Alumnus named as Bush Fellow

Elmi Abdulkadir Elmi, DDS ’20, has been selected as a 2026 Bush Fellow for his ongoing work expanding access to oral health care in underserved communities. He was one of 30 fellows selected by the Minnesota-based Bush Foundation, which invests in people with the vision and potential to strengthen their communities. During the two-year fellowship, Elmi will focus on his personal leadership development through advanced clinical training, leadership education and mentorship to strengthen his ability to expand equitable dental care and mentor the next generation of providers.

“Receiving the Bush Fellowship is one of the greatest honors of my career,” Elmi said. “It tells me that the work we’ve been doing to improve access to dental care is making a difference. The fellowship will allow me to pursue advanced clinical training, strengthen my leadership skills and bring those lessons back to my practice and community.”

Elmi is one of the founders of All About Dentistry, with locations in West St. Paul and Burnsville, Minnesota. He describes the motivation behind this career choice: “Instead of joining an existing practice and working within those limitations, I wanted to build something different. I wanted a practice where accepting all insurance, including Minnesota public insurance, wasn’t the exception, where language wasn’t a barrier, where emergencies could be seen the same day and where every patient felt respected.”

Elmi expanded the clinic while also mentoring students and serving as a recurring panelist for the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry’s Dental Public Health course, which are activities that, for him, go hand in hand. “Building a successful practice creates opportunities to mentor students, train new dentists and expose them to community-based dentistry,” he said. “I enjoy speaking with University of Minnesota dental students because I want them to see that you can build a successful career while serving patients who need care the most. If we want to improve access to dental care, we need more providers who are inspired to practice in underserved communities.”

He offered this advice for a strong career: “Find mentors, ask questions, work hard and don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Many people want to see you succeed, and one day you’ll be in a position to mentor someone else. That’s how we continue building the next generation of dental professionals.”