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Have you ever found yourself panting after climbing the 99 steps from the first floor of the Dentistry Building through to the fifth? In September of 2011, then-second year dentistry students Julia and Tricia O’Brien (no relation) made a pact to avoid the elevators at all costs, opting to get some exercise instead.

“Both of us felt like we could be more active and in better shape,” says Tricia. “We thought with how busy you can get in second year, it was just an added bonus to how much activity we got each day.”

The dynamic duo kept up the feat for the duration of their time in dentistry school, only making an exception when they encountered patients who were unable to take the stairs.

They found themselves cursing the pact on occasion when they were running late for class or had already made a trip and had forgotten a form or required a signature from an instructor.

“At first, we couldn’t speak to each other by the time we got to the top because we were so winded,” says Tricia. “Every time that happened it just made me realize how much I needed to be taking the stairs. It definitely got easier as the time went on.”

After graduating with their Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees on May 23 and heading their separate ways, the O’Briens probably won’t be taking the Dentistry Building steps all that much anymore. Instead, they will move on to outdoor activities and hitting the gym. Tricia also has her sights set on getting a puppy in the near future, which will surely keep her active.