Dental grad to follow in dad's
footsteps
by Cindy
AbolePublic Relations
American scholar and author William Arthur Ward comments about teachers in a manner that would serve as a compliment to anyone with a passion for teaching: “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”
Ward’s words distinctly describe College of Dental Medicine graduate Catherine Myrick, DMD, a former science teacher who was inspired to help others learn and follow their dreams of pursuing a career in science or health care.
Catherine Myrick
tries her dad's cap on during his 1974 graduation. Today, she will wear
her own.Today, Myrick, joins 51 fellow dental medicine graduates of the Class of 2006 who will receive their degrees. In a moment of deja vu, Myrick follows in the footsteps of her father, Ernest Myrick, DMD, who received his dental medicine degree 32 years ago as a member of the college’s fourth graduating class (1974). Today, the elder Myrick manages his own general dentistry practice in Clover, a town located about 19 miles southwest of Charlotte, N.C.
“It’s been a great experience,” said Myrick, “My classmates welcomed me and never made me feel old. The faculty was fantastic and were interested that we learn. They were willing to work with us in the lab and clinics.”
Myrick came to dentistry after teaching more than seven years in the classroom. A 1991 Clemson political science and accounting minor graduate, she was drawn to teaching more by fate than design. Myrick’s mother, a former teacher, nudged her only daughter towards the classroom that led her to her first job as a substitute high school chemistry teacher. She never realized that she would love it.
It wasn’t long before she began taking classes at nearby Winthrop University, where she worked towards a master’s in history and certifications in biology, chemistry and physics. In 1995, she was hired at Rock Hill’s Northwestern High School to teach biology. Myrick thrived as a teacher, educator and mentor to students seeking advice regarding careers in science, medicine and the health professions. She achieved the status of professional teaching excellence by earning national board certification in chemistry in 2002.
Despite her success in the classroom and growing praise from peers and the education community, Myrick focused ahead and looked to broader challenges involving science and health care. She considered her own interest to be dentistry, and consulted with her father. She then met with MUSC dental medicine advisors and later forged ahead to complete the necessary pre-requisites to apply. In 2002, she was admitted as a full-time dental medicine student.
For the first two years, Myrick was tested by the rigors of the dental school’s pre-clinical science curriculum, but later shined in her final clinical practice years. “It’s very hard to work from the other side of the desk,” Myrick said with a smile.
As a student in Ted McGill’s fixed prosthodontic clinic, Catherine excelled. “Like a teacher, Catherine was prepared, focused and always strived for excellence in her work. The patients loved her. They were always showing their appreciation in many ways,” said McGill.
She participated in multiple activities with students, and volunteered with Give Kids a Smile Day, Operation Smile, St. Matthews Dental Clinic in North Charleston and Charleston County Schools. In 2005, she won the MUSC Gives Back individual college award for her community service. She was elected as class secretary. Myrick also worked with fellow student and class president, Drew Chandler, in multiple class projects, including the design, coordination and sponsorship of a summer advanced gross anatomy continuing education course for dentists through the South Carolina Dental Association. Proceeds from the fund-raiser were used to donate to the school’s Ian Burns Memorial Scholarship Fund and Louisiana State University’s School of Dentistry.
“Catherine has been the real reason why activities associated with our class got done,” Chandler said. “She’s a dedicated, disciplined, multi-organizer in everything she attempts. She helped create and organize our class roster and provided the necessary updates and changes, plus she was very thoughtful making sure no one would be overlooked on their birthdays. She exudes leadership abilities.”
Teacher becomes fellow student to former students
In an ironic twist, Myrick the student, shared some of the same science classes with some of her former high school students, including 2006 College of Medicine graduates Ricky Shaw and Peter Netzler.
Third-year College of Graduate Studies student Kat Willett was a 2000 graduate of Northwestern High School and sat in two of Myrick’s biology and psychology classes. She, like other Northwestern alums was happy to see her familiar face in the classroom or around campus.
“I remember she had a different teaching style than other science teachers,” said Willett, who is conducting neuroscience research. “She emphasized the importance of science and its connection in everyday life that made learning fun and interesting. It’s wonderful that she’s achieving her dream. I’m happy she’s graduating from dental school, but also sad that she will no longer be teaching in the classroom.”
But once a teacher, always a student is Myrick’s mantra. She admits that sometimes the teacher within her can’t be contained. She knows that inner voice – the teacher—will instinctively seek to get things done. Perhaps she’ll consider a return to academia and teaching after practice life.
She’s excited about her next step, which is to partner with her father back home in Clover and operate the town’s only father-daughter general dentistry practice. It’s an inspiration that both have dreamed about for years.
Friday, May 19, 2006
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