Dr. Mao Her-Flores

Coming to the United States in 1981 as a refugee from Thailand gives Dr. Mao Her-Flores compassion and empathy for her patients at United Health Center in Kerman, California, made up of mostly low-income people, primarily local migrant workers.

As a CDA Foundation Student Loan Repayment Grant Recipient, Dr. Her-Flores received substantial reduction in her dental student loans in exchange for using her dental skills in an underserved area. This landed her in Kerman, California, just outside of Fresno that also happens to be where she grew up and where her family still lives.

“The grant from CDA Foundation really opened the doors for me to community health and gave me a look outside private practice dentistry,” said Dr. Her-Flores, who has remained as the Dental Director at United Health Center. “This is what I was meant to do. I truly care about helping my patients. I think getting the loan repayment grant really just redirected my life and into an area that not too many people explore. Thank you very much…my life has really changed because of the CDA Foundation Student Loan Repayment Grant. Thank you.”

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Dr. Mao Her-Flores says the CDA Foundation Student Loan Repayment Grant opened the door for her to community health. She is currently the Dental Director for United Health Center in Kerman, California serving primarily low-income families and migrant workers.