco Dental School completed some of their training there and I was matched with a dentist named Dr.Brown. She is my inspiration for wanting to become a dentist. I needed multiple visits over many months to get my teeth back into shape, and she was with me every step of the way. I developed a trust with Dr. Brown. She would take the time to talk to me and explain the work that needed to be done during that visit and made sure I was comfortable with the procedures. I loved going to the dentist because I knew she would take care of me. Her kindness and positivity inspired me to help people the same way she helped me.
I soon found out that becoming a dentist like Dr. Brown is no easy task. I have faced my fair share of challenges and failures in my journey so far but I have never let it get in the way of my ambitions. When faced with these setbacks I learned that I could handle it one of two ways. I could either keep myself down with negativity or I could give myself hope and remember that even when things do not go my way I can always keep moving forward. This inner strength is fueled by many things in my life but my identity as a member of the Navajo Nation is where I draw a lot of my inspiration.
My full name is Nizhoni Dawn Porter, my first name is a Navajo word that means beautiful. Automatically many people think about physical beauty but it is much more than that. Beauty in Navajo represents harmony and well-being. Many of the traditional beliefs and customs come from the idea of being in balance within yourself and within your environment. Taking care of yourself emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally is all part of achieving this goal. This can often be a nebulous concept and it is hard to know where to begin. For me, it starts with the jewelry and clothes I wear. My great-grandmother was a silversmith and created beautiful jewelry that she would sell to take care of her family and she never left the house without a broach or a necklace. The jewelry I receive from my family is a physical representation of their love and support. Turquoise is a popular stone used in traditional jewelry that represents protection. My jewelry reminds me to be kind to myself and avoid negative thoughts and self-doubt. My grandmother is an amazing sewer and crocheter, creating beautiful traditional outfits. Her designs give me confidence in my abilities and remind me of the strength and resilience of my tribe. The dawn is a sacred time for prayer and reflection for the Navajo people, it is when the holy spirits and ancestors are present. My middle name reminds me of the connection I have to my ancestors and encourages me to try and make positive connections with people every day.
The simple action of putting on jewelry and wearing something my grandmother has made keeps me grounded when I face adversities. Keeping these things as an active part of my life brings me harmony and allows me to be the best version of myself. I still have a long way to go in my dental journey but I have confidence in my ability to accomplish my goals and help others. I plan to go back to the Navajo Nation and inspire others with my work and hope I can give the future generations of my tribe some of the strength it has given me.
- Nizhoni is currently a pre-dental student and Research Assistant at the School of Dentistry