What’s a teenager to do when her parents expect her to follow in the family’s footsteps, but down a path she does not want to take? “My family has a tradition of providing health care,” states Dr. Marjoorie Castro, “and my father wanted me to be a physician, but I hated the idea.” For Dr. Castro, the solution to this problem meant gathering more information about the work of her family members. The result has been a twenty-five year career in dentistry.
Following a Family Tradition of Health Care
“I decided to visit all of my health care family members, in order to know more about each area of medicine.” She found herself returning to the office of a certain cousin who happened to be a dentist. “The environment of her office was appealing. It was calm, cozy and comfortable there. Her treatment of patients was an inspiration. She was able to stop pain and create new smiles and confidence, changing lives with her dedicated work. I decided to study dentistry and I have never regretted it — not even once!”
Dr. Castro attended Pontifical Xavierian University in Bogota, Colombia. Established in 1623, the institution is one of the oldest in the Western Hemisphere. After earning her dental degree, Dr. Castro went on to study endodontics. Endodontists specialize in root canal procedures and repairing cracked or damaged teeth.