Forging new paths
As Henry Exner, DDS ’27, begins his studies at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, he is forging new paths for his family—bolstered by the support that brought him here.
Though Exner grew up in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis, his journey began in Russia, from where he was adopted at a young age. “While I don’t remember my time in the country, I believe that this had a profound impact on my life experience and my life goals.”
“I am grateful for the opportunity that my birth parents gave me,” Exner reflected. “While I know it was a tremendous sacrifice, they did what they thought was best for me, and I am determined to make the most of it. I am surrounded by a loving and supportive family and friends, and I know that I can achieve anything I set my mind to.”
The gift of Exner’s birth and adoptive parents inspired him to help others throughout his life. That inspiration, combined with a fascination with the human body, drew him toward healthcare. “Growing up, I would find myself engaged in human anatomy books, trying to learn more about how the human body functioned,” he recalled.
Studying biochemistry as an undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota, Exner met friends who were interested in dentistry. The more he learned about the field, the more perfect it seemed for him. “The ability to work with your hands, provide immediate care to patients and perform a variety of different procedures checked off a lot of boxes for me,” he said. “Dentistry combines my love of science, ability to work with my hands and attention to detail. It excites me that dentistry is ever-changing and advancing, as I am constantly challenged to learn new ways of doing things.”
It is a good thing that Exner likes a challenge, because his next four years will certainly hold their fair share of them. Exner is the first in his family to pursue a doctoral-level degree. “This is daunting,” he reflected, “but I am confident that with the skills I have learned and will continue to learn, I can succeed. There will be challenges, but I am surrounded by a supportive community. I am excited to gain new perspectives and learn from the diversity of experiences in my program, and I am also eager to develop my leadership skills and learn how to work effectively in a team.”
Dentistry feels fairly new to Exner, so he looks forward to exploring the various options available to him and learning all he can about the profession. Though he does not yet know where the journey will take him, he looks forward to helping others in whatever way he can, inspiring his fellow learners and creating a legacy within his family.
Most of all, Exner is excited to learn and grow.
“I’m looking forward to learning as much as I possibly can about dentistry,” he said. “I want to be the best oral health care provider for my patients, so I’m going to use every opportunity that the U provides to help me achieve that goal. I’m also looking forward to meeting and getting to know everyone in my class; we are such a diverse group of individuals who come from so many different backgrounds!”