Defining gratefulness
Students, alumni and faculty sound off on what gratefulness means to them.
Fady Barsoum, Class of 2021
Being grateful to me means having true gratitude for what is offered to me in times of need, or unexpectedly. I can appreciate when someone offers a helping hand, but I can also be grateful for the things I take for granted, such as food, and a place to sleep at night.
Rachel Filice, 1T8
Gratefulness is a way to reflect and show appreciation for the good in our lives. Gratitude allows me to gain some perspective in the business of daily life. I am grateful every day for my loving family, friends, and dental career.
Assistant professor Siew-Ging Gong
Gratefulness to me means being appreciative, thankful and conscious of all the good and wonderful things in my life — the love and support of my husband and three children, good health, good friendships, intellectual and mental stimulation from colleagues and students and a career that I totally enjoy.
Peter Model, 6T9
Gratefulness for me equates with appreciation. The respect and values owed to the many before me, who forged the path; opening doors and opportunities that helped shape my life.
Nicholas Tong, 1T4
For me, gratefulness is being thankful for the small things in life — a smile from a student, a helping hand when you need it, or a million other little things that show you that others care about you.
How has the Faculty of Dentistry impacted your life? Why are you grateful that U of T Dentistry / University of Toronto was a part of your life?
Fady Barsoum
I am grateful for all the relationships I have built at U of T Dentistry. The people I have met make me smile every time I step foot in the Faculty and have opened eyes to new and engaging experiences. During these troublesome times, I have been especially grateful to see and interact with faculty and students on the clinic floors and allows me to appreciate how important human interactions are to mental health.
Rachel Filice
I am very grateful to be a graduate of the UofT Dentistry program. Firstly, for the wonderful education and mentorship I received. And I am now able to translate this into helping my patients with their oral health. I am also grateful I was able to experience dental school with all my classmates, and I have made some amazing life-long friends along the way.
Siew Ging-Gong
My career journey, spanning three countries and two continents, has landed me at U of T Dentistry and I couldn’t be more grateful. Whether I am exploring the next research question, planning the next lesson or interacting with students, being part of the University of Toronto has provided me the opportunity and support to pursue my passion for research and teaching.
Peter Model
U of T has been a professional circle in my dental journey. Having graduated in 1969, with friendships that have endured 50 plus years and the ongoing collegiality from serving for so many years as a teacher at the Faculty, I cannot emphasize enough my appreciation and camaraderie towards U of T and towards the people who shared, and continue to partake, in this adventure. The opportunity to share in the education of future dentists has given me a feeling of immense gratification, especially as many of these new dentists have maintained a correspondence with me over the years.
Nicholas Tong
U of T impacted me in a big way because that is where I met my wife, who was a classmate of mine. I was also extremely fortunate to have had great classmates who now live all over the world. It gives us a great reason to travel!
How do you demonstrate gratefulness in your everyday life?
Fady Barsoum
The simplest way I show gratefulness is by spending time with the people around me and absorbing all they have to offer. By applying the lessons I learn, I show gratefulness to all my mentors for the investments they made in trying to make me the best dentist I can be. Nothing would make them happier than to see the fruit of their labour being reaped in front of their eyes.
Rachel Filice
I show my gratitude in everyday life with small acts of kindness — holding the door open for someone, smiling or saying hi to a passerby, or allowing an elderly person to pass me in the grocery store line.
Siew Ging-Gong
To the people around me (family, students, friends), I willingly give and share what I have – my time, effort and expertise. Through my work in the research labs, I seek to give back to the wider community by seeking answers on ways to improve oral health.
Peter Model
I am deeply cognizant of what Dentistry has brought to my life. Sitting at my cottage looking out on this autumn/Thanksgiving scene, I feel grateful for being able to enjoy this beauty that is our country, Canada! Balancing the awareness of what I have earned weighs equally with what I am able to give. Most powerfully, it is my time: time contributed to the enrichment of our community, time guiding the next generation of dental professionals, and time sharing my enthusiasm and energy towards the betterment of students, friends and family. Each area is of equal magnitude in honoring the profession that has afforded me the freedom to give so openly.
Nicholas Tong
I always make a point to say thank you whenever someone does something for me — a server in a restaurant, a dental assistant doing a great job, or a well-presented lecture.