Marina Zoghbi

UConn School of Dental Medicine, Class of 2021

I was born and raised in Coventry, Connecticut. I graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health Sciences as an Honors Scholar.

During my educational career at UConn, I was a member of the Pre-dental Society and participated in Oral Health Presentations at local elementary schools. I became involved with Connecticut Mission of Mercy in 2014 and have since volunteered at five of their clinics. Mission of Mercy opened my eyes to the disparity in access to healthcare and has instilled in me a determination to help the underserved throughout my professional career.

Urban Service Track will allow me to meet individuals from different backgrounds and learn from them. It will provide me the opportunity to improve patient communication and cultural understanding. I hope to use these experiences to advocate for an egalitarian approach to healthcare.

Participating in Urban Service Track will also allow me to gain experience working inter-professionally. Inter-professional collaboration encourages professionals of different expertise to communicate a care plan that addresses all of the patient’s needs. This patient-centered approach increases quality of care and safety, while decreasing conflicting treatments and lowering costs.

I would be honored to volunteer with Urban Service Track. Everyone should have access to quality health care. Improving the health of the population as a whole provides the foundation upon which the community can grow and thrive.