November 2011
College of
Dentistry
Recall
www.usask.ca/dentistry
A Note
Over the past year, many of you have been
contacting us to ask, “Where are you,
Recall?” Well, we’re back! Following
our last issue (April 2010), administrative
reorganization that affected several areas
in the College included reassignment of
the production of Recall. Unfortunately,
under the new plan we somehow “slipped
through a crack” and disappeared — until
now. Recall has since been returned to
the editorship of Janet Sklarchuk.
to our
Recall Readers
Crisis can offer opportunity! Kindly allow
us to use the many concerned enquiries
about our possible “demise” to remind
you all of the important role you play in
Recall. Our content depends heavily on
your input. We need to hear from you!
We’re interested in everything from news
at the personal level (weddings, babies,
moves) to the social (College events, class
reunions, travel, special projects) to the
professional (programs, research, new
systems, professional organization events).
Some of our most-enjoyed articles involve
your “musings” on themes that range from
the humorous to the political, from the
nostalgic to the philosophical. Sometimes
original poetry and lyrics appear on our
desk. And don’t forget those photos!
We’re glad to be underway again, and
look forward to bringing you the news
and views of our College of Dentistry
“family” members both young and nolonger-quite-so-young, from near and far.
Calling All Alumni: Save these dates now!
Catch up with your classmates, friends, and colleagues at the 2012 University of Saskatchewan
College of Dentistry All-Years Alumni Reunion, September 12–15, 2012.
This event will be held in conjunction with the CDA National Conference in Saskatoon. Reunion
program and festivities will begin the day before the CDA meetings.
• Connect before the conference at a College of Dentistry alumni reception and tour.
• Join in bestowing special honours on the University of Saskatchewan’s first graduating
dentistry class on its 40th anniversary.
• Help us roast the infamous Dr. Paul “Tipper” Teplitsky at a black tie event.
Mark your calendars today!
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The College of Dentistry
University of Saskatchewan
Room 332
Dental Clinic Building
105 Wiggins Road
Saskatoon SK S7N 5E4
Dean:
Dr. Gerry Uswak
Associate Dean:
Dr. Ken Sutherland
Assistant Dean:
Dr. Reg Anholt
If you read something in this issue of Recall that you would like to respond to, please send
your comments to Janet Sklarchuk at the address right or janet.sklarchuk@usask.ca
Message
Recall copy-editing
and proofreading:
Wanda Drury
from the
Dean
Full stop. And Saskatoon is one of the lowest-population cities
in Canada to have a College of Dentistry. Toronto, Edmonton,
and even Winnipeg and London have larger numbers of
dentists from which to recruit part-time faculty.
So if our part-time faculty members feel underappreciated,
then indeed we do have a big problem.
Feedback from our alumni is important – it enables us to see
the College from your point of view. Often, you see things
we don’t because we are so involved with day-to-day College
business. Interacting with alumni offers me the opportunity
to hear what you feel is important to you as graduates of our
College. Recently, I received some pointed feedback from
alumni that has given me a new appreciation of at least some
of those issues.
I felt forced to face some important facts. Throughout its
history, this College has had the luxury of dedicated part-time
faculty members who have selflessly given their time to help
our students. Indeed, most of these part-time faculty members
have spent decades teaching. Again, I had to question myself:
Have we really done enough to let our part-time faculty know
how important they are to us? And have we communicated to
our students just how important and generous
those part-time faculty members are? The
answer to both of these questions was
obvious: an emphatic No!
At the annual College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan
Scientific Session in Regina, one alumnus who is also part-time
faculty at our College expressed the opinion that both over the
years and at present, the College has not done an adequate
job of engaging its graduates. This is something I have heard
before, so I acknowledged that fact and explained that we are
trying to do better. But then, what immediately occurred to me
was: in reality, I am not doing enough. If I was, the comment
would have been presented to me in a different manner,
and without the word “adequate.” What I took away from
that interaction was this: The College used to be really bad in
engaging alumni and you have taken some steps to do more, but
you aren’t there yet and you need to do more. Message received
loud and clear.
I recently spent an hour with a
prospective candidate for the Associate
Vice-President, Communications
position here at the University
of Saskatchewan. Our
discussion touched on
a wide variety of issues
but for me two themes
emerged particularly
clearly: that there is an
art to communication,
and that sometimes
The related second message that was communicated to me
(and just this week) was that we are not doing enough to
recognize the extensive contribution of part-time faculty to our
teaching program. Now, I am pretty sure that everyone who
has received a dental education, whether here in Saskatoon or
elsewhere, realizes that a dental teaching institution cannot
survive without the participation of part-time faculty. Period.
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Message
from the
Dean
continued...
date. (The word stakeholder refers to individuals or groups who
are affected by an organization’s actions but who also can affect
the actions of the organization.) Every stakeholder in this College
is important because without you we would not exist: alumni,
students, patients, administrative and other staff, dental assistants,
full-time faculty, half-time faculty, part-time faculty—the list could
continue.
we miss important and even golden opportunities for
communicating with people. Why do I bring this particular point
into my message? Well, one of the issues raised by the part-time
faculty member cited earlier was that the letter of appointment
s/he’d received confirming participation at the College read like a
form letter and was devoid of any personalization. Nor was there
any acknowledgment or recognition of the commitment and
contribution to the College that the part-time faculty member
would be making.
The upshot of my “awakened insights” is this: I want you—our
entire extended dental community—to be active in charting
this College’s future, so for a start I need to let those of you
who actively contribute know how much I appreciate that
commitment. Further, it must be made clear to you that if this
College is to move forward, we need even more of your support.
From teaching to technology, you will be asked to provide
increased active support to the College so we can strongly
demonstrate to the University and to the Province that our
College’s stakeholders are firmly committed to maintaining its
existence. Yet, how can I ask you to support this College even
more than you already do if I do not adequately acknowledge the
commitments you have already made?
You know what? That alumnus is right. That letter is a form letter.
It reflects the standard operating procedure of a bureaucracy. It
is a document that accurately confirms a contractual relationship
while removing any unique sense of the recipient individual,
save for a name and an address. There is nothing in the letter
to differentiate between a part-time faculty member who is
being appointed for the first time versus someone who is being
reappointed for the twenty-fifth time. To the bureaucracy,
these distinctions are unimportant. But to people, they
are highly important. On top of that, the letter provides an
excellent opportunity to let someone know how much they are
appreciated—at present, an opportunity lost. This needs to
change. We should acknowledge the initial appointment of a
part-time faculty member because s/he has taken a huge step and
made a commitment to us. And we should acknowledge the parttime faculty member who has signed up each year for twentyfive (or however many) years because s/he has demonstrated
an ongoing commitment to us. Our present stark, bland, form
letter simply and urgently must be replaced by a richer and more
thoughtful document that offers possibility for a much deeper and
significant connection with this most important resource.
Clearly, some of our recent messages calling for increased
support have “made it through” because some of you already
are responding. Certainly, the level of your financial support has
increased significantly over the past two years. And although this
increase at present is small compared to that being evidenced at
other Canadian dental schools, we are but in the early stages of
what I aim to be a “call to action” that reflects greatly increased
personal sensitivity and appreciation by the College.
I get it. And I’ll fix it. Thank you for your input, and keep it coming.
What is now eminently clear is that engaging both alumni and
the entire membership of the Saskatchewan dental profession is
key to this College. In its simplest form, improved communication
will let people know what is happening here at the College. It
can provide a means for keeping interested stakeholders up-to-
Dr. Gerry Uswak
Dean
Mark Your Calendars!
White Coat Ceremony
College of Dentistry Alumni Reception
Friday, January 6, 2012
Convocation Hall,
University of Saskatchewan
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Vancouver, BC
Keep your afternoon open!
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College of Dentistry alumni, along with a guest, are cordially
invited to join us for a reception to be held in conjunction
with the Pacific Dental Conference. RSVP to Angela Kempf
no later than February 24, 2012, at (306) 966-2236 or
angela.kempf@usask.ca
Message
Message
from the
Associate Dean
It has been awhile since the last RECALL crossed your desk,
but please see the note on page 2 and rest assured that the
next issue will be timelier.
Dr. Ken Sutherland
Associate Dean
Dental education is ever-evolving. Just when we think we
have achieved our goals, we learn that the goalposts have
been moved back (could that also be the Riders’ problem?).
Ironically, change is a constant. And although change in
our College seems more rapid today than ever, what will
never change is our core mission of teaching, research, and
service, and our appreciation of the ardent support and
generosity of our alumni.
We could not begin to manage our curriculum without the invaluable
contributions of our part-time faculty, who mentor week in, week out,
with minimal acknowledgement. You support us for altruistic reasons
and to give back to the College that provided you with perhaps the best
career anywhere. You also support our cause with your hard-earned
money, which in turn allows us to augment our program in ways that
would never be possible without your generosity. Thank you, and kudos.
Dr. Paul Teplitsky has stepped down as Associate Dean. He will be
leaving our faculty effective December 31, 2011, after 40 years of yeoman
contributions academically, clinically, and socially. He will be dearly
missed but his legacy of commitment to the fibre of the institution will
endure. Thank you, Tipper, for everything!
Digital technology is revolutionizing dentistry and dental education:
computer systems, digital radiography, digital cameras, digital
impressions, digital dies, virtual wax patterns, CAD-CAM restorations,
and digital course materials. Digital information and assistance in every
aspect of the profession are at our fingertips 24/7. A central dilemma in
dental education is that we must balance the need to introduce the latest
technology with the necessity to teach a current standard of care that
allows our graduates to be productive from Day One. Currently, we have
a clinical computer system, are installing the hardware to go fully digital
in radiography, and are planning to introduce digital impressions in Term
2 of this academic year. Curriculum renewal that will transform didactic
acquisition and clinical technique is a top priority.
Faculty renewal is equally important. We are fortunate to have some
of the next generation of well -qualified, tenure-track, skilled educator/
clinicians such as endodontist Dr. Carlos Ochoa and prosthodontist
Dr. Vincent Torresyap in our midst, with more to come.
In the face of constant transition, one thing remains constant: our
commitment to excellence in all aspects of our program. With your
support, we will continue to be the foundation and touchstone for our
more than 750 graduates. We invite you to contact any one of us at any
time. You know where we are. Anticipate more positives in the near
future. And hope to see you soon.
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Assistant Dean
Clinical Affairs
Learn from the best . . .
to be the best that you can be . . .
for the best of your patients.
This is my personal rant—to
be more patient-centered; to
provide the type of care our
patients deserve and that our
students should be taught from
Day One. Some would counter
Dr. Reg Anholt, Assistant
Dean, Clinincal Affairs
that a patient-care priority is not
doable considering the essential
educational component, but my conviction is that this
is not an either/or situation. I firmly believe that we
can accomplish both! Really, what I’m talking about
is just everyday dentistry, doing the right treatment
in the right order . . . then we can fill in the blanks to
fulfill the educational requirements. This approach
will call for some hard work and some attention to
detail but I am looking forward to the challenge.
