On March 4th, 2020, UBC Dentistry celebrated the launch of the Alumni Affiliate Program recognizing three incredible individuals who have embraced the Faculty as their ‘hometown’ school. Like many of our dentistry alumni, these individuals are part of our group of dynamic educators, community leaders, advocates, supporters and mentors.
Dr. Kenneth Chow
Dr. Kenneth Chow
Dr. Chow and his family actually are already part of the UBC at large alumni family – both Ken and his wife Susan are proud graduates and now also celebrate their 3 children who are all currently attending UBC.
Both Dr. Chow and Susan are strong community advocates for both UBC and other important organizations such as Children’s Hospital, BC Cancer, the revitalization project of Vancouver Chinatown and the Click organization.
Dr. Chow’s true passion and commitment to the profession of dentistry is commendable. He was one of the first to step forward when the Faculty was in construction of Nobel Biocare Oral Health Centre and not only made a major leadership gift in support of our efforts but also engaged and reintroduced a number of alumni and friends who also then stepped forward to offer their support.
Dr. Chow also embraces an active teaching role within the Faculty in the undergraduate oral surgery model. His mentorship and keen connection with our students has been recognized in past teaching awards voted on by our students. The Chow Family bursary supports an award in each of the 4 year DMD programs which assists students facing financial hardship.
Dr. Chow was an active member of our past Dean’s advisory board for 10 years and played a critical role in providing guidance and advocacy to the school. Most recently, I had the pleasure to work with Ken on an initiative within our Geriatric Dentistry Program. Through his passion and perseverance, Dr. Chow helped the Faculty raise $100K in 4 days to support a new one chair dental clinic in the long term care facility of Villa Cathay – this program not only provides on site care to seniors but also is a critical component for our geriatric dental rotations, essential for students to learn the complexities of treating seniors
Professor Bonnie J. Craig
Professor Bonnie J. Craig
In the early ‘90’s The BC Dental Hygienists’ Association successfully lobbied the Faculty for a degree completion opportunity, and Professor Craig was hired to be the director of UBC’s Dental Hygiene Degree Program. With tenacity and her passion for education, Professor Craig’s skills as an administrator, educator and innovator were exemplary as she established the new degree program as well as devised multiple admission options for degree completion, with categories for North American and international diploma graduates, as well as a new four-year entry-to-practice option. Professor Craig’s role as program director included developing new courses, recruiting students and faculty, admitting students, advising and mentoring students, coordinating courses, teaching and revising curriculum.
Over her career at UBC Dentistry, Professor Craig was also recognized with a number of distinguished awards including the UBC Killam Teaching Award, the first Dental Hygiene Educators Canada Teaching Excellence Award and an Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry National Dental Teaching Award.
Professor Craig’s continued passion and commitment to education is also celebrated in her support of establishing a named DHDP endowed student award – another important part of her legacy and passion for both the profession and our students.
As Professor Craig truly mapped out the road for our DHDP alumni, it seems most fitting to welcome her as part of our alumni family.
Dr. John Hung
Dr. John Hung
As one of the founding members of the Monarch Pediatric Dental Centre, “Dr. John” as he is known to by his patients, has a long and impressive list of distinctions, memberships and awards within the community. His support of UBC Dentistry is almost as long.
The Monarch team has generously supported the school in many ways: from naming a conference room in the Nobel Biocare Oral Health Centre to the revitalisation of JBM and supporting our new graduate speciality clinic.
Dr. Hung’s passion and commitment to dental education is paramount – not only has an active teaching role within UBC Dentistry but also supports through Monarch one of our most popular student electives that invites students to the Monarch office and participate in GA cases.
His role within supporting pediatric dental needs across the province is reflected in the ongoing support of the UBC |BCDA Save a Smile Program – Dr. Hung has supported a number of pediatric cases that may have otherwise fall through the cracks. In 2015 he was recognized for his accomplishments and received the BC Dental Association Distinction Award.
Dr. Hung and the Monarch team also support several UBC Dentistry student awards that recognize and celebrate the incredible achievements of our students and their passion for pediatric dentistry. Most recently, the Monarch team created another level of support by establishing the Instar Endowment Fund at UBC – a fund that not only provides a financial platform for complex pediatric dental cases but also an opportunity for our students to further enhance their clinical skill under amazing mentors. A true win win for everyone.