Dr. Kelekis-Cholakis earned a bachelor of arts from the University of Winnipeg in 1988, followed by a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree in 1992 and a diploma in periodontics in 1998, both from the University of Manitoba. She currently serves as director of the Graduate Periodontal Program in the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry and as an associate professor of dental diagnostic and surgical sciences. She is a fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and a member of the Canadian and American Academies of Periodontology.
Following her specialty training in 1998, Dr. Kelekis-Cholakis founded the Southwest Specialty Group, one of the first practices in Canada to house a variety of dental specialists in one practice. Her part-time teaching career at the U of M started in 1993. Since becoming a full-time academic and program director, she has emphasized innovative technologies and teaching methods, such as the acquisition of a dental microscope and training in microsurgery.
Dr. Kelekis-Cholakis lectures nationally and internationally. She is an accomplished researcher with peer-reviewed publications, abstracts and book chapters to her credit and she has collaborated on international clinical trials. Her research interests include periodontal soft tissue microsurgery, peri-implant maintenance and biological implant complications. Her outreach work includes dental mission trips to Zimbabwe and Uganda. She has served on the boards of organizations such as the Manitoba Dental Association and has founded several organizations, including the Canadian Dental Institute (a continuing education provider) and the Women’s Dental Network.
Dr. Kelekis-Cholakis’s honours include the American Academy of Periodontology Dental Educator Award for outstanding teaching and mentoring in periodontics (2012), a Certificate of Appreciation from the Canadian Academy of Periodontology (2014), and election by her peers to the Pierre Fauchard Academy (2017).
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Kelekis-Cholakis as dean of the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba.
