Smiles for Every Patient

The goal of our organization is to promote greater inclusivity within the healthcare field by encouraging more patient-centered care for individuals of all backgrounds.

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Our Goal

Many people from underrepresented groups may require additional support within a medical setting to feel truly comfortable during their visit. Through community outreach events, volunteering opportunities, and service initiatives, we hope to build meaningful relationships with these diverse communities and gain a better understanding of the challenges these people may face in healthcare environments. By learning from these experiences and engaging directly with a wide range of people, we aim to carry these perspectives into our future healthcare careers and help create a more welcoming medical environment for all patients.

Meet The Board

Jay Thakral

Co-founder

I am a current Junior at the University of Detroit Mercy pursuing a career in dentistry. Through my experiences in clinical shadowing, I have seen how people can respond in a variety of different ways to the same interactions within a medical setting. This led me to co-found Smile for Every Patient in order to gain insight on the reasons behind the differences in response. I hope to use this information in the future to create a supportive atmosphere within my profession where every patient feels truly understood.

Zachary Bailey

Co-founder

Hi! My name is Zach Bailey, and I am about to begin my third year studying biology at the University of Detroit Mercy. Dentistry has always been a passion of mine. I try to incorporate it into my everyday life, always asking myself what I can do to make a meaningful contribution to the field. This is what prompted me to co-found Smiles for Every Patient. During my time shadowing and working at various dental facilities, it quickly became apparent that many underrepresented groups do not receive the accommodations they require in health care settings. That is why I aimed to create an organization with the goal of addressing these injustices and producing a new generation of health care workers with the ability to provide a smile to every patient.

Deena Surti

Social Media Manager

I am currently a sophomore at the University of Detroit Mercy. My passion for serving society emerged through volunteer work and exposure in the clinical field, where I realized that sometimes patients get ignored or feel alienated within the health care environment. Through these incidents, I learned that medical care does not only involve treatment but also making patients feel recognized and heard, especially those who belong to minority populations. I am thrilled to be a part of Smiles for Patients since the organization emphasizes patient-centric care and community engagement with a wide range of diversity.

Eshal Shamsi

Event Coordinator

I am currently a sophomore at the University of Detroit Mercy. Through this organization, I hope to make a real impact on individuals' lives, whether that is through food delivery for seniors or volunteering at schools in the Metro-Detroit area. I am looking forward to an amazing year with Smiles for Every Patient.

Noel Renu

Website Manager

How to Help

Join Us

If you're interested in getting more involved, we encourage you to join us by filling out our member interest form. This is a great way to stay connected and learn about our upcoming events. Members will have the opportunity to participate in outreach initiatives and be constantly updated on when our next seminars will be. By filling out this small form, you are taking an active step toward creating a more inclusive future!

Member Interest Form

Participate in Our Seminars!

We welcome members of the general public to join our seminars, where we share insights gained from our outreach and service experiences. These sessions are designed to be inclusive, allowing anyone to join and allowing attendees not only to learn but also to give their own perspectives. Please contact us to contribute your perspectives to our seminars. By participating, you are actively helping our mission of creating a more inclusive healthcare system!

Help Us Build Stronger Ties in the Community

Introduce us to local organizations that may benefit from or collaborate with our mission. Expanding our network allows us to reach more people and create greater impact. In addition, we welcome guest speakers from these local organizations to join our seminars and share their knowledge. Hearing from individuals with different backgrounds enriches our discussions and helps us better understand the needs of those we aim to serve.