I am excited this year to be joined by new and capable
colleagues, and I know that our students are keen to
learn from them. Sure, it’s tough to lose good people;
among those Dr. Paul Teplitsky. For me and for many
others, he has been the face of our dental college from
the very start; you might say its very heart and soul.
There is no denying Dr. Teplitsky’s contributions, but
come to think about it, isn’t what he did what we all
want to do — make a difference?
So: Step up! Help out with the school.
We need you to . . .
• Send us money! Then we can retire that creaky
old chair you used until you graduated.
• Volunteer your time as part-time faculty to
mentor our students.
• Refer a limited patient, a molar endo—an
appropriate one—for our students to treat.
I think most of us would agree that Dentistry
has been good to us.
It’s our profession.
It’s our College.
We can help!
Dr. Reg Anholt
Class of 1976
Dr. Ken Sutherland
Class of 1977
from the
White Coat
Ceremony
2011
Following is a report on
the White Coat Ceremony
for the Class of 2013,
held Friday, January 7, 2011,
in Convocation Hall.
The following Code of Professional Conduct, introduced in August
2002, was recited by the Class of 2013 during the ceremony:
Perhaps some of you might not be familiar with the movie
Field of Dreams starring Kevin Costner, but I am sure my dental
college “veterans” — a euphemism for the aged and aging —
can recall this film. A paraphrase of the theme would be that
if you devote yourself to a project, not only will you make it
happen, you also will get the results you desire. The immortal
line in the show is: “If you build it, they will come.”
UNIVERSITY OF SASKATCHEWAN
COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY
CODE OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
The College of Dentistry is a community comprising students,
faculty, and staff dedicated to personal and academic excellence.
Choosing to join this community obligates each one of us to
adhere to a code of professional behaviour and gives us the
right to be challenged to learn, but not to be abused, harassed,
or humiliated. Membership in this community is not without
obligation. Accordingly, I have adopted the following statement
of principles to guide me throughout my academic, clinical, and
research work. I will uphold both the spirit and the letter of this
code. As a member of the dental community:
That prediction appears to be true in regard to the College’s
“Activity Days” we initiated three years ago, and it is particularly
applicable to today’s occasion, the White Coat Ceremony. From
an idea conceived just twelve years ago amidst cynicism and
skepticism has arisen an event that this year attracted over
300 participants! And each year it grows and becomes more
meaningful. If you like success stories, you’ll love the White
Coat Ceremony.
This we year had great speakers — Dr. Frank Hohn, President
of the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan;
Dr. David Hannah, Associate Vice-President, U of S Student
and Enrolment Services; Dr. Gerry Uswak, Dean, College of
Dentistry; and Minister of Justice, The Honourable Don Morgan.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Nekky Jamal, Class of 2009, who
was engaging, endearing, humorous, and straightforward. His
message—“professionalism is important”—could not have
been presented and articulated more clearly.
• I will practise personal and academic integrity.
• I will respect the rights and dignity of patients, students, faculty,
and support staff and treat all persons with honesty, respect,
fairness, and compassion.
• I will not make disparaging remarks about students, faculty,
or support staff or their work.
As always, I would like to thank the many people who made
it possible for this event to run smoothly—overall organizers
Maureen Webster, Cheryl Fehr, and Merissa Nicolas; the firstyear student volunteers; and the fourth-year cloakers.
• I will place the well-being of patients ahead of personal
advancement.
Finally, congratulations to the honourees, the second-year
class; also to their loved ones, many of whom attended the
ceremony.
• I will maintain patient confidentiality and will limit discussions of
patients to appropriate settings.
• I will set patient care as the highest priority in the clinical setting.
• I will maintain high standards of ethical behaviour and conduct
myself in a manner befitting my profession at all times.
Dr. Paul Teplitsky
Class of 1972
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A Tribute to
Dr. Ernest Reynolds Ambrose
May 12, 1926 – June 1, 2011
The following tribute was presented by Dr. Paul Teplitsky at the University of Saskatchewan Council on Thursday, June 16, 2011
Eighty-five years of a life well lived and
fondly remembered.
Back in 1977, the University of
Saskatchewan and the dental college
in particular was extremely fortunate
to successfully recruit Dr. Ambrose to
its Deanship. At that time, Ernie was
seven years into his deanship at McGill
— a place he loved and to which he had
devoted nineteen years of his life — yet
he decided to take on the challenge of the
still-emerging Saskatchewan College of
Dentistry.
He came to us as our third Dean in a period
when the College was undergoing strong
growth and clearly needing stable and
confident direction. Ernie provided both.
The College took roots and flourished
under his guidance, and as part of that
process our relationship with central
administration and other colleges became
marked by respect and even admiration.
The bloom was on the rose!
Ernie was an intelligent, crafty, and very
assertive leader. The standing joke among
faculty was that Ernie wrote the minutes
to the meeting before the meeting. In
truth, many times this was close to not a
joke! And yet he could get away with it
because he garnered so much respect from
everyone who worked with and knew him.
No one outworked Ernie. His dedication to
academic dentistry was complete. He was
tireless. He was a full-time Dean yet also
a full-time teacher, with a teaching load
greater than that of almost all other dental
faculty (twelve to sixteen hours per week
in direct student contact in lectures and
clinics). He was also a part-time clinician
and even did some research. Twelve-hour
days were commonplace. Work-related
travel “off-base”— an opportunity enjoyed
by many Deans and similarly available to
Ernie — was ignored.
wondered if they would keep Ernie — but
he always managed to return. Speaking
personally, while I knew Ernie was not
criminal, I admit that at times I wondered
about the other part!
The only other avenue of attention for Ernie
was his family. He and his wife Patricia had
seven children. Theirs was an energetic,
fun-filled, and loving Italian family. They
loved to holiday together and fishing, along
with eating turkey at family gatherings,
were themes central to these occasions.
Ernie often would demonstrate his musical
talents at those gatherings — and at dental
ones, as well — because he also was an
accomplished pianist. However, proof that
Ernie was not perfect emerged when he
broke out into song — suffice it to say he
was no Pavarotti!
I have two very fond recollections I will
now share with you. First, the things I
noticed when I first met Dr. Ambrose were
his radiant smile (he had beautiful teeth)
and his odd ears. Ernie’s ears were very
interesting. They had the strange quality of
changing colour with his mood. Normally,
they were skin tone. If he was slightly
agitated, they turned pink. If he was angry
they morphed into a bold crimson. It was
remarkable how meetings progressed
depending on his ear colour!
As a teacher, few were Ernie’s equal. He
understood an essential dental teaching
concept; namely, teach the fundamentals
to excess and insist on the repetition
necessary for developing competency skills.
For Ernie, it quite simply had to be done
right. Students were taught to know good
from bad and how to self-assess, and no
dentist graduating under his guidance left
with self-doubt about personal professional
ability or any question about what
constituted an acceptable standard of care.
In 1993, Ernie was awarded the esteemed
University of Saskatchewan Master Teacher
Award.
And Dr. Ambrose practiced what he
preached. He was a wet-fingered dentist,
and chose what some would consider to be
an odd place to practice. He worked at a
maximum security prison for the criminally
insane. I must admit that at times, we
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My second recollection involves memos.
Ernie was Dean from 1977–85, during the
era I refer to as B.E.M. — before e-mails.
He hand-wrote his memos and they were
numerous and he underlined all the
points he thought were important — and
sometimes two or three times! Those
memos came complete with ripped-out
journal articles that he felt we should read
in order to keep up with our disciplines.
And with every memo came the
encouraging closing remark — an Ambrose
trademark — “Onwards and Upwards!”
Dr. Ambrose truly cared. He cared about
the College, the students, the patients, and
his family. For his efforts he received many
awards, perhaps the most prestigious being
an honorary membership in the Canadian
Dental Association, its highest and rarest
award. But above all, he was a good man.
Dr. Paul Teplitsky
Class of 1972
Dr. Meghan Betnar
Dr. Mark Berscheid
(l-r) Meghan Betnar, Crystal Krasilowez, Brett Langill, Allison Atchison
(l-r) Dr. Francisco Otero-Cagide, Dr. Dean Kolbinson, Dr. Reg Anholt
Keynote speaker Dr. Ken Sutherland
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(l-r) Sean St. Marie, Mark Talbot, Michael Gavelis
(l-r) Sok Sun, Chris Dinh, Chad Stoll
Convocation 2011
(l-r) Dr. Jay Hoover, Dr. Don Johnson, Dr. Dean Kolbinson, Dr. Francisco Otero-Cagide,
Dr. Carol Nagle, Dr. Carlos Ochoa-Suarez, Dr. Alan Kilistoff, Dr. Petrus Gomes, Dr. James Stakiw
Master of Ceremonies Mark Berscheid
The Class of 2011 was surrounded by family and friends on Thursday, June 2, 2011, when they became the newest alumni of the
College of Dentistry. Twenty-seven students were awarded the Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree at the University of Saskatchewan
Spring Convocation. Congratulations to Mike Gavelis, recipient of the Faculty of Dentistry Gold Medal award. The ceremony was
followed by the Graduation Banquet held at the Delta Bessborough Hotel, where Dr. Ken Sutherland (Class of 1977) gave a “superman”
of a talk discussing professional and personal fulfillment.
Congratulations and best of luck to the Class of 2011!
Tyson Allred
Allison Atchison
David Baker
Mark Berscheid
Meghan Betnar
Srdjan Dautbegovic
Chris Dinh
Michael Gavelis
Jenna Gogolinski
Lance Huber
Joonyoung Ji
Eric Knouse
Crystal Krasilowez
Jill Kulyk
Leemai Lafontaine
Brett Langill
Jin Hwa Lee
Jennifer Li
Shawn Mamer
Nicole Povey
Chelsea Price
Jolanta Przepiorka
Sean St. Marie
Chad Stoll
Sok Sun
Mark Talbot
Chester Young
The College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan honoured the Class of 2011 by hosting the annual Graduation Breakfast the following
morning. Dr. Bernie White, Registrar of the CDSS, presented Mark Berscheid with the Western Canada Dental Society / Dr. Cal Waddell
Memorial Scholarship and Meghan Betnar with the Canadian Dental Association Student Leadership Award.
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Activity Day
The College of Dentistry’s first Activity Day
of the 2011–2012 academic year took place
on Friday, August 26th, at the Saskatoon
Forestry Farm. The main purposes of the
event were to welcome our incoming Year 1
students and to celebrate the start of a new
academic year. Time was also built into the
program to acknowledge the retirement
of Dr. Paul Teplitsky and his 38-plus years
of contribution to the College. Dr. Dennis
Lanigan, Paul’s former classmate and a
long-time friend, graciously shared a few
stories about him.
