Hard work pays off for dental hygiene, dentistry award recipients

Jasmeen Rai decided to make some changes to her study habits last year.

The third-year dental hygiene student began to study more than the week before exams. She also broke up what she was studying into smaller sections and studied continuously.

Rai’s plan was a success.

At the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry and School of Dental Hygiene Awards Evening on Oct. 30, Rai received two of the School of Dental Hygiene’s most prestigious awards.

Rai was honoured with the Dr. A.W. Hogg Scholarship (awarded for highest standing in the second year of the program) and the Isbister Undergraduate Scholarship in Dental Hygiene (awarded to the student with the highest academic standing). She also received three more scholarships and made the Dean’s Honour List.

“I’m very excited,” said Rai, following the event in Frederic Gaspard Theatre on the UM Bannatyne campus. “I did work very hard last year. I changed a lot of my habits and it’s just nice to see it all pay off.”

One person presents a certificate to another person.

Mary Bertone, director of the School of Dental Hygiene, and Jasmeen Rai.

Second-year dentistry student Hannah Shi received two of the dental college’s most prestigious awards.

Shi is the recipient of the Dr. A.W. Hogg Undergraduate Scholarship for Dentistry (awarded on the basis of eligibility for the Dean’s Honour List and for the highest average standing in years one to three) and the Isbister Undergraduate Scholarship for Dentistry (awarded to the student with the highest sessional grade point average irrespective of the year, excluding the graduate class).

“It’s great,” Shi said. “It took a lot of work.”

In total, more than 60 student awards were handed out and 12 awards were presented to faculty and staff.

Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis, dean of the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, and Hannah Shi.

“Tonight, we are here to recognize our efforts, encourage and applaud them,” said Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis, dean of the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry. “For us as educators, supporting our students and seeing them succeed is really one of the most rewarding aspects of our work.”

Mary Bertone, director of the School of Dental Hygiene, told the audience that the awards evening is a moment to celebrate the hard work and accomplishments of students, faculty and staff.

“As you receive your awards tonight, remember, this is not just a recognition of what you’ve achieved, but a reflection of who you are – determined, empathetic and ready to make a difference,” Bertone said.