Forty-five years of dentistry, lived authentically

Dr Michelle Peterson's story reminds us that transition is not a pause in someone's life or career, but rather a continuation of it with greater authenticity. Beginning her transition in 1995 in a deeply conservative part of America whilst running an established dental practice required considerable courage, yet she chose to keep her doors open and her patients supported.

What strikes me most is the ordinariness of her choice alongside its extraordinary difficulty. She did not abandon her professional responsibilities or disappear to start anew. Instead, she lived truthfully within the work she had built, demonstrating to her patients, her staff, and her community that gender transition and professional excellence are not in conflict.

This is a story about resilience, certainly, but also about the simple human need to be known as oneself. I've written the full piece exploring her journey and what it means for healthcare professionals navigating similar paths.