Sandra Salazar-Mendoza, BS, RDH: Under One Roof Ambassador extraordinaire
Why was it important for you to share the UOR experience with your colleagues?
It was important to share my experience with my colleagues because this yearly conference inspires and rejuvenates my passion for my career. In 2011, I had the best experience as a first-timer attending by myself. I didn’t know what to expect—but it was Vegas! How could I not have fun?
Walking into the huge CE classes and then the exhibit hall looking for a seat to eat my lunch on the first day, it felt like I was totally alone and all eyes on me, like a kid in a new school. The first person to walk up to me was the one and only Debbie Garcia from Albuquerque, New Mexico. She invited me to sit with her and her posse. We talked about the conference. She asked how it was going for me and offered advice.
I came home so excited about how UOR caters to hygienists, unlike any other conference I had ever been to. How could I not share and invite my colleagues to join me? The following year, my daughter attended with me, and since then I have also brought a coworker and classmates.
This year, the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio class of 2004 celebrated our quinceañera (15-year reunion). What better way to celebrate than by getting some of my classmates to go? To top it off it was in our home state of Texas.
UOR is a unique experience and I invite fellow RDHs to meet me at UOR whenever I get the chance. I have met many hygienists from all over the United States and Canada. I see them yearly at UOR and we are even Facebook friends.
And, OMG, then there’s all the take-home swag given by our sponsors. The after-parties are always a good time to let our hair down after spending all day in the classroom!
So, if you have not had the opportunity to experience UOR, it is a must for all hygienists. I promise you will make lifelong friends, you will not be alone, and you will not be disappointed.
To learn more about the Ambassador program, visit rdhunderoneroof.com.
