EIOH Resident Spotlight - Drs. Onur Nacakgedigi & Rubem Araujo
Dr. Onur Nacakgedigi, from Gaziantep, Turkey, and Dr. Rubem Araujo, from Belém, Brazil, had no idea when they first arrived at EIOH that a special friendship was waiting for them.
“Rubem introduced himself to me during the orientation,” Onur recalled. “We immediately became friends; he has been my family ever since.”
As co-residents of the Community Dentistry Fellowship at School 17, their friendship grew. “We were both starting a new journey, and quickly learned that we share similar values, a collaborative mindset, and a passion for learning and helping others,” Rubem said.
Since completing their fellowships and beginning the AEGD Residency Program, the two continue to work together often, sharing responsibilities during daytime rotations and evening clinics. “These shared experiences have deepened our camaraderie,” Rubem added.
Onur shared that the connection extends outside of the program as well. “When we’re not working, we love spending time together with our families. We enjoy sharing meals, celebrating special occasions, and simply relaxing together.”
Onur and his wife Esma Nacakgedigi have a 9-year-old son. Rubem and his wife Stacy Pinheiro, who is currently an AEGD Urgent Care fellow, have two daughters ages 5 and 3, and are expecting a third child.
“Our families have become close friends, and our children love spending time together,” said Rubem.
Before deciding to attend EIOH, Onur spoke with residents, who encouraged him to come without hesitation.
“After spending one and a half years here, I can say I made one of the best decisions of my life,” Onur said. “I’ve gained hands-on experience with diverse cases, improved my clinical skills, and learned from expert faculty. It’s also been rewarding to serve the community and build relationships with patients.” He especially appreciates EIOH’s commitment to addressing the unique needs of underserved populations and the emphasis on community-based research with vulnerable groups, like refugees.
“I chose EIOH because of the respect, warmth, and professionalism I experienced during my interview” said Rubem. “Their welcoming approach and the institution’s reputation assured me that EIOH would provide an environment where I could grow academically and clinically. My residency has been an incredibly rewarding experience.”
Onur concluded what many have experienced before him. “It’s amazing how this institution creates both professional and lifelong personal connections.”
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