The annual Dentistry Formal, held to welcome first-year dental students to the profession, was held at the Westin Hotel, October 19. Just over 200 students, faculty, sponsors and award donors attended the special event. During the night two prestigious leadership awards were handed out as well.
For the first-time, new leadership awards were handed out as well. The Class of '68 Dr. Douglas MacDougall Leadership awards were given to two students based on their academic standing, and demonstrated leadership, community engagement, volunteerism and involvement in extracurricular activities.
The Dr. Douglas MacDougall Leadership Award in Third Year Dentistry went to Jhoyli Labrador-Stacey and the Dr. Douglas MacDougall Leadership Award in Fourth Year Dentistry went to Kelsey Won.
Jhoyli Labrador-Stacey is a student that is known to devote her life to this school. She is the class president and is recognized by her peers to be an active and strong advocate for her class. She's involved with the DSA, the curriculum renewal project, the admissions process renewal task force, and she volunteers with SHINE. Jhoyli devoted upwards of 500 hours of her time to head the executive committee for the 2019 Winter Charity Ball. Her involvement does not just end there. Along with a friend, she founded the group Pathways to Dentistry, where they share first-hand experiences of being a student in dentistry with new and potential students. And if that isn't enough, she organizes the dentistry booth at the Faculty's Festival Health, volunteers for the SHINE golf tournament, Sharing Smiles Day, and the Week of Wellness.
Kelsey Won is a recognized leader and role model by her classmates for always advocating the importance of self-care. She is the current SHINE co-chair, and helped to get the new Boyle McCauley Dental Clinic underway. She's actively involved in the curriculum renewal project, Wellness Week, keeping SHINE running week-after-week and was involved with the planning and renovation of the Knowledge Commons. She lobbied to get after-hour access to the simulation lab, all the while being the president of DSA where she represents 275 students.
The Class of 88 Leadership Awards were created in 2013 to recognize the Class of '88's reunion in Jasper. The award was initiated by Dr. Albert Tung. This award recognizes students who demonstrate leadership and academic standing within the student body. This year's recipients are: Eleanor Lekach, Patrick Kuny, Taylor Ruether and Kase Lotey.
Eleanor Lekach is a dedicated leader who devotes her time to SHINE as the co-chair of the committee. Her passion for helping others is inspires those around her, and she worked hard on planning both the 2018 Dentistry Formal and Charity Ball. Her positivity and tireless work ethic boosts the morale in her class. Her commitment to creating original, creative, fun ways to engage the participants at Sharing Smiles Day cannot be overlooked as well.
Patrick Kuny was recognized for his involvement in numerous activities at the school as well. He has served as the DSA social reps and the DSA VP clinical. Whether it is coming up with ideas on how to improve the mental health of the students or moderating a meeting, he always gives 100% effort. Last year, he served as Junior Co-chair for OHTH Sharing Smiles. He is on the class fundraising committee and has committed many weekends and countless hours towards teaching the Rock the DAT course, creating teaching material, revamping the website, and planning the delivery of the course. He is a positive influence in the class and encourages class participation in all kinds of events.
Taylor Ruether is known for being hard working, selfless and humble. She in on the DSA executive and organized the 2019 Curling Bonspiel and Slo-Pitch Tournament. She was junior co-chair for the Oral Health Total Health Sharing Day last April, and is senior co-chair for the event this year. She organized the silent auction for the 2019 Winter Charity Ball.
Kase Lotey's involvement in school activities includes class social representative, grad committee and class fundraising committee. He is recognized for being a key player on the orientation committee, he has helped with the DSA Health and Wellness Retreat, and served as an emcee at the 2017 Dent Formal and Grad 2019. He was also a model in the Movember campaign's calendar. But most of all, he is known for going out of his way to make sure those around him are happy and looks for ways to help out his fellow classmates.
All of the first year dentistry students also received a framed certificate and $1,000 from the Alberta Dental Association & College. Congratulations to all the award winners!