Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency - Current Residents

Residents – PGY1	Brief Bio
Justin Cerrito, DDS Non-Categorical	Undergraduate: North Carolina State University Dental School: University of Maryland School of Dentistry Personal Interests: Sports, cooking, spending time outdoors, traveling, finding new ways to beat the Arizona heat Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: One aspect that stood out to me was the blend of excellent surgical experience with a residency environment that encourages camaraderie and collaboration amongst residents and attendings. One part of our training that appeals to me is the high volume of trauma cases that we get to treat. They expose the residents to a wide variety of complex surgeries. All of that combined with year-round sunshine and warm temperatures makes for a great overall residency experience.
Daniel Jameson, DMD Non-Categorical	Undergraduate: Loyola University Chicago Dental School: Tufts University School of Dental Medicine Personal Interests: Spending time with my fiancé and cats, photography, hunting, fishing, cooking, hiking, golf Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I’ve had ties to AZ since the early 2000’s; my father commuted frequently for work. I fell in love with the area over the years, and it is a welcome change of pace. I could tell through speaking to the residents and attendings while interviewing this program has a phenomenal culture with everyone having strong values. Every person was so welcoming and truly showed they were happy to be a part of this team. Hearing about the responsibilities and exposure each resident has demonstrated that this program clearly prepares surgeons well. From day one, I felt like I was trusted to make decisions and provide quality care, while knowing I have a support system at my disposal whenever I need it. On a weekly basis, you can expect patient exposure within the clinic, emergency department, trauma bay, inpatient rooms and operating room. Our resident team works so well together — I never feel isolated. I am learning at a pace I never thought possible, and I am so grateful for my time here thus far!
Seongnoh Lee, DDS	Undergraduate: University of Detroit Mercy Dental School: University of Detroit Mercy Personal Interests: Soccer, other outdoor activities Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: Coming from East Asia and living in the East coast for more than 10 years, I have always been in the east side. It was about time for me to explore the west. Too many places to explore in this small place we call Earth, yet life is too short. In my opinion, just like everything in life, residency is truly what you make of it. It doesn’t matter who you work with, there is always something to learn from. Even better when people around you are willing to teach. Arizona is the best place because we are all here for the same reason. Constant challenge to grow — not only as a surgeon, but also as a person. That is what I love about our program.
Lauren Lill, DDS	Undergraduate: UCLA Dental School: UCLA School of Dentistry Personal Interests: Outdoor activities like hiking and biking, reading books Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I lovedCollege of Medicine – Phoenix during my interview because I felt like the residents and attendings were very friendly and easy to talk to. Now that I have been working here, I appreciate how the program genuinely cares about the wellbeing of its residents. We are very busy and work hard every day, but fellow residents, attendings and staff are always there to lend a helping hand if needed. Teamwork and a supportive environment are a strong emphasis here! I have gained so much experience in all aspects of OMFS, and I am truly thankful that I matched with this program.
PGY2	Brief Bio
Tjiska Conrotto, DDS	Undergraduate: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo Dental School: New York University Personal Interests: Anything that involves sunshine and being outdoors! Also cooking, listening to music, and going to the gym. Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: The most important factor for me when deciding on a residency program was the interpersonal relationships between the residents, a supportive culture and a strong team dynamic. You’ll be working hard in whatever residency program you match into, but you might as well have fun while you’re at it! We have fabulous residents and attendings, great weather, plus tons of experience on trauma call and in the OR. I’m constantly surprised at how happy I am here, and how much I look forward to coming into work the next day, even as an intern. I am incredibly grateful I matched at this program and wouldn’t change my experience here for the world.
Jingqi (Kenny) Li, DDS	Undergraduate: Peking University Dental School: University of Nevada, Las Vegas Personal Interests: Hiking, swimming, traveling, visiting museums, as well as playing the piano and the oboe Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I chose Arizona and the UA College of Medicine – Phoenix, Banner Health specifically, due to its collaborative team culture, broad surgical scope and exciting opportunities. I love the OMFS team at Banner because everyone shares the same vision and is dedicated to the mission, which creates a friendly environment where each team member is there for others. Both attendings and residents are extremely resourceful and forthcoming. Meanwhile, when talking about the OMFS field, I am enthusiastic about complicated procedures and state-of-art techniques, and here in Banner, I have the opportunity to see it on a daily basis. If one loves the challenge of coming in every day and working on some of the most complicated procedures, Banner is the top choice!
PGY3	Brief Bio
Makenzie Fortney, DDS	Undergraduate: Hardin-Simmons University Dental School: Meharry Medical College Personal Interests: Spending time with my husband and dog, working out, eating out, traveling, scuba diving and dancing Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: The comprehensive training both in the clinic and hospital provide the opportunity to become a well-rounded oral and maxillofacial surgeon. The attendings are the most knowledgeable and passionate docs I've ever interacted with and truly care about the residents' well-being. The daily interactions between the residents and attendings make for an encouraging environment that is conducive to learning and growth. Last, but not least, the residents are hardworking, fun to be around and truly care about one another. The bonus of this program is that it's located in beautiful Phoenix, AZ which offers plenty of sunshine and outdoor activities.
Tyler King, DMD	Undergraduate: University of Nebraska- Lincoln Dental School: A.T. Still University Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health Personal Interests: Baseball, fantasy football, Nebraska Cornhuskers football, mountain hiking and golf Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: From the time I first visited this program for an externship, I felt the resident culture was one that encouraged learning and growth in being a doctor. Now that I am here training as a non-catigorical intern, I have enjoyed exposure to operating room cases involving maxillofacial trauma, TMJ pathology, infections, benign pathology, as well as improvement in hand skills completing bedside procedures in the trauma and emergency departments. Outside of residency, the Phoenix area has a lot to experience, including great restaurants, golf courses and mountain hiking. I’m also looking forward to the upcoming baseball Spring Training season.
PGY4	Brief Bio
Taylor Duckworth, DDS	Undergraduate: Brigham Young University Dental School: University of Maryland School of Dentistry Personal Interests: Spending time with my wife, kids and the Thinh man, travelling, snow skiing, water skiing, camping, classic rock and motown music, football, sports, movies, revolutionary war history and food Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: I chose Arizona for many reasons, but at the top of the list was the well-rounded experience and unique culture created by the attendings and the residents. Everyone, including those in the hospital, are happy to come to work every day and have a solid vision for what health care can become. UA becomes the feeder to many great Banner hospitals in the area extending our geographic influence. Also, Phoenix lays the groundwork for a broad exposure to the scope of oral surgery with a diverse and urban population that provides plenty of experience in trauma, TMJ surgery, dentoalveolar surgery, implantology, anesthesia and craniofacial work. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy 70 degree weather in January? With the facilities we work at and the people we interact with, it is all here to become one of the greatest programs in the country.
Kunal Patel, DMD	Undergraduate: University of Pittsburgh Dental School: University of Nevada Las Vegas Personal Interests: Cooking, camping/hiking, traveling, music, comedy and being a foodie Why Arizona and UArizona College of Medicine – Phoenix: Comprehensive training and resident culture are why I chose this program. Here, we see a large volume and wide variety of oral and maxillofacial surgery and take trauma calls 365 days a year. We have a great relationship with the hospital faculty and staff, who are very welcoming and supportive to their residents. The residents are all great to work with and are very driven to succeed together providing an excellent learning experience!

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