After growing up in Fairbanks, Alaska, Ella Bailey answered a calling that made others smile: training to be a dentist. But after her mother received a breast cancer diagnosis, Bailey wanted to drop out.
When homelessness and poverty strike, dental care often becomes a distant priority, leading many to resort to desperate measures like pulling their own teeth. Anika Phuvasate and her fellow Oregon State University Pre-Dental Club members are changing that narrative by organizing free clinics that offer compassionate, judgment-free dental services. These efforts not only restore smiles but also dignity, proving that everyone deserves access to essential care.
Cody Fretwell, (BioHealth Sciences, '22) switched from biology to biohealth sciences for the pre-physician assistant option. Four years later, he is happy with his decision. “I’ve enjoyed a lot of the classes specific to my major, focusing more on the human aspects of biology.”
An increased interest in science and medicine is drawing a new generation of students to enroll in the OSU College of Science pre-med program, where they're gaining real work experiences and receiving strong preparation for medical school and beyond.
