Prioritize End Goals: Dr. DiDonato's Guidance for Residents' Success Planning
Article Title: Dr. Joseph DiDonato: A Unique Dental Educator in Rochester
In the heart of Rochester, New York, a unique figure stands out among dental educators – Dr. Joseph DiDonato, DDS, MBA. Known affectionately by his residents as 'Coach,' Dr. DiDonato's teaching style is challenging, critical, and thorough, fostering an environment that encourages self-discovery and independent learning.
A graduate of New York University Langone Health School of Dentistry and Eastman's General Practice Residency (GPR) program, Dr. DiDonato began his career in dentistry in 1982. His passion for teaching, however, did not start immediately. Before finding his calling in dentistry, Dr. DiDonato considered several other career paths.
Dr. DiDonato's approach to teaching is marked by his innovative methods. He encourages residents to think about potential complications and handle them effectively, a skill he reinforces through thought-provoking exercises. One such exercise is writing 9,600 on the board to represent a 40-year career in dentistry, challenging residents to consider the long-term implications of their decisions.
Dr. Samuel Chen, a GPR resident, praises Dr. DiDonato's teaching style, noting its impact on his professional growth. "His teaching is challenging, critical, and thorough," Chen says, "It pushes me to think deeply about my patients and the care I provide."
Besides dentistry, Dr. DiDonato has a wide range of hobbies. He enjoys renovating his home, playing with his French Bulldogs, reading scientists' biographies, woodworking, and fossil hunting. His love for science extends to his fascination with random facts, such as the first weighing of an electron or the early calculation of the earth's weight and the speed of light.
Dr. DiDonato's teaching methods are not limited to the dental operatory. He teaches residents cockpit resource management, a tool used to train pilots, and relates it to the operatory to encourage teamwork and efficient patient care. However, despite his extensive experience and unique teaching methods, specific information about his approach in dental residency programs is scarce.
Dr. DiDonato is sympathetic to the amount of information young residents have to learn and aims to make their experience as painless as possible. One way he achieves this is by having the residents write their own obituary, a thought-provoking exercise that encourages them to consider their career goals and the legacy they want to leave.
Dr. DiDonato's legacy, as outlined in his self-written obituary several years ago, is all about patient care and teaching. He enjoys his Fridays and interacting with the residents, feeling that it is a privilege at this stage of his career. His presence in the clinic, according to Dr. Sangeeta Gajendra, professor and clinical chief, significantly increases residents' confidence.
In most countries, any fossils found belong to the country, and Dr. DiDonato cannot keep them. Despite this, he has been on numerous fossil expeditions to countries like Morocco, Turkey, Eastern Europe, Brazil, and China.
In a world where education often leans towards rote learning, Dr. Joseph DiDonato stands out as a beacon of innovative teaching. His approach, while unique, is rooted in the belief that the benefits of teaching go both ways, as he often learns things from the residents. His dedication to his craft, his love for learning, and his commitment to his students make him an inspiring figure in the field of dental education.
- Dr. DiDonato's educational interests extend beyond dentistry, encompassing topics such as science, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth, as evidenced by his fascination with scientists' biographies, woodworking, and random facts.
- In addition to dentistry and home-and-garden activities like renovating his home, Dr. DiDonato also indulges in lifestyle hobbies like fossil hunting and playing with his French Bulldogs.
- Dr. DiDonato's innovative teaching methods, including the use of cockpit resource management and thought-provoking exercises like writing an obituary, aim to promote community health, learning, and patient care by encouraging independent thinking, teamwork, and long-term planning.
- Dr. DiDonato's legacy in dental education is centered on patient care and teaching, demonstrating his commitment to fostering a learning environment that supports the personal and professional growth of his students.
