Alumna Recognized for Humanitarian Service

After receiving her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Roseman University in 2019, Dr. Emily (Orth) Jones, provided dental care for underserved populations at the Community Health Association of Spokane for three years before enrolling in an integrated oral and maxillofacial surgery medical degree program at the University of Kentucky.

Due, in part, to her outstanding community service record, Dr. Jones received a scholarship from the National Health Service Corps at the end of her first year at Roseman. “Knowing I was going into public health,” she recalled, “I pushed myself clinically and academically.”

Over the next three years, Dr. Jones participated in an oral surgery honors program and served in various mentorship roles both on and off the clinic floor. “Roseman rewarded me for my strong work ethic,” she explained. “When trust, preparedness, and hard work were demonstrated, I was rewarded with intellectual conversations, difficult procedures, and complicated treatment plans.”

Of her time at the College of Dental Medicine, Dr. Jones recalled, “Roseman was an incredible place to go to dental school and prepared me well for my future career. I made lifetime friends and memories.”

After graduating in 2019, Dr. Jones accepted a three-year contract with the Community Health Association of Spokane in Washington state, to fulfill the terms of her National Health Service Corps scholarship. While in this role, Dr. Jones provided exodontia, carries control, and surgical services.

During her tenure at the federally qualified health center, Dr. Jones really shined. In addition to being awarded Employee of the Month twice (2020) and Employee of the Year (2021), she was chosen to mentor six annual general practice residents and provide specialized services in the clinic. She explained, “I was selected by the dental director as one of two dentists (out of 24 others in the organization) to complete emergency oral surgery procedures through the COVID-19 pandemic.”

And though Dr. Jones felt her work was meaningful, she wanted to do more. She explained, “I ultimately decided oral and maxillofacial surgery was my passion and applied [for residencies] during my last year of work with the National Health Service Corps.”

“I was very fortunate to obtain a good entrance exam score and competitively interviewed at programs across the country,” she recalled. “[I] submitted my rank list and happily matched at the University of Kentucky, [for] an integrated 6-year oral surgery/medical degree program.”

“I moved to Lexington in 2022 and have been enjoying every moment of the last three years.” She continued, “In residency, I have participated in facial trauma calls, sedations, operating room procedures, and am now completing coursework for my Doctor of Medicine.”

In addition to her schooling, Dr. Jones makes time to serve others whenever she can. “I have continued to volunteer and work with the underserved and have a part-time job providing exodontia services in rural Kentucky.”

She has also continued to lead in her community. “I love mentoring others and serve on several committees for rural health physicians, females in oral surgery, and undergraduate students interested in dentistry, rural healthcare, or surgical fields.”

In recognition of her important work, Dr. Jones has received both an Osteo Science Foundation scholarship and one of three humanitarian awards granted by the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunities I have had throughout dental school and residency. Roseman’s education, mentors, and curriculum were instrumental in developing me as a successful healthcare professional. Roseman taught me how to critically think, develop strong treatment plans, work with a team, and effectively treat a multitude of head and neck problems.” Dr. Jones concluded, “I attribute my current success to Roseman’s academic environment and mentors.”