Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Eugene Bestman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Eugene, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We love heartwarming stories – do you have a heartwarming story from your career to share?
One of the most heartwarming moments in my career actually came from a full circle experience that reminded me exactly why I chose oral and maxillofacial surgery in the first place.
I grew up in Ghana and experienced dental trauma as a child after an accident that left me with damaged front teeth. At the time, access to dental care was extremely limited, and over the years I eventually lost one of those teeth. I remember how much it affected my confidence growing up. When I moved to the United States at 14 years old, I carried those experiences with me, and they became a major part of my motivation to pursue dentistry and eventually oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Years later during residency at Harbor UCLA, I treated a young patient who reminded me so much of myself. He had suffered facial trauma and was terrified not only about the surgery, but about how he would look afterward. I remember sitting with him and his family before surgery and sharing parts of my own story with them. I wanted him to know that I truly understood what he was feeling, not just as a surgeon, but as someone who had once been in his shoes.
The surgery went well, but what stayed with me most was seeing his confidence slowly return during follow up visits. At one appointment, his mother pulled me aside with tears in her eyes and thanked me for treating her son like family. She told me he finally smiled again and felt comfortable being around his friends after months of hiding from people.
Moments like that remind me that medicine is about so much more than procedures and textbooks. It is about human connection, empathy, and giving people hope during vulnerable moments in their lives. Coming from Ghana, overcoming financial struggles, navigating imposter syndrome, and now being able to serve patients as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon is something I never take for granted.
I truly believe God used every challenge in my journey to prepare me to better connect with and serve others. Being able to turn my own pain into purpose has been one of the greatest blessings of my career.
Eugene, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery resident at Harbor UCLA and someone who has always believed that your background does not determine your ceiling. I was born in Ghana and moved to the United States at 14 years old after years apart from my mother. Growing up, I experienced firsthand how limited access to healthcare can impact confidence, quality of life, and opportunity. A childhood dental injury that went untreated for years ultimately became one of the driving forces behind my decision to pursue dentistry and eventually Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
My journey has taken me from Ghana to Delaware, then to the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, and now to Los Angeles for residency training. Throughout that process, I’ve tried to stay grounded in faith, discipline, resilience, and service. Those values shape everything I do, both inside and outside the hospital.
Professionally, I specialize in oral and maxillofacial surgery, which includes facial trauma, corrective jaw surgery, pathology, dentoalveolar surgery, dental implants, and facial reconstruction. What drew me to this field is the ability to combine medicine, dentistry, surgery, aesthetics, and technology to restore not only function but confidence and quality of life for patients. Whether it’s helping a trauma patient after a life changing injury or treating complex pathology, the work is incredibly meaningful because it directly impacts how people live and feel every single day.
Beyond clinical work, I’m heavily involved in research and education. I recently became first author on a published paper involving a rare molecularly confirmed low grade fibromyxoid sarcoma of the floor of the mouth. I’ve also presented research nationally at conferences and continue to contribute to advancing the field through academics and mentorship. As a chief resident, teaching and helping younger trainees grow has become one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.
Outside of medicine, I’m passionate about content creation, fitness, music, and mentorship. Through social media, I aim to show a more human side of healthcare professionals while also inspiring younger people, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, to believe bigger for themselves. I think many people only see the finished product and not the years of sacrifice, setbacks, self doubt, and consistency that happen behind the scenes. I try to be transparent about that journey because I know someone else may need that motivation.
What sets me apart is probably my ability to bridge multiple worlds authentically. I’m deeply committed to excellence in surgery and academics, but I also understand the importance of culture, storytelling, creativity, and connection. I don’t believe you have to fit yourself into one box to be successful. You can be a surgeon, researcher, creator, mentor, athlete, and artist all at once if you stay disciplined and intentional.
More than any title or accomplishment, I’m most proud of how far I’ve come without losing sight of who I am or where I came from. Every achievement represents years of sacrifice from my family, mentors, and community. My goal is not only to build a successful career but to create impact, open doors for others, and inspire people to pursue excellence regardless of their circumstances.
If there’s one thing I’d want readers to know, it’s that purpose, consistency, and faith can take you places you once thought were impossible.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
Yes
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Please see past responses
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Dr._bestman
