Tell us about yourself:
My name is Dr. Courtney Kaba, and I am proud to be a Hays native! After attending FHSU, I moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where I spent the next four years pursuing my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Crazy enough, I graduated dental school during the middle of a pandemic and ended up moving to Colorado, where I practiced for two years before moving back to Hays. During my free time, I enjoy doing about anything outdoorsy, like skiing, hiking, lake days, and off-roading. I also have a 2-year-old Goldendoodle named Remy, who is my pride and joy!
What do you do now for a living? How did you end up choosing this career path?
I am a general dentist at Cedar Lodge Dental Group in Hays, KS! This has been a long-time dream of mine in the making. Growing up, I had no clue what I wanted to do, but I knew that whatever it was, I had to make a difference in the lives of others. After seeing how many people dreaded going to the dentist, I decided to make it my goal to become a doctor that truly values their patients’ lives, not just their oral health. It took a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to get here, but the smiles on my patient’s faces after treatment make it all worthwhile.
Why did you choose to attend FHSU?
I attended FHSU because I wanted a school that felt more like a family. FHSU had much smaller class sizes, allowing better student/teacher interaction. The small class sizes also allowed students to get to know each other better and recognize familiar faces outside of classes and study groups.
What are your favorite memories from your time as a student?
Some of my favorite memories as a student were from being involved on campus. Even though I am from Hays originally, I chose to live and work at FHSU. I loved going to all the events at Beach/Schmidt, cheering on the football team, and eating unlimited ice cream at the caf.
Tell us about someone at FHSU who has left a lasting impression:
Although I truly valued all my interactions with faculty at FHSU, the person who made the most lasting impression on me would have to be Dr. Farley. You could always tell he was passionate about what he taught, and his teaching methods helped me to grow the most in my education. He cared more about you learning the concepts than getting you to memorize an answer. His teaching style facilitated long-lasting knowledge of the subject, which helped me to excel in dental school.
What advice do you have for current or prospective FHSU students?
Enjoy every minute of it, and work hard! Set yourself up for the future you want, but also spend time making memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
In what ways are you proud to be a Tiger?
Seeing the growth of the FHSU campus makes me so proud to be a Tiger! The administration and instructors here truly care about the future of their students. They have put so much time and money into updating facilities, facilitating learning, and creating an unforgettable college experience for students.