Becoming Dr FRU - Journey to DDS/MPH
(Doctor of Dental Sugery/Master of Public Health)
“When a dream is big enough, the odds don’t matter.”
Dexter Yager
“Dreams without goals are just dreams, and ultimately, they fuel disappointment.”
Denzel Washington
The power of a little boy’s dream.
A dream so audacious and utterly unattainable by many standards.
A dream born from the desire to make my parents and family proud.
I would later come to realize the drive that kept me going was deeper than anything I would ever imagine.
Denzel Washington put it best when he said “Dreams without goals are just dreams, and ultimately, they fuel disappointment”.
On the road to achieving your dreams you must apply discipline but more importantly, consistency; because without commitment you’ll never start, but without consistency, you’ll never finish.
My father was literally the hardest-working and most selfless person I knew. Unfortunately, he passed away when I was just seven years old. Talk about a wakeup call!
The man I looked up to for everything, my hero, was gone but not before he contaminated me with his pristine work ethic and mindset for winning.
With the help of God Almighty, my amazing mother and family, I pressed on, determined more than ever before to make a positive difference in the world by working to achieve my dream of becoming a DOCTOR and giving the gift of “care” to as many as I possibly can.
The ultimate dream always being to be able to walk in my father’s shoes!
Daddy did not get an education beyond the tenth grade but remains the smartest man I ever knew! Oxymoronic, I know!
The journey starts at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in July 2019.
For what it’s worth, dental school can be very overwhelming. Many have likened the experience of dental school to drinking water from a fire hose.
My reasons for getting on this journey served as “my rod and staff” to comfort me during the difficult and challenging days, and they were plenty!
By the end of my second year, I was among five students (out of 80) in my class to apply for and be accepted in the dual degree program (DDS/MPH).
Talk about taking on additional workload!
Hey – you never know how much you can handle until you push yourself harder, and besides, a Master of Public Health in Leadership and Public Health practice proved essential for my future professional aspirations (ask me for details if you are curious about this).
It was Ralph Waldo Emerson who once said “Do not go where the path may lead, but instead where there is no path and leave a trail”.
This has guided me throughout life and was what led me to consider starting a chapter of the Student National Dental Association at our school and serving as president for three years.
This was a very important project due to the lasting impact that an organization like this can have on the future of minority students and the community at large, as far as improving oral health disparities.
I also served as the Senator for my dental class for all four years of dental school.
These leadership opportunities helped me to grow as a person while also inspiring many others to lead.
Dental school did not have a shortage of tragedies as I lost several of my loved ones especially back home in Cameroon during the past four years, a situation that was further exacerbated by the fact that I was unable to attend the funeral and hence unable to properly grieve.
I remember both my grandmothers (Nana and Monica), my uncle Joseph, aunt Grace, aunt Doris, cousin Harriette, and nephew Thierry.
I also enjoyed many joys in dental school, the greatest by far being the birth of our beautiful daughter Skylar in July 2021. Our hearts cannot possibly imbibe all the love and delight Skylar has brought us. And to think that we will be welcoming our second baby a few weeks after this graduation gives us more joy than can be possibly expressed with words.
“Do not go where the path may lead, but instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
Sure feels like the past four years have been quite crazy and they have. But I’m happy to report that I did it…We did it! It indeed took a village to get to this moment. This would have never been possible without an amazing support system comprising of, but not limited to, my father (of blessed memory) who planted the seed that blossomed to what is now the essence of this celebration, my mother who “understood the assignment” and provided unmatched support and prayers, my dear wife who literally stood by me and supported me throughout this worthwhile journey, Dr. Emmanuel Happi (mboté) for whom words fail me as I attempt to describe the depth of my gratitude for his long-standing and ever-present support, my loudest and most unabashed cheerleader Jacksbond for believing in a little boy’s dream when only a few deemed it was possible, my dear friend Otito for staying true, all my siblings (Venceslas, Eugenie, Gisele, Astrine, Innocent and Anselme) for being gracious to me when I had to go MIA multiple times, sometimes for extended periods of time, my beloved in-laws for their continuous support, all my mentors (too many to name) who worked tirelessly to keep the dream alive and vibrant, and lastly my countless friends and family members for every prayer, and support – I know no other dentist as deeply indebted to his family and friends as I am to you all.
Lastly, all that I am and all that I hope to be, I owe to God Almighty.
And the story continues…
I wouldn’t dare ask for more blessings from God given all His goodness to me and my family, all these years. But He came through for me yet again. I decided to pursue a three-year specialization in Periodontics and matched into my top choice for Periodontics residency. Excited and honored to be taking my clinical skills to the West Los Angeles VA Healthcare System to join an amazing team where I will continue to grow clinically while serving the men and women who gave everything to ensure we enjoy the freedoms we have today.
In appreciation of all that I’ve received on this journey and to honor the memory of my father, I have decided to launch the Joseph Fru Audacity to Dream scholarship which will donate $1500 annually and provide mentorship to three students in Cameroon interested in advancing their education in health care professions (details to follow). The goal is to provide support to as many young people as possible to enable them to believe in themselves and know that whatever you commit yourself to do, is POSSIBLE if you do what you can, where you are, with what you have and never give up on your dream.
