PHILADELPHIA - A key part of a Division I athlete's chemistry is to make something positive out of something negative. But last year, when Emma Cullen (SAS '20) misjudged her grab on the bars and knocked out her front teeth, it took an extra measure of optimism to put a positive spin on the experience. Fast forward a year (and numerous trips to Penn Dental) and Emma was impressed by her treatment enough to consider a career in dentistry: "My experience at Penn Dental was really positive and inspiring."

Emma participates in the Penn Athlete Mentor Program, which matches current athletes with alumni from their sport who work in the athlete's field of interest. "The problem for Emma was that we could not find a former gymnast who is a dentist," explains John Ceralde, head gymnastics coach.

Not to worry. The network created by the Mentor Program extends across all Penn sports. Through contacts in the program, Cullen and Coach Ceralde were put in touch with Dr. Ken Fetter, a Penn baseball alum with a dental practice in the Philadelphia suburbs.

The shared Penn sport experience made for an easy connection. "We started off with emails and phone calls, then met in person. I was able to go in and shadow at his office for several days, which allowed me to watch procedures and talk with patients," said Cullen.

"You can spend time talking about career choices," offers Dr. Fetter, "but I think observing the hands-on aspect of dentistry is much more impressionable." The experience made a real impact. Cullen declared Biology as her major and plans to continue to shadow Dr. Fetter and follow up on connections that may prove helpful in the dental school application process.

Dr. Fetter has also enjoyed the mentoring experience. "Emma has indicated her enthusiasm to spend more time in my office." Since Cullen has two more years at Penn, he looks forward to watching her compete on campus.

And while she certainly didn't enjoy the accident, Cullen clearly has made something positive out of it—a potential career in dentistry.