Overall this event was a great success, with
approximately 240 students, staff, faculty,
and family members in attendance. There
were many organized activities including
volleyball, casino games, and a scavenger
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hunt. A popular space was the Kids’ Corner,
which offered a variety of games and crafts
for children. Many took time to view the
zoo animals and several tried their luck
at the fishing pond. There were over one
hundred door prizes donated by various
individuals and businesses.
Thanks to all of the students, staff, and
faculty who kept the event running
smoothly by working a volunteer shift or
two. The ice cream sandwiches, countrystyle barbequed burgers, great people
in attendance, and warm sunny day all
contributed to the success of this event.
Maureen Webster
Director of Academic and Student Affairs
Jordan Fingard and Zahra Kurji
Chad Krasilowez and Crystal Linfitt
Meredith Little and Rob Walker
Brittany Scobie and Eric Knouse
Zahra Kurji (Class of 2003) and Jordan
Fingard were married October 30, 2010,
in Lake Louise, Alberta. Honeymoon
plans are “in the works.”
Congratulations to Rob Walker (Class of
2005) on his marriage to Meredith Little
on September 18, 2010, in Victoria, BC.
The couple spent their honeymoon in St.
Lucia and New York City.
Kim Nguyen and Jared Wendt
Jessica Grant and Nathan Hamilton
Engagements &
Weddings
Jared Wendt (Class of 2007) and Kim
Nguyen wed in Saskatoon on July
17, 2010. The two honeymooned in
southern Alberta and British Columbia.
Eric Knouse (Class of 2011) married
Brittany Scobie on August 7, 2010,
in Regina. The couple spent their
honeymoon in Hawaii.
Congratulations to Crystal Linfitt
(Class of 2011) on her marriage to
Chad Krasilowez at Candle Lake,
Saskatchewan, on July 17, 2010.
Nathan Hamilton (Class of 2013)
wed Jessica Grant on July 16, 2011,
in Champetre County near St. Denis,
Saskatchewan. The newlyweds enjoyed
a honeymoon in Palm Springs, California.
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Score
May thy ball lie
in green pastures . . .
and not in still waters. And the winners were . . .
1st Place:
Mike Hallam
Chris Hallam
Dean Perrey
Dr. Ken Sutherland
~Author Unknown
Moonlake Golf and Country Club
again was host to the College’s annual
Kent McLeod Memorial Golf Classic, held
this year on Saturday, September 10,
2011. Great weather, great food, great
prizes, and great golf all made for a
great day! Special thanks to coordinator
Arjunn Sachdev and co-coordinators
Brett Shkopich and Adam Stenerson
on organizing this year’s event!
The College wishes to acknowledge the
generosity of both new and continuing
sponsors for their support of this annual
event and the scholarship proceeds that
stem from it. Three scholarships are
given out annually to students who
display the admirable qualities
exemplified by Kent McLeod throughout
his academic, professional, and
personal life. Since the induction of
this tournament, approximately 30
scholarships have been awarded to
dental students to help fund their dental
education. So again, sponsors, thank you
for your tremendous patronage!
Big Wood:
Taneil Barlow
Trent Bevans
Kris Currie
Alexis Graham
Special thanks and acknowledgement to the following sponsors:
Silver Sponsors:
Dr. Parm Lalli
Mr. & Mrs. Jack McLeod
Dr. James Stephenson
Title Sponsor:
Hallam Dental
Aesthetics Inc.
Dinner Sponsor:
Carlton Dental Laboratories
Platinum Sponsors:
Investors Group / Hergott
Duval Stack LLP
MNP LLP
Gold Sponsors:
A-Dec Inc
Crest Oral-B
Dr. Frank Hohn
RBC Royal Bank of Canada
Robertson Stromberg
Pedersen
Sunstar Americas,
Inc. (Canada)
Wiegers Financial &
Benefits
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Hole Sponsors:
Big Wood (Drs. Graeme Lackie, Geoff McIntosh,
Mike Paul, Dustin Wawryk)
Broadway Dental Group
Chromaster Dental Lab
Class of 2013
Dr. Robert Cram
Denture Cottage
Drs. Chris Dinh and
Chelsea Price
Mr. Jake Fehr (MS meditech
solutions Inc.-Surgitel/
Global)
Fitness Masters Corporation
Dr. Bobby Hubbard
Ortho-Tec Lab. Inc.
Dr. Garnet Packota
Regina Dental
Laboratory Ltd.
Rock Dental Lab Ltd.
Dr. David Stark
Dr. Ken Sutherland & Family
The Sutherland Hotel
Ultra-Tech Dental
Laboratory Inc.
Western Dental
Laboratory Ltd
Hole-in-One Sponsors:
RBC Royal Bank of Canada
Vaughn Wyant
Automotive Group
Donations were gratefully
received from:
Mr. & Mrs. Pat Carey
Ghislaine McLeod
Dr. Stephen Phen
Waters Dental Arts
Laboratory Ltd
Tidbits
Dr. Trena Reeve and Dr. Sandeep Dhesi
Farewell to Barbara Long (front row third from left)
Dr. Sandeep Dhesi (Class of 2001) graduated from the
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery program at the University of
Texas Health Science Center in Houston in June 2010, and
successfully completed the Royal College exams in July 2010.
Subsequently, he was promoted to the rank of Major in the
Canadian Armed Forces in January 2011 and was deployed
to Afghanistan from May to August 2011 at the Kandahar
Airfield Hospital as a facial trauma surgeon. He and his family
relocated to Ottawa upon his return to Canada. While in
Afghanistan, he served with Dr. Trena Reeve (Class of 1993)
at the Multinational Trauma Hospital as part of Operation
Athena. Major Reeve was the Coalition Dentist.
Congratulations to Dr. Richard Halpern (Class of 2007) on
completion of his Master of Science in Anatomical Sciences
and Neurobiology from the University of Louisville School of
Medicine in December 2010.
Dr. Michael Gavelis (Class of 2011) was awarded the Faculty
of Dentistry Gold Medal at the June 2, 2011, University of
Saskatchewan convocation.
The College welcomes Yukako Kouma and Ellie Matsuoka,
visiting students from Okayama University Dental School in
Okayama, Japan. As in the past, the students will be here for
a period of approximately twelve weeks, from August 19 to
November 9, and will be observing the clinical procedures
of our program and participating in various lectures and
student activities. We are delighted to have them visit our
university and our College, and hope they learn plenty and
have fun doing it!
Dr. Richard Halpern
(l-r) Yukako Kouma and Ellie Matsuoka
(l-r) Dean Uswak and Kris Currie
(l-r) Maureen Webster, Nolan Paul, Cheryl Fehr
Hats off to Ullas Kapoor (Class of 2014) on his summer research
achievements. Ullas has been identified by his supervisor, Dr. Julia
Boughner, as “being very gifted at doing research.” In fact, his expertise
was integral in producing the following two abstracts:
JC Boughner, U Kapoor, MT Raj. 2012. Papa was a gnathostome (and
Mama was dentate): modeling primate jaw and tooth evo-devo using
a ‘toothless’ mouse mutant. Symposium: Understanding human
evolutionary variation via experimental model systems. 81st Annual
Meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropology,
April 11-14. Portland, USA. Oral Presentation.
JC Boughner, MC Dean, C Wilgenbusch, U Kapoor. 2011.
Permanent dental development in bonobos (Pan paniscus) and
chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). 15th International Symposium
on Dental Morphology, August 24-27. University of NewcastleUpon-Tyne, UK. Poster Presentation.
Barbara Long retired July 1, 2011, after having served the College
of Dentistry since 1980 as a half-time dental hygienist. Barbara’s
enthusiasm, wide smile, and infectious laugh, along with her willingness
to teach our students, all will be greatly missed! All the best in your
well-deserved retirement!
Congratulations to Kris Currie (Class of 2012) on receiving the
International College of Dentists Student Award.
Special thanks to Maureen Webster for organizing Activity Day 1
at the Forestry Farm. She and her two special assistants, Nolan Paul
and Cheryl Fehr, went “above and beyond” to create the best-attended
Activity Day ever!
13
Class of 2014
Class of 2012
Fall Welcome 2011
The traditional Fall Welcome banquet was
held Saturday, September 24, 2011, at the
Sheraton Cavalier Hotel. Hats off to Alexis
Graham for organizing the spectacular event
and to Russell Butler and Kris Currie for their
outstanding job as co-emcees! According to
all reports, the evening was a great success!
The banquet was followed by an awards
ceremony highlighting the students
who were identified for various honours.
Maureen Bowerman presented the Cotter
Award to Jason Houim, the fourth-year
student who best exemplified the empathy,
courtesy, and caring attention to patients
demonstrated by Dr. Wilf Cotter during his
professional career. The Dental Anatomy
Award went to Johnny Tran for achieving
the highest average in the first-year anatomy
classes. Courtney Dirven, who attained the
best overall average in selected preclinical
restorative disciplines, was presented with
the Anthony A. Blasko Award. Allison
Atchison received the Saskatchewan Dental
14
Student Society Lifetime Membership for
having served as SDSS President in 2010–2011.
Dr. Nathan Nieviadomy humbly accepted
the Challenge Cup on behalf of the
Professors/Alumni for their well-deserved
victory in the Students vs. Professors/Alumni
hockey game. He then presented this year’s
Paul E. Teplitsky Desire to Win Award to
recipient Kris Currie. Lindsay Scherr won
the Most Likely to Succeed Award, while
Trent Bevans graciously accepted the Bronze
Bootplay Award of the Year.
Class of 2013
LivingWell: Health and Wellness in Dentistry
is an initiative founded by students and for
students at the College of Dentistry. Students
in medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine
alike have recognized the need in our
professions for a program designed to take care
of the practitioner in order that s/he then is
able to optimally care for the patient. Through
LivingWell, we hope as students to develop
proper ergonomics, healthy eating, stress
management techniques, and mindfulness in
our practice, thereby helping and enabling us
to grow into healthy, balanced professionals.
It is our goal to encourage and foster healthy
lifestyle choices amongst our peers, and we plan
to share and distribute this mission through
guest speakers, social events, and a Wellness
Week booth. Our first event will be a “Come
& Go Tea” on Thursday, October 13, in DC334.
Please bring your reusable travel mug, and
help yourself to some coffee, tea, and healthy
treats and recipes. We invite you to participate,
and to share your suggestions or feedback at
livingwelldentistry@gmail.com
Class of 2015
The LivingWell team (all Class of 2014):
Saud Ahmad, Adam Abdo, Anis Haji, Simon
Haimanot, Amanda Beaudry, Allison Rowein
15
The area to the northwest of the College Drive and Wiggins Road entrance intersection and immediately
south of the College of Dentistry has been dominated by construction of the new Health Sciences
facilities. The following document “The Health Sciences Project at a Glance” provided by the Council of
Health Science Deans’ Communications Working Group describes this major project.
