The Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences held its annual White Coat Ceremony on September 11, 2024. The ceremony marks a pivotal transition into clinical practice for the Doctor of Dental Medicine program Class of 2026. This year, the event featured an inspiring address to the Class of 2026 from Dr. Ivy Lin DMD'17, Acting Assistant Professor in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the School of Dentistry of the University of Washington, who spoke about her passion for advocating climate action in dentistry and the importance of mentorship in shaping her career.
Dean Elham Emami emphasized the profound commitment embodied in the white coat, urging students to uphold the highest standards of patient care. "Our white coat, a universal emblem of medical professionalism, symbolizes a commitment to ethical standards in healthcare. This symbol unites us in our dedication to providing the highest quality care to every patient, regardless of their background, socio-economic status, or personal circumstances."
Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs Dr. Nathalie Morin donned the coats on most of the students. For the students who had a physician or dentist parent present they were given the opportunity to don the coat on their child, making this symbolic moment even more meaningful.听
Following the donning of the white coats, donor-funded awards recognizing the academic excellence of students and a teaching award were handed out. Dr. Firoozeh Samim, Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and EDI, was given the 2024 Dr. Ralph Silverstone Teaching Award for outstanding contributions by a clinical or laboratory supervisor who teaches in the DMD program. Special thanks was given to Pantops Orthodontics, whose sponsorship of the event helped make the celebration possible.
As the Class of 2026 donned their white coats and recited their pledge, they entered the next stage of their journey filled with promise, and ready to embrace the challenges of dental medicine.
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DEAN鈥橲 HONOUR LIST
DMD Class of 2027
- Marie Joe Abou Monsef,
- Neos Dionisopoulos,
- Mustafa Jubain,
- Daphne Richard,
- Mitchell Samaan
- Golnaz Zahedi-Niaki,
DMD Class of 2026
- Aliceson Drollette,
- Jacqueline Hsiao,
- Kevin Liu,
- Matan Tordjman,
- Stephanie Zhou
DMD Class of 2025
- Ashima Razdan,
- Kaitlin Chow,
- Micaela Buchbinder Rubinstein,
- Vishwendra Singh,
- Quentin Basiren
Class of 2028 awards
Yasmina Di Lullo
Dr. Yu-Ming Lam Scholarship established by 颅Dr. Yu鈥慚ing Lam DDS'72 and family in honour of Mr. Yin鈥態un Lam, for students entering the DMD 颅program
Garth Griffiths
Leo Paul Ramsay Major Entrance Scholarship听
Roopan Garcha
Dr. Harry Rosen Entrance Scholarship established by A. Bram Appel BCom'35, and Bluma Appel, in honour of the late Harry Rosen, DDS'53,听Professor Emeritus, awarded to an outstanding student entering the DMD program
Class of 2027 awards
Mustafa Jubain
Dr. Earl Lerner Faculty Scholarship established by Dr. Earl Lerner DDS'63, awarded on the basis of high academic achievement
Danielle Nguyen
Dr. M. Donigan Prize for highest overall standing in Dentistry Apprenticeship I
Justin Menard (renewed)
Ping Kwan Lau Scholarship established by Arthur Lau, B.Arch'62 and family in memory of his father, Ping Kwan Lau, for students entering the DMD program and听 awarded on the basis of high academic achievement
Daphne Richard (renewed)
Phyllis Butterworth Major Entrance Scholarship awarded on the basis of high academic achievement听
Class of 2025 awards
Munzer Alkourdi
Pierre Fauchard Academy Leadership Award established by the Pierre Fauchard Academy in memory of Dr. Gerald Dushkin DDS'79 for students demonstrating leadership and good academic standing
Quentin Basiren
Rena and Mervyn Gornitsky Scholarship in Dentistry established by Rena Gornitsky BCom'53, and the late Mervyn Gornitsky BSc'51, DDS'53, Professor Emeritus, awarded to an undergraduate student in the DMD program who has demonstrated exceptional academic performance and initiative in the area of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Dr. Robert Axelrad Award established by the family and friends of Dr. Robert Axelrad, awarded to a student in good academic standing who has demonstrated exceptional warmth and empathy towards patients
Micaela Buchbinder Rubinstein
Dr. Gerald Franklin Prize for highest overall standing in the third year of the DMD program听
Dr. David I. Hirsch Award in Orthodontics, awarded on the basis of academic excellence and leadership in Orthodontics and has achieved the highest cumulative grade in the Orthodontic courses听
Kaitlin Chow
International College of Dentists Prize, awarded for having achieved second highest standing in the third year of the DMD program
Dr. Philip J. and Mrs. Stella Gitnick Prize established by Barbara Gitnick BSc'70, DDS'78, in honour of her late parents Philip J. Gitnick DDS'35 and Stella Gitnic, awarded to an outstanding student entering the fourth year of the DMD program and who has achieved the highest standing in the area of Periodontology
Dr. Harry Rosen Entrance Scholarship (renewed) established by A. Bram Appel BCom'35, and Bluma Appel in honour of the late Harry Rosen, DDS'53, Professor Emeritus, awarded to an outstanding student entering the DMD program and renewable听
Gucci Ding
Dr. L.A. Cohn Prize, awarded on the basis of highest standing in Restorative Dentistry in the third year of the DMD program
Dr. Ernest R. Ambrose Scholarship in Dentistry established in 2001 by Doreen Laszlo BEd'62, DDS'69, and Charles A. Laszlo, BEng'61, MEng'66, PhD'68, to honour Dr. Ernest R. Ambrose DDS'50, a distinguished graduate, professor and former Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry. Awarded to an outstanding undergraduate student who has demonstrated common sense, compassion, and excellence in restorative dentistry.
