Dental Alumni of the Year Awards

The Dental Alumni Association awards their Alumni of the Year awards to deserving U of A dental graduates each year. Celebrating those in our community who have made significant contributions is an important part of our mandate. See past recipients!

Nominations

The University of Alberta Dental Alumni Association respectfully requests nominations for their annual Alumni of the Year Awards. There are two categories: 

  • Rising Star (alumni who are 40 years of age or under)
  • Outstanding Alumnus/Alumna of the Year (alumni who are over the age of 40)

Anyone is welcome to submit a nomination. Fill out the nomination form today!

Nomination Deadline: March 31 at 11:59 p.m.

Who is eligible?

  • Nominees must be graduates of the University of Alberta dental program (this includes undergraduate, postgraduate, and residency)
  • Nominees should be in good standing with their provincial dental licensing authority

Selection Criteria

  • Demonstrated significant achievements through contributions to leadership, mentorship, stewardship, student advocacy, and/or research
  • Demonstrated significant career achievement in their dental discipline and/or involvement with the community of dental professionials
  • Commitment to excellence and promoting the tenets of scholastic and community care to deliver exceptional patient care

Award Selection Process

Nominations will be independently reviewed by members of the Dental Alumni Association according to the selection criteria described above. Recipients will be selected based on the strongest applicant who encompasses the spirit of the dental alumni community. The successful candidate for this award will be approved by the School of Dentistry.  

Award Presentation

A live presentation ceremony and reception will be held at the Alberta Dental Teams Summit in Calgary in June. The University of Alberta Dental Alumni Association will provide a stipend for the award winner to attend the reception.

Past Recipients

2023

Thomas Stevenson, '73 DDS

Dr. Stevenson has been a pillar of education, support, and mentorship at the University of Alberta for over 40 years. He has impacted numerous students who have graduated from the program as a clinician and educator. He has been an advocate for mental health and quality service of care. Dr. Stevenson has been a volunteer with the Dental Alumni Association for many years and has always been a role model for students and alumni. He has been involved with numerous committees and has been an advocate for Learner Advocacy. Former students always fondly remember their time learning from Dr. Stevenson. He has never been a stranger and always supportive of the student body and giving back to dentistry.

Kin Wing Wong, '76 DDS

Dr. Wong was one of the longest standing teachers in the U of A Dental program and has mentored and inspired countless students in his 40 years as a teacher. Giving back to dentistry was his life’s passion. He was very popular amongst the student population and won the Teacher of the award twice! He enthusiastically embraced the SHINE Dentistry initiative at its inception, treating those who are the most in need of dental care in Edmonton. Dr. Wong was a very modest man who didn’t seek the spotlight but very much deserves to be celebrated. Even though he has passed on, his spirit of generosity and compassion live on in the hearts of his former students and he leaves a great legacy of teaching and mentorship at the University of Alberta.

2022 to 1981

  • 2022: not awarded
  • 2021: not awarded
  • 2020: not awarded
  • 2019: Bill Sharun, ’74 DDS
  • 2018: Randall Croutze, ’85 DDS
  • 2017: William Lobb, ’77 DDS
  • 2016: James Mah, ’88 DDS
  • 2015: Amil Shapka, ’90 DDS
  • 2014: Dennis Bedard, ’78 DDS
  • 2013: Murray Mickleborough, ’66 DDS
  • 2012: not awarded
  • 2011: Darryl Smith, ’78 DDS
  • 2010: Jim Plecash, ’57 DDS
  • 2009: Hugh Campbell, ’72 DDS
  • 2008: Joey Brown, ’71 DDS
  • 2007: Walter Buck, ’55 DDS
  • 2006: Gayle Mabey, ’66 DDS
  • 2005: William Blair, ’69 DDS
  • 2004: Jim Mathieson, ’61 DDS
  • 2003: Richard Sandilands, ’65 DDS
  • 2002: not awarded
  • 2001: Marcia Boyd, ’69 DDS
  • 2000: Bryun Sigfstead, ’67 DDS
  • 1999: John Stamm, ’67 DDS
  • 1998: Ralph Yuodelis, ’55 DDS
  • 1997: not awarded
  • 1996: not awarded
  • 1995: not awarded
  • 1994: Terry Donovan, ’67 DDS
  • 1993: Don Collinson, ’58 DDS
  • 1992: Gordon Thompson, ’65 DDS
  • 1991: Ronald Jordan, ’54 DDS
  • 1990: Robert Hicks, ’62 DDS
  • 1989: Jack Calvert, ’50 DDS
  • 1988: Ted Allison, ’53 DDS
  • 1987: Gil Utas, ’64 DDS
  • 1986: James Wright, ’56 DDS
  • 1985: Jack Neilson, ’41 DDS
  • 1984: Archie Gray, ’50 DDS
  • 1983: Gordon Swann, ’50 DDS
  • 1982: Sperry Fraser, ’30 DDS
  • 1981: Garth Evans, ’45 DDS
  • 1980: Hector McLean, ’28 DDS

Questions

Any questions or inquiries can be addressed to chapters@ualberta.ca.