Ryan Kerley
Last summer, Dr. Jeff Kendrick, a dentist, received a call from a woman with a toothache.
Appointments were difficult to come by because of safety protocols dentist offices followed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Kendrick agreed to see the woman, and her toothache turned out to be an abscess that was causing severe pain. Dr. Kendrick treated the woman and relieved her from pain. The entire procedure was witnessed by his daughter, Susannah, who was tagging along to assist.
Susannah Kendrick, a second-year biology major at the University of Georgia, was on the pre-med track. Seeing a person in need obtain dental help shifted her plans.
“This case was just, it really opened my eyes to the opportunity to where I could help somebody out when they are actually in pain,” said Kendrick.
Kendrick’s new aspiration is to become a dentist like her father. She works as an assistant at Heritage Dental Associates in her hometown, Fayetteville, Georgia. She also shadows Dr. Billy Goldman at his dental office in Athens. Dr. Goldman is an old friend of Dr. Kendrick from when they attended dental school together. According to Kendrick, her father is excited for her new career endeavors.
Dr. Goldman thinks that Kendrick has the “genes” for dentistry because of her father.
“She also makes patients feel at ease,” said Dr. Goldman. “I’ll give anesthetic and leave the room to go do some other stuff, and then when I come back, they’re chatting with Susannah like they’re her aunt.”
He believes that her calming nature and ability to connect with others will take her far in the dental industry.
Despite Kendrick’s career path taking a slight turn, her goals and intentions did not change: Kendrick wants to help people. She is passionate about keeping people safe and healthy. Her face lit up everytime the idea was mentioned. Her eyes, one blue and the other brown, embodied her passion as they were met with wrinkles in the corner from her smile.
Keeping people safe became more difficult in the midst of a virus that has taken the lives of over 500,000 in the United States and millions throughout the world.
As someone who volunteers in healthcare, Kendrick was eligible to receive the vaccine before most. An advocate for the vaccine, she wanted to get the shot, but she did not immediately sign up.
“My grandparents were having trouble getting appointments, and I was like, ‘I’m not going to take that spot from them,’” said Kendrick.
Ironically, she believed she was helping others by waiting to get the vaccine. She thought it was unfair that her grandparents, who were at much higher risk than her, received their first shot after she did. If her relatives had difficulty scheduling an appointment, that meant that other people in need likely faced the same issue.
Kendrick instead waited until her grandparents received their first shot, and by that time people who live in “congregate housing facilities” became eligible to receive the vaccine.
Kendrick lives in the Alpha Chi Omega sorority house on UGA’s campus, a building that is home to around 75 members. Living in a sorority house was an opportunity for her to set an example for her fellow sorority members.
She preaches wearing a mask around the house. Kendrick even wears a mask if she’s just taking a short walk from her bedroom to the bathroom.
One of her hallmates, Katherine Lewis, notices the demeanor and attitude that Kendrick displays in the house. In regards to keeping people safe, she thinks Kendrick is only helpful.
“I feel like Susannah is definitely one of those people who is trying to set a good example and let people know that, despite the vaccine being out, that not everyone has it, and it’s still important that we are protecting each other in any way that we can,” said Lewis.
Lewis acknowledged that Kendrick also advocates that her fellow sorority members sign up for the vaccine. Kendrick, who has now received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine herself, continues to be a voice of safety and concern, while also leading by taking action.
“It’s my responsibility as someone who wants to be in healthcare to set the example and help others, because by getting the vaccine, you’re helping others,” said Kendrick. “You might not be protecting yourself, but you’re protecting someone else.”
Ryan Kerley 