Meet Dr. Sabrina Magid-Katz. She is taking the dentistry world by storm and is one of the top movers and shakers in the dental field. Most importantly, she is an inspiration to any aspiring doctor or dentist looking to start their own practice or go into the field. We sat down with Dr. Magid Katz to get her top tips for all the business-minded collegiettes out there!
Many HerCampus.com readers are looking to go into a family business. What is your best piece of advice to them?
Hold yourself to the same standards and level of practice while paving your own way rather than trying to fill someone else’s shoes. Pave your own niche within the practice. I became a founding member of the American Academy of Oral Systemic Health. I created a system within our practice to treat deaf and hard-of-hearing patients, and spread awareness for the limitations of access and care that deaf patients face in the dental field.
Did you always know you wanted to become a Doctor?
It seems I’ve always wanted to be a doctor. In fact, when I graduated from dental school and the class was putting together a collection of baby photos, mine was a photo of when I was three years old listening to the heart of my cabbage patch doll with my toy stethoscope. There were times that I briefly considered other professions, but in the end I always came back to the health care field and my passion for being a doctor. As for specifically choosing the dental field, I am actually the fourth generation of dentists in my family. You would think it would be an obvious choice, but I had to come to my own conclusion, independent of the family precedent. In fact, growing up I never showed any interest in dentistry.I guess you could say it’s in my blood, and as the quote by Aristotle says, “Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, therein lies your vocation.” I loved working with children as well as adults and as I looked at my father’s practice, which has been in Harrison for over 40 years, I realized that he treats three and four generations of the same family. I wanted to make them healthy, allay their fears, and make people smile. I decided that I liked working with my hands and coming up with innovative and creative ways to solve a problem (in dental school they called me “The Dental MacGyver”). It has been wonderful working with my dad and treating the generations of patients with generations of our own family.
What do you think are the most crucial character traits of a successful businesswoman?
I’d like to think women have the capacity to be strong yet gentle, and a successful businesswoman would utilize these traits to her advantage. I also find that a successful businesswoman is persistent and never gives up. She is competitive with herself, always trying to raise the bar for herself. That said, I believe that any businesswoman also needs to carefully consider her definition of success.
What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date?
I could say that I’m proud of my academic achievements and such, but what I’m most proud of is what one might call the little things. It’s when a parent tells me that her previously dental-phobic child is now playing dentist at home and can’t wait to come back. It’s when a patient that I have caught and treated for sleep apnea tells me he has renewed energy and a new lease on life, and I know that he may have a longer, healthier life span because his apnea is being treated. Or when a patient with new veneers says she can finally stop hiding her smile. It’s when a deaf patient tells me he finally feels like he is part of his own dental care and has found a new dental home. These are the moments that remind me how much of an impact I can have and make me proud of my profession and practice.
If you could give a young aspiring businesswoman one piece of advice, what would it be?
It is important to find your voice, find your style, and find your niche. Discover what drives you and what you’re good at. Be unusual in some way and share with others what differentiates you.
If you could tell your younger self three life lessons, what would they be?
There are moments that make all of the hard work worth it… And until you get there, as Camus said, “The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” Stay in touch with people that you’ve met along the way. You never know how that relationship might change your perspective or help you grow. Sometimes adversity can be the best teacher.
What are you most proud of?
I could say that I’m proud of my academic achievements and such, but what I’m most proud of is what one might call the little things. It’s when a parent tells me that her previously dental-phobic child is now playing dentist at home and can’t wait to come back. It’s when a patient that I have caught and treated for sleep apnea tells me he has renewed energy and a new lease on life, and I know that he may have a longer, healthier life span because his apnea is being treated. Or when a patient with new veneers says she can finally stop hiding her smile. It’s when a deaf patient tells me he finally feels like he is part of his own dental care and has found a new dental home. These are the moments that remind me how much of an impact I can have and make me proud of my profession and practice.
Special thanks to Dr. Magid-Katz – an inspiration to all of us independent, hard-working QU collegiettes!