PFA- Books

One Man's Perspective on Excellence

I write this essay, in the early morning hours before the sun C4scasts its life-giving brilliance on the birth of a new day, my mind cannot help but reflect upon how each new life is begun as we take our first life-sustaining breath and are born into the world with our minds completely devoid of any preconceptions about what life has to offer. The mind is a clean slate upon which can be written an autobiography of a life of success or failure, integrity or compromise, happinessorgrief, excellence or mediocrity, contribution orselfishness. All of these aspects of one's life are conceived in our minds as a concept of how we shall live our lives; a seed of thought planted in our minds that grows into what we will eventually become in our journey through life itself.

We grow into young adulthood encountering numerous individuals who have tremendous influence upon how we will eventually perceive ourselves in our interpersonal relationships with our parents, siblings, peers and friends of all ages. Prior encounters, if they were positive in nature, contribute to the development of a positive self-concept, a sense of self-worth and confidence.

The manner in which each of us perceives ourselves has a tremendous influence on how we will function as professionals and how successfully we will be able to contribute to the well-being of our families and to the welfare of those individuals we are trained to serve.

Each one of us, during the course of our lives, determines what we consider to be success, integrity, happiness, excellence and contribution in order to make our lives fulfilled. Failure, grief, mediocrity and selfishness are the last considerations in the early stages of our careers. However, in a recent survey of over 1,095 practitioners after 10 years in practice, it was found that 42% stated that they were dissatisfied in their chosen profession and lead lives of failure and mediocrity. How can we avoid these tragic events of despair from occurring during our professional careers? Obviously the answers are not easy. Perhaps the seed of discontent was planted at the very outset of a person's career.

I have discovered that one's personal perspective of success, integrity and happiness cannot be measured and compared purely against another individual's accomplishments, but must be measured by standards which we establish for ourselves. Such standards are based upon concepts and ideals instilled in us by those who have provided the positive influence on our thought processes.

A deep commitment to excellence combined with a goal to achieve a standard of excellence is the essence from which all of the other positive aspects of one's life can be attained. Every individual needs to experience excellence in some area of accomplishment during their lifetime. If not, then each morning as they gaze into the mirror they will see only a reflection of mediocrity with the accompanying feeling of a loss of self-worth.

During the initial training of students in dental school, I would encourage that each student be given the opportunity to excel and to be recognized for their achievements early in their career. Feelings of confidence and self-worth can be elevated through participation in a positive teaching atmosphere. Excellence and integrity should be encouraged by emphasizing success. Each student should be allowed to discover his or her area of true expertise, for in this discovery lies the key to future success.

Excellence can be achieved through positive and constant learning experiences, not only through formal education but by association with individuals who are recognized for excellence in their chosen fields of endeavor. Friendships such as these encourage a person to strive for achievement at the highest level and contribute to the happiness of their lives. Excellence and its companion, success, breeds integrity; a quality that will carry us through the most trying times.

In candor, I have stated my personal view on excellence and I hope that it will stimulate productive thoughts by those who happen to read it. I have been very fortunate during my life to have been able to learn about excellence, success, integrity and contributions to society from those individuals, possessed of high intellect and compassion, who have also demonstrated their commitment to excellence in our profession and to the concurrent welfare of the world community. I sincerely hope that you will also be fortunate enough to have as an integral part of your life friends and family who care about you in your quest for excellence.

