Alumni Stories

BDSc 2014; PhD 2018

After more than two decades in clinical practice, Leigha Rock returned to school and now serves as a researcher and Director of Dalhousie University’s School of Dental Hygiene.

BDSc 2004; MSc 2009

Penny Hatzimanolakis is an oral health practitioner, business owner and Lecturer at UBC Dentistry, all while working towards her PhD.

DMD 2000

Hilary Pada has spent over two decades working as a dentist in Kelowna, BC. Her practice has spanned cancer care to general dentistry and, most recently, a new path in early intervention growth and development and infant care.

DMD 1987 and Dip DH 1985

After more than 30 years of practicing, Larry Hill and Kathie Robertson are enjoying small-town living in Alert Bay on Vancouver Island.

DMD 1992 and DMD 1993

For Joe Germain and his wife Diana Germain dentistry runs in the family. The pair owns a practice in Mission, BC, and works alongside their son Bayley.

DMD 1989

Wilson Kwong grew up in a family of bakers but decided to forge his own path as a dentist.

DMD 1979

Kenji Shimizu has been an active member of the UBC Dentistry community for 49 years—as a student, an instructor, and recently as the dental representative to the alumni UBC Advisory Council, a unique role in which he provides feedback to the alumni UBC Board of Directors and acts as an advocate in the community.

DMD 2011

After graduating from UBC Dentistry, Dr. Kevin Ko continued his education. He completed his doctor of medicine degree with two residencies, one in oral and maxillofacial pathology and a second in anatomic pathology, followed by a fellowship in dermatopathology. Today, Dr. Ko works as a pathologist at the BC Cancer Agency.

BDSc 2020; (PhD Year 2)

Vanessa Johnson graduated from UBC Dentistry’s dental hygiene program in 2020 and returned to do a PhD with Dr. Leeann Donnelly.