Student Profile: Dr. Safi Elmaraghy

Meet Dr. Safi Elmaraghy, who is enrolled in the JU Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences School of Orthodontics’ Advanced Specialty Education Program in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.

Please describe your educational background including your undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Originally from the French part of Canada, my education was fairly direct. After high school, I attended College in Natural Sciences for two years. (College in Quebec would be comparable to the last year of an American high school and first year of an undergraduate degree). After college, I was accepted into dental school in 2003, at the age of 18. At 22 years old, I had already completed my dental degree and was practicing dentistry in a private office. After five years of general dentistry, I decided to specialize in Orthodontics, which brought me first to the University of Florida for my internship, then to Jacksonville University for my two year residency and fellowship program.

Why did you choose the JU School of Orthodontics?

I chose JU because of the strong clinical exposure provided by the high number of patients being treated in the clinic. It is crucial for an orthodontic resident to be exposed to a wide array of malocclusions during residency because upon completion of the program, we are working in an environment that demands decisions to be made on our own.

What do you like best about the program?

The chemistry among residents, faculty and staff. This has made this experience enjoyable and for someone that is far from home, it has made a world of a difference. JU is a big family and this atmosphere brings out the best in me.

What made you choose to pursue a career in orthodontics?

After practicing general dentistry, I enjoyed what I was doing, but wanted to explore new avenues that pushed me beyond my current boundaries. I chose Orthodontics because it is one of the only medical specialties where you see your patients smiling from the beginning until the end of treatment. Working with children and teenagers is also very gratifying.

What do you hope to pursue after graduation?

My goal is to own and operate a successful orthodontic private practice while being affiliated part time with a hospital to provide orthodontic care to children with growth and development anomalies, such as cleft lip and palate or different syndromes. Later in my career, I would love to be able to transmit my knowledge through an academic position. Aside from my profession, I enjoy scuba diving, horseback riding, yoga, windsurfing, traveling and philanthropy.