Tom Stevenson awarded the Bulyea Cup

The Bulyea Cup is the highest honour that the School of Dentistry confers on its faculty members, members of the dental and dental hygiene professions, and members of the community. It is awarded in recognition of faculty members who have clearly excelled in both teaching and research, members of the oral health care professions (dentistry and dental hygiene) who are involved in teaching, research or service to the School of Dentistry, and to members of the community who have made contributions to oral health sciences education.

Tom received his B.Sc. and D.D.S. (with distinction) from the University of Alberta in 1973 and was awarded the Alberta Association Gold Medal, Arthur D. Cumming Gold Medal and the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry Award for Excellence in Pediatric Dentistry. In 1979 he received his M.S. (honours) in bone biology and Diploma in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from the University of Illinois Medical Center and Cook County Hospital.

In 1981, Tom joined the School of Dentistry as a member of the part-time teaching staff and in 2009, he left his South Edmonton Oral Surgery practice he established in 1980 to accept the full time position as Division Head of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery. From 2009 to 2012 he was the Associate Chair of Clinical Affairs and from 2010 to the present has served as the Vice Chair and Associate Chair of Student Affairs while still operating as the Division Head of Oral Surgery.

During Tom's 36 years with the School he has received numerous clinical and preclinical teaching awards and has been the Honorary Class president in 2010 and 2014. Tom goes above and beyond to help students learn the skills they need to succeed in the profession but maybe equally as important, he serves as a mentor, role model and advocate for all students. This quote from Maya Angelou, provided by one of our faculty members as part of the nomination package, speaks to his interactions with students, faculty and staff at the School and it is: "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Nothing could be truer of Tom.

In addition to Tom's duties at the School he has had a tremendous impact in the Oral and Maxillofacial and dental community having actively participated in both provincial and national associations and is a Past President of the Alberta Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, a founding member of the Alberta Society of Alberta Specialists and a Past President of the Canadian Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Dr. Stevenson also served as Alberta Health Services Zone Chief for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Hospital Based Dentistry 2011 - 2012 and continues to attend and participate in meetings.

This award is bestowed to Tom for his dedication to our students, to the profession and to his passion to give back to his School and his university, and to his knowledge he is passing on to the next generation of dental practitioners.