Ermin Velic, MDT, 38

Starting at the age of 10, Ermin Velic, MDT, watched his home in Bosnia turn into a fiery war zone. “When that’s your childhood, you learn what life is really about,” says Velic, Owner of Velic Dental Arts Studio, Wethersfield, CT. “You don’t fret about losing a client or business being down during COVID.”

Velic immigrated to the United States at 15. Although life was safer, it was difficult since his family didn’t speak English. He worked tirelessly in school, learning to speak the language in just three months and gradually perfected it.

Since he had an artistic bent, he took the advice of a friend and attended the dental technology program at a nearby high school, eventually landing a job as a model and die technician. Once the owner saw he had talent, he allowed Velic to dabble in ceramics and Velic stayed for hours after work practicing his techniques.

What helped him realize his full potential was attending the ASMDT...