The Health Sciences project
at a glance
The Health Sciences project
The Health Sciences
at aproject
glance
What is the Health Sciences project?
atDeans
a glance
Council of Health Science
The University of Saskatchewan Health Sciences project will create
a new standard for interprofessional education, research and
practice. Our state-of-the-art, integrated facility will support and
enable collaboration between students, faculty and researchers
in all health science disciplines and will help us to educate health
professionals using a team-centred approach.
The University of Saskatchewan Health Sciences project will create
aThe
new
standardoffor
interprofessional
education,
research
andcreate
University
Health
Sciences
project
Led
by
the CouncilSaskatchewan
of Health Sciences
Deans
(CHSD),
the will
Health
practice.
Our state-of-the-art,
integrated
facilityresearch
will support
and
aSciences
new standard
for
interprofessional
education,
andhistory
project is the largest capital building project in the
enable
collaboration
betweenintegrated
students, faculty
and
researchers
practice.
Our
state-of-the-art,
facility
will
support
and
of the University of Saskatchewan. The Health Sciences facility,
in
all health
science disciplines
and will help
us toand
educate health
enable
collaboration
betweenisstudents,
faculty
currently
under construction,
an investment
in theresearchers
future of health
professionals
using adisciplines
team-centred
approach.
in all healthand
science
and will
help us to educate health
education
practice in Saskatchewan.
professionals using a team-centred approach.
Led by the Council of Health Sciences Deans (CHSD), the Health
Inside the innovative new facility, the university will offer a highly
Sciences
project
is the
largestSciences
capital building
projectthe
in the
history
Led
by the
Council
of Health
Deans
(CHSD),
Health
integrated
experience
for students in all
health-care
fields.
We
of
the University
ofthe
Saskatchewan.
The
Health project
Sciencesinfacility,
Sciences
project
is
largest
capital
building
the
history
will introduce leading teaching concepts, conduct broad research
currently
under construction,
is an investment
in the future
of health
of the University
ofadvance
Saskatchewan.
The Health Sciences
investigations
that
our understanding
of healthfacility,
issues and
education
and practice
in Saskatchewan.
currentlyhow
under
construction,
is an investment
in the
futuretoofthe
health
explore
to best
provide clinical
services that
respond
education
and
practice
in Saskatchewan.
needs
of
today’s
patients.
Inside the innovative new facility, the university will offer a highly
integrated
experiencenew
for students
in university
all health-care
fields.
We
Inside
the innovative
facility, the
will offer
a highly
will
introduce
leading teaching
concepts,
conduct broad
research
integrated
experience
for students
in all health-care
fields.
We
investigations
that advance
ourconcepts,
understanding
of health
and
will introduce leading
teaching
conduct
broad issues
research
explore
how
to
best
provide
clinical
services
that
respond
to
the
When
complete,
the
facility
will
bring
researchers,
faculty,
students
investigations that advance our understanding of health issues and
needs
ofhow
today’s
patients.
and
staff
members
from
all disciplines
of health
even
closer
explore
to best
provide
clinical services
thatscience
respond
to the
The Council of Health Science Deans (CSHD)
provides collaborative leadership for the Health
Sciences project, and academic leadership and
strategic direction with respect to health sciences
planning,
curricula,
research,
Councilinterprofessional
of Health Science
Deans
service and infrastructure.
Council
Science
The
Councilof
ofHealth
Health Science
DeansDeans
(CSHD)
Members
of the council
include:for the Health
provides
collaborative
leadership
The Council of Health Science Deans (CSHD)
Sciences
project,
andofacademic
and
Lorna Butler,
chair
the CHSDleadership
and
provides
collaborative
leadership
for the Health
strategic
direction
with
respect
to
health
sciences
dean,
College
of
Nursing
Sciences project, and academic leadership and
planning,
interprofessional
curricula,
research,
strategic
respect
health
sciences
Williamdirection
Albritton,with
past-chair
oftothe
CHSD
service
and
infrastructure.
planning,
interprofessional
curricula, research,
and dean,
College of Medicine
service
andofinfrastructure.
Members
the council
include:
David Hill,
vice-chair
of the
CHSD and dean,
What is the Health Sciences project?
What is the Health Sciences project?
College
of
and
Nutrition
Lorna
Butler,
chair
of the
CHSD
and
Members
ofPharmacy
the
council
include:
dean, College
of Nursing
Adam
Baxter-Jones,
deanand
until
Lorna
Butler,
chair
ofacting
the CHSD
June
2011; Carol
Rodgers,of
dean,
July 1, 2011;
William
Albritton,
past-chair
the CHSD
dean,30,
College
of Nursing
College
of College
Kinesiology
and
dean,
of
Medicine
William Albritton, past-chair of the CHSD
Gerry
Uswak,
dean, College
of Dentistry
David
Hill, College
vice-chair
the CHSD
and dean,
and dean,
of of
Medicine
Robert
Buckingham,
executive
director,
College
of
Pharmacy
and
Nutrition
David Hill, vice-chair of the CHSD and dean,
SchoolBaxter-Jones,
of Public Health
Adam
dean until
College of Pharmacyacting
and Nutrition
Douglas
Freeman,
Western
College
June
30,
2011;
Caroldean,
Rodgers,
dean,
July 1, 2011;
Adam Baxter-Jones,
acting dean
until
College
of
Kinesiology
of
Veterinary
Medicine
June 30, 2011; Carol Rodgers, dean, July 1, 2011;
Which colleges are involved?
Gerry
Uswak,
dean,
College
of Dentistry
Brett
Fairbairn,
executive
sponsor,
provost and
College
of Kinesiology
vice-president
academic
andofex-officio
Robert
Buckingham,
executive
director,member
Gerry
Uswak,
dean,
College
Dentistry
School Buckingham,
of Public Health
Robert
executive director,
Vision
Douglas
dean, Western College
School ofFreeman,
Public Health
Together, the Health Sciences will be leaders
of Veterinary
Medicine Western College
Freeman,
in Douglas
advancing
health, dean,
locally and globally, through
Brett
Fairbairn,
executive sponsor,
provost
of Veterinary
Medicine
excellence
in interprofessional
education
andand
practice,
interdisciplinary
life
and
health
sciences
vice-president
academic
and
ex-officio
member
Brett
Fairbairn,
executive
sponsor,
provost
and
discovery,
and committed
vice-president
academicengagement
and ex-officiowith
member
Vision
stakeholders.
Together,
Vision the Health Sciences will be leaders
in
advancing
health,
and
globally,
through
For
More the
Information:
Together,
Health locally
Sciences
will
be leaders
excellence
in health,
interprofessional
and
Council
of Health
Science
Deans
Office through
in advancing
locally
andeducation
globally,
practice,
interdisciplinary
life
and
health
sciences
University
of
Saskatchewan
excellence in interprofessional education and
discovery,
and
committed
engagement
B526
Health
Sciences
Building
practice,
interdisciplinary
life
and healthwith
sciences
stakeholders.
107
Wiggins
Road,
Saskatoon,
SK S7N 1K2
discovery, and committed engagement
with
Phone:
(306) 966-4341
stakeholders.
For More Information:
www.usask.ca/healthsciences
Council
of Information:
Health Science Deans Office
For More
University
of Saskatchewan
Council of Health
Science Deans Office
B526
Health
Building
University ofSciences
Saskatchewan
107
Road, Saskatoon,
B526Wiggins
Health Sciences
Building SK S7N 1K2
Phone:
(306)
966-4341
107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 1K2
www.usask.ca/healthsciences
Phone: (306) 966-4341
together
than current
facilities permit. The Health Sciences project
needs of today’s
patients.
includes the disciplines of dentistry, kinesiology, medicine, nursing,
nutrition, pharmacy, physical therapy, public health and veterinary
medicine. Each discipline will have classrooms; laboratories;
When complete, the facility will bring researchers, faculty, students
collaborative spaces for teaching, learning and research; and
and
staff
members
all disciplines
of health science
even
closer
When
complete,
thefrom
facility
will bring researchers,
faculty,
students
offices within the new facility.
together
than current
facilities
permit. of
The
Health
Sciences
project
and
staff members
from
all disciplines
health
science
even
closer
includes
disciplines
of dentistry,
kinesiology,
togetherthe
than
current facilities
permit.
The Healthmedicine,
Sciences nursing,
project
Features
of the facility
include:
nutrition,
pharmacy,
physical
therapy,
public health
and veterinary
includes the
disciplines
of dentistry,
kinesiology,
medicine,
nursing,
medicine.
Each
discipline
will
have
classrooms;
laboratories;
Integrated,
interdisciplinary
space
with
modern
nutrition, pharmacy, physical therapy, public health and labs
veterinary
collaborative
spaces
for teaching,
learning
research; and
Innovative
clinical,
study
and
socialand
spaces
medicine.
Each
discipline
will
have
classrooms;
laboratories;
offices
within
the new
Re-conceptualized
and expanded
collaborative
spaces
forfacility.
teaching,
learninglibrary
and research; and
Which colleges are involved?
Which colleges are involved?
Spacethe
designed
by research themes to support
offices within
new facility.
Features
of the facility
research
groups include:
Features
of the facility
include: space with modern labs
Integrated,
interdisciplinary
Participating
Disciplines
Innovative
clinical,
study andspace
socialwith
spaces
Integrated, interdisciplinary
modern labs
Re-conceptualized
and expanded
College
of Dentistry
Innovative
clinical, study
and sociallibrary
spaces
Space
designed
by and
research
themes
to support
College
of Kinesiology
Re-conceptualized
expanded
library
research
groups
College
of
Medicine
Space designed by research themes to support
College
Nursing
researchofgroups
Participating
Disciplines
College of Pharmacy
and Nutrition
School of Physical
Therapy
Participating
Disciplines
College of Dentistry
School of Public Health
College
of Dentistry
Kinesiology
College of
University Library
College
of
Medicine
College of Kinesiology
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
College of
of Medicine
Nursing
College
College
Pharmacy and Nutrition
College of
of Nursing
School
of
Physical
Therapy
College of Pharmacy
and Nutrition
School
of
Public
Health
School of Physical Therapy
University
LibraryHealth
School
of Public
Western
College
University
Libraryof Veterinary Medicine
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
When complete, the
Health Sciences facility
will
be complete,
a resourcethe
for
When
When
complete,
the
the whole
province.
Health
Sciences
facility
Health Sciences facility
will be a resource for
will be a resource for
the whole province.
www.usask.ca/healthsciences
16
Case for support
|
Health Sciences
stakeholders.
Features of the facility include:
Integrated, interdisciplinary space with modern labs
Innovative clinical, study and social spaces
Re-conceptualized and expanded library
Space designed by research themes to support
research groups
The Health Sciences project
at a glance
Participating Disciplines
College of Dentistry
College of Kinesiology
College of Medicine
What infrastructure
currently exists?
