The annual Alumni of Distinction Awards Evening took place Sept. 22 at the Fort Garry Hotel.
Dr. Gerald Niznick, a member of the Class of 1966 and the namesake benefactor of the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry, and his wife, Reesa, were guests at the event.
Dr. Aaron Kim, a 1987 dentistry alumnus and professor of restorative dentistry at UM’s dental school, received the Alumni of Distinction Award from the UM Dental Alumni Association.
Kim joined the full-time faculty in 2011 and is the former associate dean (clinics) at the college. Since 2002, Kim has organized humanitarian dental missions and led the establishment of dental clinics in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Guatemala.
“I would like to dedicate this award to my family, my teachers and friends,” Kim said. “I have been blessed with so many good people in my life. I can not pay back all the love and blessings you have given me, but I can only pay it forward.”
Kellie Watson, a 1995 School of Dental Hygiene alumna, received the Alumni of Distinction Award from the UM School of Dental Hygiene Alumni Association.
Watson was the inaugural registrar and executive director of the College of Dental Hygienists of Manitoba, and was a member of the teaching faculty at the School of Dental Hygiene. She has worked as registrar and CEO of the Saskatchewan Dental Hygienists Association and was the assistant dean of the dental assisting program at the University of Saskatchewan.
“I was really so fortunate to receive my education from this institution,” Watson said. “It certainly provided me with a strong foundation in dental hygiene theory and practice, but more importantly, I received the guidance and mentorship from so many exceptional faculty that inspired me to do more and to be more.”
The event also paid tribute to the dentistry classes of 1971 and 1973.