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Volume1 Issue4
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CDA
at
W
ork
AwardofMerit
TheAwardofMerit recognizesan individualwhohas served inanoutstandingcapacity in thegoverning
or serviceofCDAovera sustainedperiodof time, orwhohasmade similaroutstandingcontributions to the
dental profession, thedental community, or theoralhealthofCanadiansand/or societyat large. Thisyear,
therewere3 recipientsof theaward:
Dr.DennisBedard
of Edmonton,
Dr.ColinJack
of Souris, PrinceEdward
Island, and
Dr.GrahameUsher
ofHalifax.
Inaddition tohismanynotablecareer
achievements, includingassociate
professor in thedepartment of pediatric
dentistryat theUniversityof Albertaand
past-president of theAlbertaAcademy
of PediatricDentistryand theAlberta
SocietyofDental Specialists, Dr. Dennis
Bedard, hasdedicatedhis life toproviding
disadvantagedcommunitieswithdental care, both
inCanada’s far northandoverseas. Throughhis
volunteer organization, Dentistry forAll, Dr. Bedard
has ledmanyoutreachprograms toGuatemala,
thePhillippines andNicaragua, touching the lives
of thousandsof grateful patients.
This yearwas our twentiethyearof providingdental services to those less fortunate thanourselves,” said
Dr.Bedard. “Iwouldbe remiss if IdidnotmentionmywifeBev—withouther, thesemissionswouldnot be
quiteas successful. I oweallmy success in life toher.”
Dr. Colin Jackprovidesdental care
to families inSouris, PrinceEdward
Island, andhas also served invarious
positions at theDental Associationof
PEI and theHealthAgencyBoardof
PEI. Hehas alwaysbeenmotivatedbya
commitment todo the right thing for hispatients,
his communityandhisprofession.While serving
on theCDABoardofDirectorshewas achampion
for dental students, supporting the importance
of their rolewithinorganizeddentistry, and
advocated for auniteddental community.
Tobehonouredbyone’s peers is aprofound thing, and tobe included in the group that is receiving theawards
this year is averygreathonour,” saidDr. Jack. “One of the rewards of getting involved inorganizeddentistry
is simply thewonderful people youmeet andbecomefriendswith—the experiencehas enrichedmy life
greatly.”
Apractisingendodontist inHalifax,
Dr. GrahameUsher has earnedmany
achievements at theprovincial and
national levels inorganizeddentistry.
Provincially, his accomplishments
include serving as president of the
Specialist Societyof Nova Scotia and
president of theNova ScotiaDental
Association. His involvement at the
national level includes servingon theCDA
Boardof Directors andhis current positions as
member of theCDACodeof EthicsWorking
Group andmember of theBoardof Directors of
theCanadianDental SpecialtiesAssociation. He is
recognized for planning thememorable2011CDA
convention inHalifaxwithhis trademark energy
andenthusiasm. Dr. RobertMacGregor, CDA
past-president, accepted the awardonDr. Usher’s
behalf.
a
I’vehad the great fortune toworkwithGrahame over the years. I can tell youfirsthandhe is a tremendous
personandworker,witha tremendouswit,” saidDr.MacGregor.