	[ order form ] [ cover image ] [ contents ] [ more books ]	DR. SHIGEO RYAN KISHI UNITED STATES Currently a clinical assistant professor of restorative dentistry in the department of fixed prosthodontics at the University of Southern California, Dr. Shigeo R. Kishi also maintains a private practice in Fountain Valley, California and lives in Huntington Beach with his wife Emily. Dr. Kishi was born on May 23,1943 in Amache, Colorado, which at that time was a relocation camp for Japanese-Americans during World War li. At the conclusion of the war, his family moved back to Southern California where he received his education in the public schools. He graduated from the University of Southern California, School of Dentistry in 1969. During his undergraduate years at U.S.C. he received a fellowship from the National Science foundation for cancer research. Since his graduation from dental school he has maintained a faculty relationship in various capacities with the School of Dentistry, most recently as co-director of the formation and development of the department of CAD/CAM in dentistry. His service to organized dentistry consists of being a member of the California Dental Association, Council on Scientific Sessions since 1988. He is now in his third year as chairman of the Southern California Section of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. A fellow of the Academy of Dentistry International, he has served as deputy executive director and more recently as secretary. Dr. Kishi has been president of various study groups, authored several articles in his area of exptertise and has lectured in the United States and in Japan. He is a member of numerous academies including the Academy for Excellence in Dentistry, the Newport Harbor Academy of Dentistry and the International Academy of Gnathology. He is a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, the Academy of Dentistry International, the International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists. He is a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honorary Dental Fraternity since 1969 and is a member of the Pierre Fauchard Academy.
	One Man's Perspective on Excellence I write this essay, in the early morning hours before the sun C4scasts its life-giving brilliance on the birth of a new day, my mind cannot help but reflect upon how each new life is begun as we take our first life-sustaining breath and are born into the world with our minds completely devoid of any preconceptions about what life has to offer. The mind is a clean slate upon which can be written an autobiography of a life of success or failure, integrity or compromise, happinessorgrief, excellence or mediocrity, contribution orselfishness. All of these aspects of one's life are conceived in our minds as a concept of how we shall live our lives; a seed of thought planted in our minds that grows into what we will eventually become in our journey through life itself. We grow into young adulthood encountering numerous individuals who have tremendous influence upon how we will eventually perceive ourselves in our interpersonal relationships with our parents, siblings, peers and friends of all ages. Prior encounters, if they were positive in nature, contribute to the development of a positive self-concept, a sense of self-worth and confidence. The manner in which each of us perceives ourselves has a tremendous influence on how we will function as professionals and how successfully we will be able to contribute to the well-being of our families and to the welfare of those individuals we are trained to serve. Each one of us, during the course of our lives, determines what we consider to be success, integrity, happiness, excellence and contribution in order to make our lives fulfilled. Failure, grief, mediocrity and selfishness are the last considerations in the early stages of our careers. However, in a recent survey of over 1,095 practitioners after 10 years in practice, it was found that 42% stated that they were dissatisfied in their chosen profession and lead lives of failure and mediocrity. How can we avoid these tragic events of despair from occurring during our professional careers? Obviously the answers are not easy. Perhaps the seed of discontent was planted at the very outset of a person's career. I have discovered that one's personal perspective of success, integrity and happiness cannot be measured and compared purely against another individual's accomplishments, but must be measured by standards which we establish for ourselves. Such standards are based upon concepts and ideals instilled in us by those who have provided the positive influence on our thought processes. A deep commitment to excellence combined with a goal to achieve a standard of excellence is the essence from which all of the other positive aspects of one's life can be attained. Every individual needs to experience excellence in some area of accomplishment during their lifetime. If not, then each morning as they gaze into the mirror they will see only a reflection of mediocrity with the accompanying feeling of a loss of self-worth. During the initial training of students in dental school, I would encourage that each student be given the opportunity to excel and to be recognized for their achievements early in their career. Feelings of confidence and self-worth can be elevated through participation in a positive teaching atmosphere. Excellence and integrity should be encouraged by emphasizing success. Each student should be allowed to discover his or her area of true expertise, for in this discovery lies the key to future success. Excellence can be achieved through positive and constant learning experiences, not only through formal education but by association with individuals who are recognized for excellence in their chosen fields of endeavor. Friendships such as these encourage a person to strive for achievement at the highest level and contribute to the happiness of their lives. Excellence and its companion, success, breeds integrity; a quality that will carry us through the most trying times. In candor, I have stated my personal view on excellence and I hope that it will stimulate productive thoughts by those who happen to read it. I have been very fortunate during my life to have been able to learn about excellence, success, integrity and contributions to society from those individuals, possessed of high intellect and compassion, who have also demonstrated their commitment to excellence in our profession and to the concurrent welfare of the world community. I sincerely hope that you will also be fortunate enough to have as an integral part of your life friends and family who care about you in your quest for excellence.
	LEGACY The Dental Profession Published in 1990 First Edition, Hardcover B& W photos, 213 pages	Edited by Drs. Clifford Loader and Shigeo Kishi, is a compilation of essays from some 85 international dental leaders participating in all phases of dentistry. These ideas and philosophies that have guided these individuals are shared here in the hopes of creating a better understanding for future leaders to continue the progress and development of Dentistry.

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