College of Nursing
College of Pharmacy and Nutrition
This construction and renovation will enhance what is already
School of Physical Therapy
one of the most scientifically advanced campuses in Canada,
School of Public Health
which currently includes: the Canadian Light Source, the only
University Library
synchrotron in Canada; the Vaccine and Infectious Disease
Western College of Veterinary Medicine
When complete, the
Health Sciences facility
will be a resource for
the whole province.
Project components
and timelines
Organization, a world leader in the research and development
of vaccine and immunity-enhancing technologies; Canada’s
largest university-based toxicology centre; Innovation Place,
one of the most successful research parks in North America; and
the International Vaccine Centre which, when complete, will
be one of the largest containment level-3 vaccine research and
development facilities in North America.
The Health Sciences project
at a glance
Together,
the infrastructure
new and existing infrastructure
will promote
What
currently exists?
collaboration, resource sharing and research partnerships.
This construction and renovation will enhance what is already
one of the most scientifically advanced campuses in Canada,
What
are the includes:
benefitsthefor
our province?
which currently
Canadian
Light Source, the only
in Canada;
the Vaccinecan
andcontinue
Infectious
Thesynchrotron
project will ensure
Saskatchewan
toDisease
educate
Organization,
a world
leader
the research
and health
development
health
experts here
at home,
andinrecruit
and retain
experts
of vaccine
and research
immunity-enhancing
technologies;
Canada’s
to teach,
conduct
and practise in
the community.
largest university-based
toxicology
centre;
Innovation
In addition,
the project will expand
learning
resources
for Place,
one
of
the
most
successful
research
parks
in
North
America;
health-care instructors, clinical supervisors and practitioners and
the the
International
Vaccine Centre
which,
when
complete,
will
across
province. Completion
of the
Health
Sciences
project
be
one
of
the
largest
containment
level-3
vaccine
research
will ensure the province has the capability to provide leading and
development
facilities in
America.
health
sciences education
forNorth
the future
health of our people.
Together, the new and existing infrastructure will promote
Who
was involved
planning
for thepartnerships.
Health
collaboration,
resourcein
sharing
and research
Sciences project?
What
areinitiative
the benefits
our
province?
Planning
for this
began infor
2001
and
has involved a
broad
of will
experts
andSaskatchewan
community stakeholders.
by the
Therange
project
ensure
can continueLed
to educate
health
science
colleges,
the
plan
evolved
and
was
refined
through
health experts here at home, and recruit and retain health experts
consultation
with health
regions,
service
SIAST,
to teach, conduct
research
andhealth
practise
in theagencies,
community.
theIn
University
of
Regina,
the
Saskatchewan
Ministry
of
Advanced
addition, the project will expand learning resources for
Education,
Employment
and
Immigration
and the
health-care
instructors,
clinical
supervisors
andSaskatchewan
practitioners
Ministry
of
Health.
These
groups
have
a
shared
vision
to ensure
across the province. Completion of the Health
Sciences
project
thiswill
province
is
home
to
a
leading
facility
that
will
provide
ensure the province has the capability to provide leading
education,
researcheducation
and information
exchange
opportunities
health sciences
for the future
health
of our people.
to serve the province and the nation for years to come.
Who was involved in planning for the Health
How is the Health Sciences project
Sciences project?
financially supported?
Planning for this initiative began in 2001 and has involved a
Thebroad
Government
Saskatchewan
has recognized
the importance
range ofofexperts
and community
stakeholders.
Led by the
of this
project
by
making
the
largest
financial
commitment
tothrough
a
health science colleges, the plan evolved and was refined
capital
project
in
U
of
S
history,
and
your
donation
will
move
us
consultation with health regions, health service agencies, SIAST,
toward
our common
goal ofthe
improved
health care
through
the
the University
of Regina,
Saskatchewan
Ministry
of Advanced
completion
of
the
Health
Sciences
project.
The
first
phase
of
a
Education, Employment and Immigration and the Saskatchewan
multi-phased
fundraising
campaign
has
a
goal
of
$12
million
that
Ministry of Health. These groups have a shared vision to ensure
willthis
be used
for
the
completion
of
the
building.
Future
phases
province is home to a leading facility that will provide
willeducation,
raise fundsresearch
to strengthen
interdisciplinary
research,
support
and information
exchange
opportunities
programs
scholarships
for students.
to serveand
theprovide
province
and the nation
for years to come.
How is the Health Sciences project
financially supported?
For More Information:
Council of Health Science Deans Office
University of Saskatchewan
B526 Health Sciences Building
107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N 1K2
Phone: (306) 966-4341
www.usask.ca/healthsciences
17
The Government of Saskatchewan has recognized the importance
D-Wing addition
Research labs/offices
Graduate student space
Meeting rooms and interactive space
Animal research facility
Link to Place Riel/Arts Building tunnel
Expected completion date: mid-2012
Case for support | Health Sciences
E-Wing addition
Social Population Health Research
Permanent Clinical Learning
Resources
ProjectCenter
components
Pharmacy Practice Skills Lab
and timelines
Health Sciences Library
Canadian
for Health and Safety
D-Wing Centre
addition
in Agriculture
Research labs/offices
500-seat
lecture
theatre
and smaller theatre
Graduate
student
space
Meeting
rooms
and
interactive
space
Meeting rooms and interactive
space
LinkAnimal
to dental
clinic, facility
A-Wing and RUH
research
Expected
date:
mid-2013
Link tocompletion
Place Riel/Arts
Building
tunnel
Expected completion date: mid-2012
A-Wing and B-Wing renovations
Renovation
of A-Wing into
E-Wing addition
administration
officesHealth Research
Social Population
Existing
library Clinical
and administrative
Permanent
Learning
offices
converted
to classrooms
Resources
Center
and teaching labs
Pharmacy Practice Skills Lab
B307 renovation to research lab
Health Sciences Library
Theater, interim CLRC and breakout rooms
Canadian Centre for Health and Safety
Expected
completion date: 2015-16
in Agriculture
500-seat lecture theatre and smaller theatre
C-Wing
renovation
Meeting
rooms and interactive space
Student
social
space
Link to
dental
clinic, A-Wing and RUH
Expected
completion
date:
2015-16
Expected
completion
date:
mid-2013
A-Wing and B-Wing renovations
Renovation of A-Wing into
administration offices
Existing library and administrative
offices converted to classrooms
and teaching labs
B307 renovation to research lab
Theater, interim CLRC and breakout rooms
Expected completion date: 2015-16
C-Wing renovation
Student social space
Expected completion date: 2015-16
Case for support
|
Health Sciences
Affairs
Alumni
The College of Dentistry was delighted
to host an Alumni Reception in
Vancouver on March 10, 2011.
Approximately 130 alumni attended
the social that was held during the
annual Pacific Dental Conference, and
everyone had a wonderful time! Take
a look at some of the candid moments
captured on film.
18
Royal College of Dentists of Canada
Dr. Garnet Packota (Class of 1978) is
currently serving a two-year term as
President of the Royal College of Dentists
of Canada (RCDC). At the annual
convocation ceremony of the RCDC
on September 24, 2011, in Winnipeg,
Manitoba, Dr. Packota was delighted and
honoured to confer Fellowships in the
Royal College of Dentists of Canada to
five of our alumni.
(l-r) Dr. Stephen Goth, Dr. Garnet Packota, Dr. Kabir Virdi
Dr. Kabir Virdi (Class of 2003) and
Dr. Stephen Goth (Class of 2005) both
attended the ceremony to receive their
Fellowships in Oral and Maxillofacial
Surgery. Dr. Virdi is currently a parttime faculty member at the University
of Saskatchewan College of Dentistry.
College of Dentistry alumni who
received their Fellowships in absentia
were Dr. Ryan Lacoursiere (Class of
2002) in Orthodontics, Dr. Mark Hopkins
(Class of 2004) in Prosthodontics, and
Dr. Vandna Sharma (Class of 2005) in
Pediatric Dentistry.
The RCDC administers the National
Dental Specialty Examination (NDSE) for
all dental specialties in Canada. Passing
this examination allows a dentist to be
registered as a dental specialist in all
Canadian provinces, as well as renders
him or her eligible to receive Fellowship
in the RCDC. Fellows are entitled to use
the designation FRCD(C) after
their names.
Dr. Packota commented that our College
of Dentistry should take pride in the
current and past successes of our alumni
in passing the NDSE and obtaining
Fellowships in the RCDC.
The next convocation of the RCDC
will take place in Vancouver in
September 2012.
Dr. Kirk Johnston Spirit of Dentistry Memorial Awards
The Dr. Kirk Johnston Spirit of Dentistry
Memorial Awards were established as
a living memory to Dr. Kirk Johnston,
a graduate of the College of Dentistry.
Dr. Johnston passed away unexpectedly
in 1994, just months after graduation.
The Johnston family administers these
awards, which provide scholarship
funds to second-year and third-year
students in the College of Dentistry.
This year’s recipients of the Dr. Kirk
Johnston Spirit of Dentistry Memorial
Awards have indeed demonstrated
Dr. Johnston’s characteristics of
enthusiasm, compassion, and
humanitarianism. Congratulations to
Arjunn Sachdev, Courtney Dirven, and
Russell Butler!
(l-r) Arjunn Sachdev, Courtney Dirven, Russell Butler
19
A Tribute to
Ron Hallam
January 14, 1949 – March 2, 2011
To have met Ron Hallam was a blessing;
to have known him for thirty years was a
privilege; to have been able to call him a
friend was a priceless gift from God. In a
lifetime, we are fortunate if we meet even
a few people on whom we can count for
anything, anytime, anywhere. Ron was one
of those.
In many ways, given his known serious
illness, Ron’s death shouldn’t have been
such a shock. Yet, emotionally, it was.
We all had so wanted and perhaps even
expected that he would get a new heart
and lungs and would thrive once again.
We couldn’t allow ourselves to accept the
possibility that he might not make it. Such
hopeful thinking and its consequences
were described by D. H. Lawrence:
“That is how we are. By strength of will we
cut off our inner intuitive knowledge from
admitted consciousness. This causes a state
of dread, or apprehension, which makes the
blow ten times worse when it does fall.”
The day I first heard the awful news,
following my initial “Oh no!” response and
after getting some details from Ron’s son
Chris on the phone, I sat semi-stunned in
my office, yet at the same time expecting
I could just carry on with routine work. I
was wrong. Thirty minutes later I was at the
Hallams’ condo hugging Linda in disbelief.
Ron was a genuine and unpretentious man.
What you saw was what you got. He often
called a spade a shovel. You didn’t have to
ask him twice for his opinion—in fact, you
usually didn’t have to ask him once! He was
one hundred per cent Ron, the most human
of humans, flawed and perfect at the same
time. Honest, reliable, considerate (well,
most of the time anyway), funny, loving,
and generous. You couldn’t ask for a better
friend, a better husband, a better dad, a
better grandfather, or a better colleague.
