A night of generosity: Students from the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry host a successful 2026 charity ball

25 March 2026

Group of students

In February 2026, the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry community gathered for an evening of elegance and philanthropy that showcased the remarkable spirit of our students and partners. The event was a resounding success, bringing together 350 attendees, including students, faculty, and sponsors, to support vital oral health initiatives.

The gala's success was the result of months of dedicated planning led by student co-chairs Rachel Shapiro and Amber Brar. They were supported by a talented team of student executives who managed every detail of the evening:

  • External Team: Amisha Gill, Abby McDermid, and Tessa Chalmers
  • Graphics Team: Rupi Nyachhyon and Maria Baboi
  • Ticketing Team: Rachel Low and Trinity Tam
  • Raffle/Auction Team: Adnan Black, Arjun Brar, and Vikram Lohat

From securing high-value auction items to managing complex logistics, these students demonstrated exceptional professional leadership and a deep commitment to their community.

Thanks to the hard work of the committee and the generosity of the attendees, the Charity Ball raised over $92,000 overall. These funds were generated through ticket sales, sponsorships, raffles, and both silent and live auctions.

The proceeds will be distributed to three essential beneficiaries that provide valuable access to oral health care and education:

  • Shine Dentistry
  • Access for All Dentistry
  • University of Alberta Pediatric Dentistry Program

We would like to extend our gratitude to our sponsors, whose support was fundamental to achieving the nearly $100,000 total. The top sponsors were:

  • Diamond Sponsors: Dentalcorp and Kingsway Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Platinum Sponsors: Pediatric Dentistry on 160 and City Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry

The evening was filled with memorable highlights, including a live painting by Jennie Vegt and an entertaining comedy hypnosis show by Corrie J. However, the true highlight was the collective impact made by our students and sponsors in ensuring that oral health care remains accessible to those in need.