Graduate Spotlight: Abigail Eberhardt

At 18 years old and pregnant, Abigail picked up a book about the lack of preventative oral healthcare in America and immediately saw herself reflected in the stories. That moment changed the direction of her life and inspired her to pursue a career focused on public health and oral healthcare access.

Now graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health Studies: Health Services Administration, she has spent more than four years working in Clackamas County’s Health Centers as a dental assistant, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges many families face when trying to access care.

“Public health gave me direction when I needed it most,” she said. “What keeps me passionate about this work is the impact you can have on people’s lives, whether that’s helping someone access care, educating families, or simply making someone feel supported.”

One of her proudest accomplishments has been publishing her children’s book, Pearl White’s Smile Guide, which promotes early oral health education for children and families. Through both her professional and academic experiences, she discovered how deeply oral health is connected to broader issues such as access, education, transportation, and socioeconomic barriers.

Her academic journey also came with challenges. Originally planning to attend dental school, she had to adapt her goals while balancing full-time work, motherhood, and changing course availability. Rather than viewing that shift as a setback, she found a new passion through public health and gained a broader understanding of prevention, healthcare systems, and community impact.

Throughout her journey, she credits her husband, children, family, friends, and colleagues within Clackamas County’s Dental Department for supporting and encouraging her. She also found inspiration in Dr. Selynn Edwards, Dental Director at Clackamas County, whose leadership and mentorship helped reinforce her confidence and passion for serving others.

Following graduation, Abigail plans to continue working in public health while advocating for improved oral healthcare education and access, particularly within underserved communities. She also hopes to spend more time traveling and creating memories with her husband and children after years of balancing work, school, and family life.

“I want people to know that I genuinely tried to improve their health and support them however I could,” she said. “I hope to help move healthcare toward greater compassion, understanding, and equity.”