Sometimes he could be a bit crusty, but he
had a heart of gold. Ironically, it was that
big heart that gave out too soon. Another
friend, also named Ron, put it this way: “His
heart was as big as he was and he would
offer whatever he had to help friend or
stranger. True friends are a treasure and he
was a treasure.” Yet, while we are quick to
give him credit for making a difference in
our lives, at the same time, we should stop
and take credit for making a difference in
his. Ron Hallam would have been the first
to acknowledge that.
I first met Ron in 1981 when I interviewed
him for a dental technician position at our
College of Dentistry. As a result, I take
unofficial credit for bringing the Hallam
family from Edmonton to Saskatoon! Little
did I know then the huge role he eventually
would play here both in our lives and in
the realms of dental technology and dental
education.
At that time I was fresh out of graduate
school and Ron was just plain fresh! Our
dental abilities grew simultaneously. He
evolved into the most capable dental
technician I’ve experienced and for that
earned the respect of his peers. He put
in his ten thousand hours and became an
expert in his field, then built his business
from scratch. This was not surprising
because he put his heart into everything
he did, whether work or play. He didn’t
just exist for sixty-two years; he really lived
those sixty-two years!
Our phone conversations (to some
they may have appeared to be heated
discussions) about patients’ dental work
were not infrequent. When Roma would
answer the phone and I’d ask, “Is the
Muppet available?,” I’m sure she rolled her
eyes and muttered, “Here we go again!”
before handing Ron the phone. While he’d
be growling on one end of the phone, “You
20
expect miracles every bleeping time!,”
I have no doubt his staff was heads down,
pretending they were not listening. On
the other end I’d be saying something like,
“Ron, I have faith that you can make the
necessary adjustments” while my staff too
were most likely taking in every word while
to all appearances busy doing something
else. He’d tell me at first that there was
no way in hell to do what I was asking
yet, without exception, he’d then proceed
to find a way to do it. It was a ritual
that invariably worked out well for our
patients over the years and it undoubtedly
entertained our staffs as well.
Ronnie had a great sense of humour and a
real sense of the ridiculous. Above all, he
could laugh at himself and often did. We
frequently laughed to the point of tears,
and until our sides ached. One of my
enduring memories will be of Ron holding
his glasses in one hand and wiping his eyes
with the other, doubled over in the sheer
joy of the moment.
He thoroughly enjoyed playing golf, and
especially loved to compete in the annual
Kent McLeod Memorial Classic tournament.
Hallam Dental Esthetics was always a title
sponsor. He was especially thrilled in 2004,
the year we won the tournament! That
year Ron, his son Chris, and I along with
Marcel Doucette were on one team and his
other son Mike and Mike’s buddies were
on another. (Oh how he enjoyed beating
Mike’s team, even though that was rare!)
That tourney also particularly stands
out because it was the year when our
secret weapon was Chris’s “birdie juice,”
Butterscotch Ripple liqueur, which we
passed around after each birdie. Chris was
driving the ball a mile, I was making some
chip shots, and Ron was putting the lights
out while our fourth man, Marcel, was
making his share of shots but had the more
The following eulogy was delivered by Dr. Ken Sutherland
at the funeral of Ron Hallam on March 7, 2011.
important role of “Guardian of the Ripple.”
When Chris hit his approach shots onto
the greens that day, usually pretty close
to the pins, he’d then say to me, “Tighten
it up, Suds, tighten it up,” and a few times
that day I actually did hit it closer to the
pin. Then Ron would roll in the putts. The
good news was that we birdied thirteen
of the first fifteen holes; the not-so-good
news was that such performance required
us to each drink thirteen shots of birdie
juice. ( At that point, the approach shots
weren’t the only things that were tight!)
On the last three holes, Chris’s drives
weren’t soaring quite so far and quite so
accurately while my approach shots were
no longer even reaching the greens, let
alone tight to the pin (because by that time
we were all pinned ourselves). But when
we finally got onto those last three greens,
Ron hammered home three consecutive
long putts to save par, complete with a
resounding fist pump and swagger each
time and, of course, his trademark grin! He
was justifiably proud of our victory that day,
and the memory remains indelible.
A final golf note: I’ll admit that Ron really
was an outstanding putter, but he had a
distinct advantage. Forgive me for saying
so, but because he was short, his eyes
were much closer to the ball. The golf ball
was practically at eye level for him! He
wasn’t cheating; he was just short. In fact,
whenever he hit a shot in the rough, it was
like a scene from the movie Honey, I Shrunk
the Kids! He had to jump up and down just
to see over the tall blades of grass! The
boys and I had to use our club heads to
push the grass aside so he could see the
flags! But I digress.
Ron’s life was very full; full of richness and
texture; full of work and family, family and
work. Ten – to twelve-hour work days were
not uncommon, often six days a week,
doing what he had to do and what he loved
to do. His family was with him at work and
as soon as work was done, family was front
and centre.
You can’t pay tribute to Ron without also
paying tribute to Linda, the absolute centre
of his life. She was his touchstone, and their
relationship was seamless. I don’t believe
either one of them could be bothered to
remember life before they met. Where
Linda stopped Ron started, and vice versa.
She was the brains and he was the brainless
(just kidding, Ron!). She has a quiet inner
strength that she used to bear the burden
of Ron’s failing health. And although she
rarely mentioned it, she herself was dealing
with cancer at the same time. We want you
to know that we are all here for you, Linda.
Ron and Linda not only were a great
couple; they were great parents, too! They
believed that raising kids was one of the
main reasons we are put here on this
Earth. Ron might himself criticize their
sons, but he wouldn’t tolerate anyone else
saying anything negative about Mike or
Chris. And proud of them! The sun rose
and set on those boys and, later, on their
daughters-in-law, Lisa and Tara. That pride
hit an unprecedented level when the
grandchildren came along. To suggest that
beautiful little Miko and Kashius formed
the soul of the family universe is the
understatement of understatements. And
Ron lived to love them both.
Sidney Poitier wrote that the true measure
of a man is how well he takes care of
his family. By that yardstick Ron Francis
Hallam measured large, because no one
could possibly have taken better care of
his family. His family was his life: golfing,
camping, skiing, fishing, Christmases in
Canmore (he loved it when Mike played the
guitar and they all sang), watching the boys
play sports. Ron and Linda gave their sons
opportunity, encouragement, love, and
21
themselves as fine examples, precious gifts
that allowed Mike and Chris to succeed in
their own rights. They in turn will do the
same for their children and so those gifts
will keep on giving for all time.
When all is said and done, what really
matters in life is not wealth, or power, or
possessions. What matters is making a
difference in your brief time on Earth. Ron
made an inestimable difference in the lives
of everyone he knew, friends and family
alike, and also in the many lives he touched
through his profession. When you became
his friend, you became a part of his family.
What more could you ask?
Consolation can seem scarce when
someone truly great and deeply loved
passes away. Certainly, the world won’t
be the same without Ron. But know this
in your heart of hearts: Ron is not truly
gone. He lives on, in our memories and
in our actions. Knowing him has added
something significant to our lives and his
influence has changed each of us in some
unique way. That part of him which went
on to become a part of each of us lives on,
and will continue to live on both in us and
in the people we influence.
We mourn because we must. It’s how we
cope. So take time to mourn. But when
you are ready, start celebrating Ron and all
he meant to you. Eventually, celebration
will overtake mourning. Ron is now at
peace, and eventually we will be at peace
with his passing.
Fond farewell, my friend. We miss you
already. Thank you for everything. See you
on the other side.
Dr. Ken Sutherland
Class of 1977
2010
2011
Where Are They Now?
With interest we follow the professional lives
of the graduating class of 2011:
Scholar
Year 1
Tyson Allred – GPR, Calgary, AB
Allison Atchison – Private Practice, Martensville
David Baker – Private Practice, Whitehorse, NT
Mark Berscheid – Private Practice, Saskatoon
Meghan Betnar – Private Practice, Estevan
Srdjan Dautbegovic – Private Practice, Regina
Chris Dinh – Private Practice, Ottawa
Michael Gavelis – Private Practice, Saskatoon
Jenna Gogolinski – Private Practice, Prince Albert
Lance Huber – Private Practice, Kelowna, BC
Joonyoung Ji – Dental Anaesthesia, University of Toronto
Eric Knouse – Private Practice, Regina
Crystal Krasilowez – Private Practice, Prince Albert
Jill Kulyk – Private Practice, Warman
Leemai Lafontaine – Private Practice, Regina
Brett Langill – Private Practice, Regina
Jin Hwa Lee – Private Practice, Alberta
Jennifer Li – Private Practice, Calgary, AB
Shawn Mamer – Private Practice, Saskatoon
Nicole Povey – Private Practice, Saskatoon
Chelsea Price – Private Practice, Ottawa
Jolanta Przepiorka – Private Practice, Calgary, AB
Sean St. Marie – Private Practice, Saskatoon
Chad Stoll – Private Practice, Melfort
Sok Sun – Private Practice, Regina
Mark Talbot – Private Practice, Regina
Chester Young – Private Practice, Lloydminster, AB
College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan Scholarship
Johnny Tran
Dental Anatomy Award
Johnny Tran
Dr. Komiyama Bird Man Award in Infection Control
Kimberley Semchuk
Dr. Steve Yaholnitsky Memorial Scholarship
Kris Marshall
Kent McLeod Memorial Scholarship
Danielle Vanchu
University of Saskatchewan Undergraduate Scholarship
Kimberley Semchuk
Year 2
Anthony A. Blasko Memorial Scholarship Courtney Dirven
College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan Scholarships
Michael Rieben / Emily Feldhoff
Alumni Publications
Dr. Kirk Johnston Spirit of Dentistry Memorial Award
Arjunn Sachdev / Courtney Dirven
Congratulations to Dr. Richard Halpern (Class of 2007)
for co-authoring the following two articles:
Joseph Vickar Prize in Dentistry Emily Feldhoff
Halpern R. and Noble J. “Location and Presence of
Permanent Teeth in a Complete Bilateral Cleft Lip
and Palate Population.” The Angle Orthodontist,
May 2010; 80(3): 591-596.
Kent McLeod Memorial Scholarship
Amy Leclerc
Professors’ Prize in Pharmacology
Sarah Gallagher
University of Saskatchewan Undergraduate Scholarship
Sarah Gallagher
V. M. Jackman Scholarship Courtney Dirven
Western Canadian Dental Society /
Walter F. Hancock Scholarship
Ryan Gallagher
Halpern R. and Rouleau T. “The Effect of Air Abrasion
Preparation on the Shear Bond Strength of an
Orthodontic Bracket Bonded to Enamel.” European
Journal of Orthodontics, April 2010; 32(2): 224-227.
Congratulations to Dr. Tanya Rouleau (Class of 2007)
for co-authoring the following article:
Guinn A., Rouleau T., and Brennan M. “Burning
Tongue and Lips.” The Journal of the American Dental
Association, May 2010; 141(5): 541-545.
