Alumnus Shares What He’s Learned About Caring
When Rich Knight, D.M.D. ’79, was about 10-years-old, he watched his father and his regular Sunday golf buddies do
“gimmes” while putting, counting anything within two feet of the hole as having been sunk. A week later, when young Richard returned home after playing a round of golf on his own, he announced to his dad his “best golf day ever!” Richard then explained to his dad that he had modified his father’s definition of a “gimmie” to count any putt on the green as good.
“My dad got a funny look on his face and said, ‘But, Rich, that’s cheating!’ ” recalls Dr. Knight.
That experience – and another when his mother reminded him as a teen to honor a commitment he’d made to a younger boy –were among many that taught Dr. Knight the values of honesty, integrity, trust, and accountability. He believes values continue to be developed and clarified throughout our lives. The values he has developed form the foundation of his message of “Caring”which he has presented this year for such audiences as the Oregon International College of Dentists and the faculty conference of the OHSU School of Dentistry.
Dr. Knight is a former Alumni Association president (2007-2008) and the School’s first recipient of the prestigious Stephen Peglow Award, an honor given annually to one graduating OHSU dental student who most exemplifies professionalism. He is married to Honey, R.D.H., and they have three children and two grandchildren.
“I want to deal with people fairly in ways that benefit them as well as me,” said Dr. Knight, during the OHSU SOD faculty conference in late September. “Caring for others doesn’t mean that I treat everybody the same way. I will treat various people in different ways depending on their needs, cultural background, and communication style.”
“I want to deal with people fairly in ways that benefit them as well as me,” said Dr. Knight, during the OHSU SOD faculty conference in late September. “Caring for others doesn’t mean that I treat everybody the same way. I will treat various people in different ways depending on their needs, cultural background, and communication style.”
“I want to treat people with respect and to show they matter to me. When this is done honestly, it can provide a framework for establishing trust.”
Dr. Knight said he tries to set his ego aside and avoids putting himself in situations where one person gains at the expense of another. He looks for common ground upon which to develop relationships.
“People will sense when someone cares,” he said. “Caring can mean different things to different people. Our job as dentists is to determine the person’s needs and then organize our caring and treatment around those needs.”
“I believe caring exists when one has the desire to connect with and value other people.” Dr. Knight said caring only happens with effective forethought. “Caring requires that the caregiver is able to sense or ask in what form the recipient wants the care to be given.”
Being honest, caring, and compassionate to others, consistently aligning his actions with values, being a life-long learner, holding himself and others accountable, and striving to do what is right in every situation are parts of Dr. Knight’s professional vision.
He describes his leadership style as a dentist and a teacher/facilitator as one who models the way. “To create new behaviors in others, those behaviors must be modeled in a safe environment where it is okay to make mistakes and to learn from them. I try to speak professionally and respectfully to patients, students, and co-workers. I also respect them for who they are, rather than how I want them to be. I use my interactions with patients to model the professional behavior I want to see the students exhibit. Each patient interaction is a potential learning experience.”
He also tries to enable others to act by encouraging them to trust themselves and be unafraid to make mistakes while learning. “When I was in dental school, it was not uncommon for teaching to occur through fear or intimidation,” said Dr. Knight. “A safe and caring environment allows students to relax and learn more effectively.”
Dr. Knight said he tries to set his ego aside and avoids putting himself in situations where one person gains at the expense of another. He looks for common ground upon which to develop relationships.
“People will sense when someone cares,” he said. “Caring can mean different things to different people. Our job as dentists is to determine the person’s needs and then organize our caring and treatment around those needs.”
“I believe caring exists when one has the desire to connect with and value other people.” Dr. Knight said caring only happens with effective forethought. “Caring requires that the caregiver is able to sense or ask in what form the recipient wants the care to be given.”
Being honest, caring, and compassionate to others, consistently aligning his actions with values, being a life-long learner, holding himself and others accountable, and striving to do what is right in every situation are parts of Dr. Knight’s professional vision.
He describes his leadership style as a dentist and a teacher/facilitator as one who models the way. “To create new behaviors in others, those behaviors must be modeled in a safe environment where it is okay to make mistakes and to learn from them. I try to speak professionally and respectfully to patients, students, and co-workers. I also respect them for who they are, rather than how I want them to be. I use my interactions with patients to model the professional behavior I want to see the students exhibit. Each patient interaction is a potential learning experience.”
He also tries to enable others to act by encouraging them to trust themselves and be unafraid to make mistakes while learning. “When I was in dental school, it was not uncommon for teaching to occur through fear or intimidation,” said Dr. Knight. “A safe and caring environment allows students to relax and learn more effectively.”
Dr. Knight suggests trusting others and at the same time holding them accountable. To build trust, he recommends discussing openly in front of others how you trust that person.
“I make a conscious effort to create a climate that will encourage and sustain trust,” he said. “It is important to be open to input and consider each person’s alternate viewpoint. I also like to celebrate others’ victories and recognize publicly the commitment and contribution of others.”
“I have seen all these values, leadership, and teaching styles within the School faculty, staff, and administration,” including such alumni as Dean Jack Clinton, D.M.D. ’64, Jim Tinkle, D.M.D. ’79, Don Sirianni, D.M.D. ’64, Peter Morita, D.M.D. ’86, Bob Quinn, D.M.D. ’55, Bill Bonniksen, D.M.D. ’75, John Lee, D.D.S., andMike Hoag, D.M.D. ’76.
“I make a conscious effort to create a climate that will encourage and sustain trust,” he said. “It is important to be open to input and consider each person’s alternate viewpoint. I also like to celebrate others’ victories and recognize publicly the commitment and contribution of others.”
“I have seen all these values, leadership, and teaching styles within the School faculty, staff, and administration,” including such alumni as Dean Jack Clinton, D.M.D. ’64, Jim Tinkle, D.M.D. ’79, Don Sirianni, D.M.D. ’64, Peter Morita, D.M.D. ’86, Bob Quinn, D.M.D. ’55, Bill Bonniksen, D.M.D. ’75, John Lee, D.D.S., andMike Hoag, D.M.D. ’76.
“Gone are the days of the classroom where the teacher looks at the students as empty vessels to be filled with the teacher’s knowledge,” said Dr. Knight. Now is a time where we as “facilitators” need to appreciate the knowledge the students already have and help them along their journey to a greater understanding. We all are students and we all help each other on that lifelong journey. I learn something new each day!”