Sophia Ghiassi
Dr. William Boroff Scholarship in Dentistry established through gifts from family and the 海角社区 Dentistry Class of 1973 on their 30th anniversary to honour the memory of their classmate, Dr. William Boroff. Awarded to a student in the DMD program who has demonstrated outstanding qualities of character, perseverance, and sportsmanship.
Amanda Janes
Dr. James E.G. Harrison Scholarship in Dentistry established by James E.G. Harrison DDS'51, awarded to a DMD student who demonstrates a firm commitment to the ethical practice of dentistry in interactions with patients and colleagues or in essays on professional conduct and responsibilities
Eric Krochmalnek
Dr. 鈥淔lin鈥� Flanagan Award for Physical Health and Wellness established by Lloyd Flanagan, DDS'84, Dr. James Terence Flanagan, DDS'82, and Dr. Rochelle Flanagan, DMD'19 in loving memory of their grandfather and great-grandfather, Dr. I. Cyril (Flin) Flanagan DDS'23. Awarded to one or more students who best exemplify the promotion of physical activity and wellness.
Ashima Razdan
Dr. Lyman E. Francis Prize for highest standing in the subjects of Dental Pharmacology, Oral Pathology, Medicine and Image Interpretation
Dr. Stanley S. Blum Award, awarded to one or more DMD students with a demonstrated interest and excellence in restorative dentistry
Vishwendra Singh
Dr. H. and Dr. S. Greenwald Award for Professionalism, awarded to a student who exemplifies the values of professionalism including honesty, integrity, respect, responsibility, accountability, commitment to self-improvement and collaboration.
Class of 2026 awards
Aliceson Drollette
Dr. I.K. Lowry Prize for highest overall standing in the Support Tissue course in the second year of the DMD program听
Jacqueline Hsiao
Carol David Scholarship (renewable) established by Lesley A. David DDS'93 in honour of her mother, Carol David, for one or more outstanding undergraduate students who have completed at least two years in the DMD Program. Awarded on the basis of high academic standing and exceptional pre-clinical skills.
Jesse Ibanez
Dr. Leanore K. Feine Prize, awarded to an undergraduate student who has best demonstrated commitment to the oral health of the local community
Kevin Liu
Dr. Leanore K. Feine Prize, awarded to an undergraduate student who has best demonstrated commitment to the oral health of the local communit
Dr. K.I. Melville Prize for highest overall standing in the Foundations of Dentistry course in the second year of the DMD program
Lynh Dan Pham
Dr. Maxwell and Betty L. Goldenberg Prize established by a bequest from the estate of Mrs. Betty L. Goldenberg in honour of her husband Dr. Maxwell Goldenberg, DDS'25. Awarded to the student attaining the highest standing in the Practical Clinical Component in the second year of the DMD program
Matan Tordjman
Dr. W.C. Bushell Prize for highest overall standing in the Radiology course in the second year of the DMD program
Dr. Howard S. Katz Scholarship in Dentistry established through gifts from family, friends and colleagues, to honour the memory of Howard S. Katz BSc'67, MSc'70, PhD'73, DDS'77, a distinguished graduate of the Faculty of Dentistry and Associate Dean (Academic) at the time of his death in 1999. The scholarship commemorates his many contributions to 海角社区 and to the community and, in particular, his dedication to the well-being of students, patients and colleagues, and is awarded on the basis of academic achievement.
Dr. Morton and Jonathan Lang Prize in Dentistry, awarded on the basis of academic merit
Stephanie Zhou
Dr. D.P. Mowry Prize for highest standing in second year of the DMD program
Dr. Janet Griffin-Merth Scholarship established through gifts from 海角社区 Dentistry graduates in British Columbia and family and friends to honour the memory of Janet Griffin-Merth, BSc'67, DDS'72, awarded on the basis of academic achievement