22
ships & Awards
Year 3
College of
Dentistry
Year 4
3M Canada Scholarship in Restorative
Arthur Singer Memorial Award
Dentistry
Lauren Bull
David Baker
Bisco Canada Peer Award
Academy of General Dentistry Senior
Taneil Barlow
Student Award
Meghan Betnar
College of Dental Surgeons of
Saskatchewan Dr. George Peacock Award
Alpha Omega Scholarship Award
Jay Lalli
Mike Gavelis
College of Dental Surgeons of
American Academy of Craniofacial Pain
Saskatchewan Scholarship
Senior Student Award
Michael McKee
David Baker
Dr. Sydney Gelmon Memorial Fund American Academy of Implant Dentistry
Dan Truong
Student Award
Ashley Neumeier
Meghan Betnar
Elsevier Canada Book Award
American Academy of Operative Dentistry
Jason Hoium
Eric Knouse
International College of Dentists
American Academy of Oral and
Scholarship (Canadian Section)
Maxillofacial Pathology Dental
Kris Currie
Student Award
Jenna Gogolinski
Kent McLeod Memorial Scholarship
Alan Chernosky
American Academy of Oral and
Maxillofacial Radiology, Radiology
Kirk Johnston Spirit of Dentistry
Achievement Award
Memorial Award
David Baker
Russell Butler
American Association of Endodontists
Student Achievement Award in
Endodontics
David Baker
American Association of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental Implant
Student Award
Christopher Dinh
American Association of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgeons Dental
Student Award
Chad Stoll
American Association of Oral Biologists
Oral Biology Award
Brett Langill
American Association of Orthodontists
Senior Student Award
Mike Gavelis
American Association of Public Health
Dentistry AAPHD Dental Student
Recognition Award
Leemai Lafontaine
Canadian Academy of
Periodontology Award
Meghan Betnar
American Academy of Oral Medicine
University of Saskatchewan Scholarship
Pierre Fauchard Academy Student
Certificate of Merit and Award
Lauren Bull
Scholarship Award
in Oral Medicine
Eric Knouse
Brett Langill
V. M. Jackman Scholarship Jill Kulyk
Gregory Little
American Academy of Orofacial Pain
Pierre Fauchard Senior Student
Outstanding Senior AwardUndergraduate Award of Recognition
W. A. Cotter Award
Jolanta Przepiorka
(awarded at Fall Welcome)
Jin Hwa Lee
Jason Hoium
American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry,
Quintessence Book Awards
Certificate of Merit AAPD Predoctoral
Periodontics: Jolanta Przepiorka
Student Award
Restorative: David Baker
Meghan Betnar
Research: Mike Gavelis
American Academy of Periodontology
Student Award in Periodontology
Mike Gavelis
23
Saskatchewan Chapter of the
Canadian Society of Dentistry
for Children Book Award Meghan Betnar
Journey
The
The following address was presented by Dr. Dean Kolbinson, keynote speaker at the Class of 2010 Graduation Banquet.
Graduation from dental school is a significant moment in every dentist’s life. The events of convocation usually cause
new graduates to be thrilled and emotional on the actual occasion, at least a bit nostalgic about the journey leading up
to that moment, and particularly excited (and perhaps slightly anxious) about the future. It is a time when graduates
are reminded that they are well grounded by their families and their education; they also are reminded and are asked to
remember that learning never ends, and that they now have a responsibility to use their degrees for the betterment of
their patients, their profession, and society in general. Inevitably, though, the further we move away from convocation
day, those reminders may fade and may take on different meanings for different individuals. The parable that follows
might help keep those insights and the idealism of convocation alive, for both new and “old” grads, long after other
details of the day itself have faded from memory.
This is just a little story, but it’s about a big
adventure. It is dedicated to the graduating
classes of 2008 and 2010, College of
Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan,
and also to all dentists who can recall their
graduation day.
All members of a College of Dentistry
graduating class are seated at one great
round table with family, friends, and
colleagues, celebrating this outstanding
achievement in their lives. The table is on
a magnificent mountaintop, under warm
sunshine and amid refreshing breezes.
Everyone is happy, almost everyone is
laughing, and life feels wonderful! The
graduates start reminiscing, and while
reflecting on the journey that has brought
them to where they are now, they wander
over to a lookout site a short distance away.
Down at the base of the mountain, they see
the path through the single gateway below
which together they all entered four years
ago. Once inside that gate and moving up
the mountain, however, what was a single
pathway diverges into many. Some of the
paths appear to take a fairly direct upward
route; others branch off sideways and
disappear from sight altogether. From their
high lookout site, the graduates eventually
realize that they actually are looking at
dozens, even hundreds of paths that began
as one but then take entirely and even
wildly different courses before eventually
converging into a single path again, this time
at the top of the mountain, the path that
moves through the gateway of graduation.
The new young dentists gaze silently down
at what appear to be almost myriad different
paths. Clearly, no two students — including
those in the many classes who had gone
before them — had followed exactly the
same track. They observe that some routes
are relatively straight and smooth-looking,
while others appear rougher and rockier.
They can see that some paths meander
through pleasant areas, through beautiful
mountain meadows and hills alive with
music. Often, in those places, love seems to
be in the air, with a suggestion of marriages;
even of baby carriages! The laughter of
good times can still faintly be heard, where
those pathways weave.
But the new dentists also see low dark
valleys where the paths all but disappear
into a fog. Again, they seem to hear faint
sounds, but these are of fear and panic, and
with them come haunting memories of latenight panics over term papers, the Triple
O oral exam, board exams – the times of
anxiety, pessimism, self-doubt.
Looking still more carefully, the graduates
notice that virtually all of the paths sooner
or later, albeit for longer or shorter times,
move through both of those extremes
of experience. Everyone at some point
traversed dismal zones and was threatened
24
by quicksand, switchbacks, and even
avalanches, but those paths always moved
back into sunshine and merry meadows
again; the light and warmth and laughter
of the many good times at the College, the
encouraging camaraderie amongst students
and profs and staff, the unexpected happy
events, the celebrations of all kinds—the
good times. They also realize that since
there are hundreds of trails leading up from
that gate, others have climbed this mountain
before them and left tracks that probably
made the way easier for all those who
followed.
Finally, those looking down notice that at
many points paths overlap one another for
longer or shorter distances, and it’s obvious
that one of two things happened in those
places: either someone saw what appeared
to be a wise path and decided to step into
and follow those very footprints, or — and
most likely — someone “carried” someone
else for awhile. Seeing that brings memories
of pushing themselves and of pushing each
other through the rain and the wind and
the heat and the snow; through the highs
and the lows. They also recall, with a strong
surge of gratitude, the many times they
were helped up and over especially tough
blocks and obstacles, by parents and other
family, by spouses, by friends, by staff, and
by professors. They realize that without that
help, they would never have made it to the
top of the mountain!
Thinking about that journey to this
mountaintop has made the class of
graduates a bit weary, so they move back to
the celebration table, to the refreshments,
to the many guests. But they’ve just begun
to relax when they begin to hear voices
from somewhere down below, and realize
that another group — the next class of
graduates — has begun the trek up from the
bottom of the mountain! Eventually that
class will want to celebrate at this table, and
they themselves, now alumni, must make
space for them by moving on. Not everyone
is happy about this, because despite their
new diplomas, the future is a big unknown!
Someone spots another lookout site, this
one apparently facing an entirely different
direction. So they hurry over to check out
that view.
What a jaw-dropping landscape! Mountain
peak after beautiful mountain peak, ringed
with forests, meadows, and lakes; all bathed
in sunshine . . . fantastic! Someone sees
a spectacular mountain not too far away
and says, “That’s where I’m headed. That’s
my Mount Kilimanjaro!” Another says,
“I’m picking that one a bit further away
— it looks like the right one for me. That’s
my Mount Everest.” Some see attractive
destinations so close they can almost reach
out and touch them, and sense that they
won’t need to travel far to find the lives they
want. Others set their sights on places much
further away.
But those destinations are accessible only
through yet another and nearby gate, and
the graduates realize that passing through
that gate clearly is the essential next part
of their journeys. As they move toward
that gate, they see that stacked against the
gatepost is a pile of backpacks, each labeled
with the name of a class member. Everyone
finds his or her own pack and somewhat
apprehensively opens it. Inside they find
the essence of all they’ve learned up to this
point about life, about themselves, and
about dentistry; many of those the unique
experiences and lessons learned during the
incredible journey up the mountain. There
are many treasures inside including special
GPSs and two-way communicators directly
linking them to their classmates, to their
families and friends, to colleagues and staff
and teachers back at the College, to other
colleagues who have gone through this
next gate before them, and even to people
and places they haven’t yet met and can’t
even imagine. Yet despite all of that, there
remains plenty of space left in the packs, and
a note explaining that this now-empty space
is reserved for the many things they have yet
to learn — and that this part of the pack can
never get full!
Together, the grads start trying to imagine
just when and where and under what
circumstances they’ll need to reach into
those packs. Certainly, the contents will
be directly useful for helping to remember
the many lessons learned in the classroom
and in the lab and in the field. But they
also begin to imagine other less “practical”
times when they might want to reach into
the packs for advice and reassurance. They
realize they are at the threshold of a place
where codes of professional conduct and
codes of ethics are more than just words
written on paper or recited aloud; that those
are words that they must try to live by. But
what happens when “doing the right thing”
might be extremely difficult, or even might
seem like the wrong course of action? And
it is a place where two “bottom lines” must
harmoniously co-exist — the financial one
(everyone wants/deserves to make a good
living, don’t they?) and the “make the world
around me a better place” bottom line.
While standing there at the gate, the grads
speculate that although maintaining the
first of those bottom lines will probably
be relatively straightforward, holding to
the latter one won’t always be easy and
might be a challenge to self-honesty. This
might involve giving every patient from
every background and age group the
respect and attention he or she deserves,
or taking a little extra time with a patient
who needs someone to talk to; it might
mean a personal commitment to keep
learning and consistently trying to become
a better dentist; it might mean freely
offering time for helping with local dental
societies and participating in the profession
in other ways, or helping with community
initiatives such as kids’ sports teams, or
giving back in a variety of ways to the
College of Dentistry. They will learn that
the backpacks will at times be a valuable
resource toward maintaining this important
second line, which among other benefits will
offer the satisfaction of being confidently
accountable to the public and to the
profession, and of looking in the mirror each
night and knowing they’ve stayed true to
that convocation ideal of making a real and
25
positive difference in people’s lives.
As everyone swings his or her backpack
into position and adjusts the straps in
preparation for the journey ahead, they
begin to notice the terrain on the other side
of this third gate. More pathways, and just
like those on the other side of the mountain,
some appear straight and smooth and
sometimes narrow; others look rough and
rocky. There are some sharp curves on steep
uphill grades — there had been quite a few
of these on the way up, and often they were
places where they’d needed and gotten
help from others. But now that they will be
taking very separate paths as they move
into the future, how will they get over and
around these rough spots and keep from
sliding back down? Then someone said,
“The backpacks!” So they set off yet again,
and even when the pathways diverge and
no one else is in sight, they can reach into
their backpacks for help when they need it.
