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Volume2 Issue3
O
bituaries
Dr.MicheleWilliams, a leader inoral cancer research, passed
awayon January8, 2015.
A lovedand respectedfigureat theUniversityof British
Columbia (UBC), Dr.Williamswas aclinical professor in the
divisionof oralmedical andbiological sciences andapast
director of geriatricdentistry. Shewas also interimhead
of thedepartment of dentistryat theVancouverGeneral
Hospital andmaintainedanactiveclinical practiceas an
oralmedicine specialist.
Dr.Williams alwayshada keen interest incancer careand
research. Before studyingdentistryand specializing inoral
medicine, shepractisedoncologynursing for 10years. She
wasdetermined to improve theoutcomesof thosefighting
cancer and servedasoralmedicine leader at theBCCancer
Agency,with theBCOral Cancer PreventionProgram, andat
theLeukemia/BoneMarrowTransplant Programof BC.
Dr.Williamswas instrumental in thedevelopment of the
CollegeofDental Surgeonsof BritishColumbia’s (CDSBC)
clinical practiceguidelinesonoral cancer screening
andearlydiagnosisof oral
malignancies—oneof thefirst
guidelines tobedevelopedby
theCollege.
“Michele’sprofessionalism
wasgrounded inher ‘patient-
first’ philosophyandher
excellent patient careand
communication skills,”
remembersDr. DeniseLaronde,
a long-timecolleagueand
friend. “I learnedagreat deal
fromMichele, and I believe
themost important thing I
learnedwashow to talkwith
patients about their diseaseand
management.”
Dr.Williams alsowanted to
advance the stateof knowledge
inoral cancer. Shewas actively
involvedwith the International SocietyofOralOncologyand
theMultinational Associationof SupportiveCancer Care,
and servedas theCanadian lead for theOraStem study, an
international project investigatingorofacial complications
fromcancer therapyusing stemcell transplantation.
Dr.Williams’ devotion tooncologypatients andpassion
for oral cancer researchdidnot gounnoticed. TheBCOral
Cancer PreventionProgram,which sheco-foundedwith
Dr.MiriamRosin,waspresentedwith theCDAOral Health
PromotionAward in2010, in recognitionof the tremendous
impact of its clinical and researchprograms andoutreach
initiatives. Dr.Williams also received theCDSBCAwardof
Merit for her significant contribution to theCollege.
TohonourDr.Williams' outstandingcontribution to the
profession, UBChas established theDr.MicheleWilliams
Memorial Award,whichwill recognize studentswho
demonstrateexcellence inoralmedicine.
Not onlywasDr.Williams anaccomplisheddentist,
researcher, teacher andmentor, shewas alsoa remarkable
athlete. Sheandher twin sister Lesley (anorthodontist in
SouthSurrey, BC)werebothnamed to theCanadianfield
hockey teamat age16andcompetedaround theworld.
The twinsbothwereawarded5VarsityBigBlocks inathletics
atUBC.Michelenever lost her interest in sports
and livedanactive life. Combiningworkandpleasure,
sheco-captainedher Ride toConquer Cancer cycling team,
BETTEROUTCOMES, for 4consecutiveyears, andwashoping
todo soagain this year. “This ridewasher pledge toall of
theamazingpatients shehad theprivilegeof caring for
and to the incredible teamof dedicatedprofessionalswith
whom sheworked,” saysher sister. Lesleywill be riding
onMichele’s team this year andwill proudlywear her twin’s
jersey.
The2015BCRide toConquer Cancer, a two-daycycling
journey fromVancouver toSeattle,will takeplaceon
August 29–30. At the timeof publication, Dr.Michele
Williamswas the2015 top fundraiser inBC,withover $60,000
collected. Thosewhowish todonate inhermemorycando
soat
a
REMEMBERING
DENTISTRYLEADERS
DR.MICHELEWILLIAMS
Dr.MicheleWilliams (front)
withher twin sister, Lesley.
