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

2024

Dr. Mintoo Basahti, '88 DDS
Outstanding Alumnus of the Year

Dr. Basahti is a paragon of dedication and leadership in the dental sector. His profound commitment has been instrumental in shaping dentistry in Alberta. A key figure in organized dentistry, Dr. Basahti has served on the executive committees of the EDDS and ADA&C, and as President for both. Presently, he is the Deputy Registrar for the College of Dental Surgeons of Alberta and is the Past-Chair of ADA&C Continuing Competence Committee, highlighting his commitment to professional excellence and public safety. Dr. Basahti also fostered the future of dentistry as a part-time clinical instructor and supervising dentist at student clinics. An advocate for continuous learning, he is an active member of the Canadian Dental Association and serves on The National Dental Examining Board. His strategic initiatives have significantly impacted the profession, making him a distinguished figure in the dental community.

Dr. Navi Bharj, '19 DDS 
Rising Star

Dr. Bharj stands out as an extraordinary figure in dentistry, with his influence reaching well beyond clinical practice. Currently, he is one of the Chief Residents at the University of British Columbia’s Orthodontics program, pursuing an MSc in Craniofacial Science. His prior role as an associate dentist in Alberta provided him with extensive clinical experience. Dr. Bharj’s dedication to community service is evident from his time in Fort McMurray and Fort Chipewyan, offering a wide array of dental treatments. His leadership prowess shone as President of the Dental Alumni Association at the University of Alberta, fostering connections and enhancing alumni relations. Committed to mentoring, Dr. Bharj contributes to orthodontic training and lectures on oral surgery and practice development. As a previous Clinical Instructor at U of A, he has guided many aspiring dentists. As a student, he founded the “The Grind” Podcast in conjunction with the Canadian Dental Association, which explored diverse topics, underlining his commitment to the profession’s growth and accessibility.

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.