Finally, life really has begun!
Time passes, and eventually all of the
members of that class reach their first
destinations. Yet before long, many find
themselves gazing off longingly at what
appear to be even more magnificent
summits. Still others are perfectly content
and remain settled at those first places
where they arrived. Some will continue
relocating for a long time and even
throughout their entire careers; others will
stay in one place. What’s most important
is that everyone looks happy and satisfied
because, indeed, dentistry is a great career!
The wisest among them, including both
those who like to be on the move and those
who find places that feel right and stay
there, never forget their ascent up that first
mountain. They appreciate the many lessons
learned, and feel gratitude for everything
that happened and toward everyone who
helped them on that beginning leg of the
journey. And while their own journeys
continue, and with time they perhaps reach
less frequently into those backpacks, they
also realize that others are only beginning
that time of passage and may need help and
should be offered help, along the way. In
such moments of reflection, looking at both
the long way they’ve come and also into the
future ahead, most of them simply will smile
. . . they just can’t help but smile.
Dean Kolbinson
Class of 1980
Student Affairs Officer
and Patient Advocate
Sheldon Cousins
The College is pleased to welcome Sheldon
Cousins into a newly created position,
that of Student Affairs Officer and Patient
Advocate. Sheldon comes to the position
with over twenty years’ experience as a
social worker specialized in working with
the elderly, recipients of public assistance,
and, more recently, college students.
Dr. Carlos Ochoa-Suarez
Dr. Kabir Virdi
After nearly 15 years of teaching dental students, Dr. Myles
MacLennan (Class of 1991) left the College in December
2010 to work full-time in his private practice in downtown
Saskatoon. We wish to thank him for his committed
service to the undergraduate program and remind him
that, although he is no longer regularly at the College, we
will continue to look forward to his entertaining write-ups
reporting on the annual student vs. professors/alumni
hockey games!
In his role as the College’s Student Affairs
Officer, Sheldon will receive and work
(in a confidential environment) with
students’ concerns and issues regarding
academic performance as well as their
interpersonal relationships with patients,
staff, faculty, and peers.
The College has bid farewell to Dr. Tracey Clark (Class of
1996), who left in June 2011 to pursue full-time private
practice. Although she will be missed by faculty, staff, and
students alike, we wish her every success for the future.
As a Patient Advocate, Sheldon’s focus
will be on patient complaints, as well as
providing services in situations involving
facilitating counselling for our patients and
linking them with needed non-oral-health
resources that cannot be provided by
the College.
Dr. Carlos Ochoa-Suarez has been at the College since
September 2010 in a term position as an Assistant
Professor in endodontics. Previously, Dr. Ochoa had
held an Assistant Professor position for eleven years
at Pontificia University Javeriana School of Dentistry
in Bogota, Columbia, where he excelled in the areas of
microscopy and microsurgery in both undergraduate
and specialty endodontic programs. He also served
as Chairman of the Department of Endodontics at the
university in Bogota. Dr. Ochoa has authored and coauthored articles for numerous scientific publications
throughout his career. His energy for and commitment
to the profession have earned him great respect among
colleagues and students.
Sheldon also will be developing a new
section of our dental practice management
curriculum aimed at enhancing student/
practitioner interactions with patients.
Students will interact with patient
actors to better learn the skills of patient
communication including solving complex
treatment issues.
26
Faculty Focus
Dr. Darcy Allen
Dr. Assem Hedayat
Dr. Alan Heinrichs
Dr. Vincent Torresyap
Dr. Azita Zerehgar
Dr. Alan Heinrichs (Class of 1981) has come back to the College as
an Assistant Professor in a half-time term position in the general
dentistry clinical setting effective July 2011. To this point, Dr.
Heinrichs has spent his entire professional career in private practice.
He has a natural gift for teaching, and his wealth of knowledge will
add depth to our clinical programs.
The College welcomed back Dr. Kabir Virdi (Class of 2003)
in January 2011 as a half-time Assistant Professor in oral and
maxillofacial surgery. After graduating from the College eight
years ago, Dr. Virdi upheld his three-year military commitment
before being accepted into the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
program at Loyola University Medical Centre in Chicago. He is
currently involved in two research projects; one involving total TMJ
replacement and the other, alternative anaesthesia techniques. His
enthusiasm in teaching dentistry students clearly shows!
Dr. Vincent Torresyap has accepted a full-time tenure-track position
at the College as an Assistant Professor in prosthodontics effective
July 2011. Dr. Torresyap received his dental degree from the
University of the East College of Dentistry in Manila, Philippines; his
Masters in Health Services Administration from Ateneo De Manila
University, Makati, Philippine; and his Certificate in Advanced
Prosthodontics from the University of Southern California in Los
Angeles, CA. While at USC he was awarded the Max Sosin Endowed
Scholarship, which recognized his excellence in clinical dentistry.
Dr. Torresyap is dedicated and passionate in his teaching of
prosthodontics.
Dr. Darcy Allen (Class of 2004) returned to the College in July
2011 to a full-time term position as an Assistant Professor in
general dentistry. Dr. Allen’s main focus will be in preclinical fixed,
removable, and operative, along with teaching occlusion in Term 2.
His unfortunate hockey accident has benefited the College and in
the short time that he has been here, he has demonstrated passion
about his profession and shares his enthusiasm with the students.
Dr. Assem Hedayat joined the College in July 2011 as an Assistant
Professor in a half-time term position to teach biomaterials and,
more recently, as a Course Coordinator for DENT 210 and DENT 310
Dental Research. Dr. Hedayat received his MSc in Metallurgy from
the Georgia Institute of Technology and his PhD in Biomaterials
from Michigan State University. His research interests are focused
on promoting research in the area of biomaterials between the
Colleges of Dentistry and Engineering, and he encourages our
faculty to join him in pursuing research work on materials’ bonding,
interfaces, and the development of advanced materials, devices,
and components.
The College welcomed Dr. Azita Zerehgar in July 2011 as an
Assistant Professor in a full-time term position in pediatric dentistry.
Dr. Zerehgar received her dental degree from the Dental School
of Tehran University of Medical Sciences and her MSc in Pediatric
Dentistry from the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences,
Tehran, Iran. Since becoming a board-certified pediatric dentist
in Iran in 1996 she has engaged in a wide variety of professionally
related activities in teaching and research, and is now looking
forward to playing a role in improving the dental health of
Canadians.
27
Our Dental Family
Tahrenbenjamin
and Devan
Dhesi
blake & Madison
Adita Gupta
Beekman Family
Benjamin Yaremko
Jacob and Kensley Soroski
Simone Rabuka
Kealani Lafontaine
Reid Goth
Hudson Low
Sandeep Dhesi (Class of 2001) and wife
Gurinder Bains welcomed Tahren Dhesi
on April 8, 2010, in Houston, Texas—little
brother to Devan.
Manasa Chandramohan (Class of 2005)
and husband Deepak Srinivasagupta are
pleased to announce the arrival of their son
Aditya Gupta, born in April 2010.
Brent Yaremko (Class of 2006) and wife
Sarah were blessed with a new addition
to their family, Benjamin Mike, on April 22,
2011.
Twins! Matt Soroski (Class of 2007) and
Stephanie Soroski (Class of 2008) are
ecstatic to announce the arrivals of Jacob
Robert James and Kenley Roberta Lucille,
born January 12, 2011.
Kamea Jr. would like to introduce his baby
sister, Kealani Tia Shavron Lafontaine—
born January 13, 2011, to Kamea (Leemai)
Lafontaine (Class of 2011) and wife
Rosanna.
Reid Robert was welcomed with love on
March 10, 2011, by Robert Goth (Class of
2012), wife Anna, and big sister Sophie.
28
Congratulations to Sandi EndersbyBeekman (Class of 2005) and husband
Richard on the birth of their twin daughters,
Myka Dianna and Devyn Danielle, on July
22, 2010—baby sisters to big brother Jayce
and big sisters Ryan and Brynn.
It’s a girl! Simone Louise Rabuka was born
August 27, 2010, to proud parents Carman
Rabuka (Class of 2007) and wife Esther.
Brad Low (Class of 2013), wife Caylee, and
big brothers Berkley and Walker welcomed
the newest addition to the family—Hudson
Marshall—on April 20, 2010.
Reunion News
Class of 1976
The Class of 1976 held its thirty-five year
reunion in Regina in September 2011.
The group gathered in conjunction
with the annual Scientific Session of
the College of Dental Surgeons of
Saskatchewan where Dr. Joel Epstein of
Los Angeles, one of the class members,
was the keynote speaker.
Ten of the original class of fifteen
were present at the reunion dinner on
September 15. Those in attendance
remembered classmate Dr. Lloyd
Orthner, who passed away in 2006.
They were honoured that Lynn (Orthner)
Schmidt joined the class and shared
news and photos of her family and
grandchildren. Although most of the
class continue to work (in Saskatchewan,
Alberta, and the United States),
they look forward to having joined
classmates Dane Moore and Dena Rak
in retirement when the class celebrates
its forty-year reunion!
Class of 1990
Eleven of the nineteen graduates of the
College of Dentistry’s Class of 1990 met
for a memorable twenty-year reunion
weekend in August 2010, at Kananaskis
resort southwest of Calgary. Several
spouses came along for the weekend,
too. Even though Western Canada
was under a heavy cover of forest fire
smoke, the weather at Kananaskis was
pleasant and the air was reasonably
clear. Classmates came from all over
Canada to renew friendships and laugh
29
about the good and the not-so-good
times they all shared between 1985
and 1990. A fun time was had by all,
whether golfing, hiking, swimming,
lounging by the pool, eating, drinking,
or visiting. The class greatly appreciated
the efforts of Jennifer and Ken Moore in
organizing the reunion, and plans are
already underway for a twenty-fifth-year
get-together—maybe even at Jennifer
and Ken’s place in Hawaii!
college of dentistry gift form
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Janet Sklarchuk
College of Dentistry
University of Saskatchewan
Room 332, Dental Clinic Building
105 Wiggins Road
Saskatoon SK S7N 5E4
As the purse is emptied, the heart is filled.
—Victor Hugo
Charitable donations play a very important role in assisting the College of Dentistry to maintain and expand its
30 students and patient-care in the community.
standard of excellence in education of our dental
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change of address—please let us know. We will update our records and put your news in the appropriate
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31
College of Dentistry • University of Saskatchewan
Dental Clinic Building • 105 Wiggins Road • Saskatoon SK S7N 5E4
Telephone: (306) 966-5121 • Fax: (306) 966-5132 • E-mail: janet.sklarchuk@usask.ca
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