For Rachel Elkowitz (DEN '25), graduating from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine was not just an achievement—it was a deeply personal homecoming for her family, where her artistic spirit and the family's dental legacy intertwined.
Elkowitz’s graduation celebrated her academic achievement while honoring her family's deep roots at the school through the installation of her original artwork in two rooms within the Dental Clinic—spaces named in tribute to her grandfather, George Elkowitz (DEN '60). She also proudly follows in the footsteps of her great-uncle, Lloyd Elkowitz (DEN '60), and her father, Aaron Elkowitz, who is also a practicing dentist.
For Elkowitz, dentistry isn't just a science, it's an art form allowing her to "leave my mark in the way that I know best—through my art."
An art major during her undergraduate studies, Elkowitz brings a unique perspective to her practice of dental medicine, viewing dentistry as an inherently artistic field.
"Dentistry is very artistic—from setting teeth in a denture and carving the wax or color matching for a crown," she said.
With a studio art background, encompassing painting, sculpture and mixed media, Elkowitz has honed her manual dexterity, keen observational skills and nuanced appreciation for colors and shapes—all skills she finds effortlessly translatable to dental work. She firmly believes that "dentists are medical artists" whose artistry transcends what the eye sees.”
Her fascination with dentistry began at an early age—captivated by her visits to her father's dental office.
"I knew I wanted to be a dentist since I was 4 years old,” she recalled.
This early exposure ignited a lifelong dream. Working in her father's office, the younger Elkowitz progressed from 'official paper shredder' at age 6 to assuming more responsibilities in her high school and college years— greeting patients, managing files and even assisting with procedure prep, solidifying her path in dentistry.
Despite her lifelong aspiration, Elkowitz initially hesitated to apply to CWRU. It was her grandfather's encouragement that ultimately swayed her.
"My grandfather persistently asked, 'Did you apply to Case yet?'" she recalled, promising him he'd be the first phone call when she received her acceptance letter, a call she could not make as he passed away just weeks before it arrived.
Even in his absence, her grandfather's influence remained profound.
"With my grandfather's encouragement to attend Case Western Reserve, I felt like I was meant to be here from the beginning," Elkowitz said. "He is such a huge part of my dental story."
Elkowitz is currently completing a general practice residency at Northwell Health on Long Island, New York, continuing her family's distinguished legacy in dentistry and making her own artistic mark.