How did this group climb to the top in members and CE courses?
Since it sprang to life in 2013, San Antonio’s New Dentist Study Club or the San Antonio Fellowship Exchange group, affectionately known to local members as S.A.F.E., succeeds thanks to strong friendships, cost-effective offerings, and an element of playfulness. With various fellowship events coming up this March, it is a magnet for motivated dentists!
First, they create a sense of community.
Club organizer Dr. Akshay Thusu explains, “A key ingredient to our success is to create a group
with
fellowship. We’re not just members of the study club, we are friends!”
The meaningful friendships created in the group help the organizers solicit unfiltered responses to their program to develop a strong, popular curriculum that has resulted in annual growth.
They keep CE costs to a minimum
with strong support from the SA AGD board and sponsors. “The most important component to our success is the amazing speakers who have all waived their honorarium fees and spend time with us for free because they share our vision. All these have led to our continuous growth and helped us have our first of many future hands-on participation CE!”
They plan the courses 6 months in advance
, with the help of Drs. James Bone, Sarah Percy Tovar and Alejandro Cavasos, along with some USAF peers. Besides the fellowship exam reviews, this year they are offering 9 lectures worth 3 credit hours each. Additionally, there is one 3-hour case presentation where members present and exchange ideas on various topics. The case presentations also act as a dress rehearsal for their members for when they take the
MasterTrack
course and have to do case presentations.
Above all, the group knows how to let loose and have fun!
"We have a mid-year social in May for all our members and sponsors to interact and celebrate their commitment to lifelong learning. At the social we recognize members with a present of a Sombrillas to those who have taken and passed the AGD Fellowship Exam as well as honorary Sombrillas to those who have been vital in making our members successful behind the scenes. In December, we have our annual SAFE night at the San Antonio Rampage Ice hockey game. Members have a suite with food and drinks to celebrate another successful year."
START A FELLOWSHIP REVIEW COURSE IN YOUR AREA
The San Antonio Fellowship Exchange (S.A.F.E.) is a new dentist study club uniquely and specifically designed to help new dentists in their professional growth through cutting-edge CE opportunities to build dental, professional, and leadership skills, and the development of camaraderie. The group helps to prepare dentists for the AGD Fellowship Exam and facilitate advancement toward the AGD Fellowship Award. This study club continues to grow each year. They currently have over 30 members involved! Have questions for these dynamic or
ganizers? Visit their
Facebook page
and get in touch!
