Celebrating International Women's Month | Valentina Leonett

March 16, 2023

By: Angela White

Valentina Leonett

Dentist

Q. How did you get into your healthcare field/What made you interested in it?

A: I grew up running dental offices. With both my parents being dentists, I spent most of my afternoons and Saturday mornings in the office with them. I used to play dentist with my dolls and always said I wanted to be a dentist. But, as I grew older, my parents encouraged me to explore other career options - they didn't want me choosing dentistry just because I was familiar with it. I spent my high school years researching different career paths and shadowing other healthcare professionals, but I always found myself coming back to dentistry. I wanted a career where I could build meaningful relationships with patients, work with my hands and still have time to spend with my family. Dentistry seemed to encompass everything I wanted, so I decided to go for it!

Q: What has been your biggest challenge to overcome?

A: I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela and moved to the United States at the short age of 17. Becoming a dentist in the U.S. is a challenging task on its own but doing it as an international student is even harder. My family was hundreds of miles away and I was navigating an unknown path all on my own. I faced several challenges along the way due to my lack of expertise in the area, but I also learned and grew significantly from it. I now use my knowledge in the area to mentor other international students on how to make it to and through dental school.

Q: Do you have any women mentors or women who have been an inspiration in your life? 

A: I have met amazing women throughout my life, and they have all inspired me in one way or another. But, without a doubt, my mom is my greatest inspiration. As I was growing up, I saw her as an amazing mom. She was always there for my brother and I, encouraging us to pursue our dreams. In dental school, I saw her as an amazing mentor. She would always be violable to give me feedback and help me through the stressors of being a student. Now, I see her as a superhero. I finally understand how hard she had to work to be where she is today and am amazed at how she managed to do it so effortlessly.

Q: How has being a woman impacted your career OR what does being a women in healthcare mean to you?

A: No matter what I was going through, my parents would always encourage me to believe in myself and my abilities. I am proud of what I have accomplished as a young, Hispanic female in the healthcare field. Now, more than ever, I believe that representation matters. Words cannot explain the joy I feel when patients share how happy they are to have a Hispanic female as their dentist... and it's even better when they joke about how I do it all in heels! I have met many wonderful women in healthcare, and I hope to serve as an inspiration for future generations.

Q: What advice would you give to other women who want to go into your field?

A: There are a lot of people that will tell you why you shouldn't do it... but there are also a lot of people that will tell you why you should! Listen to those who are where you want to be. Find people who want you to succeed and lean on them when things get tough... because they will. Being a healthcare professional is not easy, but it is doable and incredibly rewarding. Be brave enough to ask questions, work hard and, most importantly, believe in yourself. This is your life! You get to decide what success looks like for you.