In recognition of his services, the main lecture theatre at the newly established Fatima Jinnah Institute of Dental Sciences in Lahore, Pakistan, was named earlier this year after Dr. Adnan Shah, professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery and department head of dental diagnostic and surgical sciences.
Dr. Laura MacDonald, associate professor in the School of Dental Hygiene, gave a talk as part of the ISME Praxis Series on November 18. The special series of talks are hosted by Dr. Peter Nickerson, dean of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, and feature speakers from the Rady Faculty who have undertaken research that informs a range of educational practices in health professions education.
Her talk was on how salutogenic principles can inform what is done in medical education. MacDonald shared insights from her research on the concept of healthy learning within dentistry and dental hygiene, and explored how this perspective can shape curriculum, teaching and learning in ways that support the health-of-standard for both learners and faculty in medical education.
In memoriam
Dr. John Curran passed away on November 9, 2025. He joined the UM dental school in 1971. He became program director and section head of oral maxillofacial surgery in 1986 and served in that capacity for decades. Dr. Curran guided the program through periods of growth, change and accomplishment. Read his obituary and Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis’ message.
Dr. Sayed Mehdi Mirbod passed away on September 10, 2025. He completed the specialty program in periodontics at UM in 2001. He then practiced in Halifax and was an associate professor at Dalhousie University. Read his obituary.
Dr. Peter Thomas Richard Williams passed away on October 17, 2025. In 1970, he began teaching dental materials at the UM dental school. He was a member of the Canadian delegation of the International Standards Organization Dental Materials and a reviewer for the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association. Read his obituary.
A surprise baby shower took place in June for Dr. Chrysi Stavropoulou, director of the graduate periodontics program and an assistant professor of periodontology.
Jennifer Cicci is a registered dental hygienist who was diagnosed in 2018 with HPV-associated squamous cell carcinoma (oral cancer). Since her recovery, she has become a passionate advocate for awareness and education. On her tour of Canadian dental and dental hygiene programs, she gave a talk on August 18 on the Bannatyne campus.
The event was organized by Dr. Vimi Mutalik, division head and associate professor of oral diagnosis, and Kaleigh Warden, instructor and DH3 clinical coordinator at the School of Dental Hygiene.
Fun was had at the annual Sports Day in August.
