A Week to Remember

So, I have to tell you; between Andrew Cuomo, the states of Florida and Texas, people reluctant to sign up for life saving vaccine during a viral pandemic, Larry freakin Elder as possible governor, my golf swing, surgical gowns that could keep Packer fans warm in a blizzard and our sporadically operational A/C, it’s a good thing I’m an eternal optimist.

And it could be the USC Trojan Football thing. With the same Head Coach, the 2021 season is weeks away and I already can’t wait for next year.

Last weekend started with me Zooming out with smart high school students who’re way too young to be Millennials. And I don’t mean to be judgmental, but it was refreshing communicating with young peeps who’re enthusiastic, have a sense of humor, and won’t confess to universal knowledge of everything.

I’ve been the dentist guy for Impactful Internships since its inception back in spring of 2019. Founder David Rayudu always shares that he searched far and wide on social media and read my books and columns in making the selection. Then, one day, as I was pulling out of our parking lot, I had to stop to let Rayudu pass by on his way to pick up his car from a local mechanic just down the street. But it’s okay, I minored in Selective Memory at Cal State, LA.

Over Saturday and Sunday, I was privileged to share four 90-minute sessions with youngsters who’ll most likely become the researchers and healthcare providers of tomorrow. The engagement, as always, generated instant energy and it was exciting seeing mid-teens benefitting from guidance and mentoring undiscovered by me during my first 20-years of private practice.

When Monday came, I was speaking faster and louder and I think my comic timing was close to next level (when I’m energized, sometimes I’m also prone to delusions of grandeur.) So, I share daily quotes at our morning huddle, as well as with close to 3,000 North American dentists online. I started the week with Einstein’s, “Having fun is the best way to learn.” And there’s yet to be an Impactful Internship experience that’s fallen short of fun and a breakthrough…for me.

Next day, my Invisalign mentor Dr. David Galler (the leading GP clear aligner educator on the globe and he also does stand-up) introduced his own algorithm for effective, predictable Invisalign results and it looks like, as of Monday, my days of international dealings with technicians are over. Some of my creativity will be lost in the shuffle and I’ll miss the sympathy coming from female Costa Rican DDS-types who were always so helpful. But lo, a small price paid for one great step forward in serving patients.

The middle of the week literally brought a new day, National Align Your Teeth Day. 6-months earlier, a super-smart, indefatigable dentist/lawyer from Puerto Rico set the ball in motion and got the deed done-on…Galler’s B-day no less.

We managed to provide 18 Invisalign consults in one day and now there will be a significant addition to people we know walking around with healthy, lasting beaming SoCal smiles. My Team was magnificent.

Thursday was amazing. We experienced a full schedule and 8-hours so relaxing it felt like Funday, not Thursday. And thanks to amazing contractor Jason, the A/C returned and stayed for the day.

Friday, I played golf. And I guess positive stuff doesn’t last forever. But Monday’s right around the corner. It was a week to remember.