Students from the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry explored employment opportunities at the Career Fair held earlier this year on the Bannatyne campus. Read more.
The Dentistry Class of 2001 will be celebrating their 25th anniversary reunion this year. The event will take place from October 9-12, 2026, in Kelowna, B.C., at the Delta Grand Hotel. For more information, please contact Dr. Rakesh Mehta at dr.rakeshmehta@shaw.ca.
Four members of the Dentistry Class of 1969 winter in Palm Springs, California every year.
Dr. Paul Beesley, Dr. Tom Breneman, Dr. Dan Green, Dr. Mal Nattrass, and their wives meet up at least once per month. They get together for dinner, at each other’s homes or for a round of golf.
“We were a very close-knit group and have managed to keep those friendships alive over all the years,” Dr. Beesley said.
“Even though we all practiced in different cities, the University of Manitoba has held us together. It’s a very special group.”
Three other classmates have also spent a few winters with them. For their 50th anniversary in 2019, another 12 class members joined them in Palm Springs for a reunion.
Dr. Olubukola Olatosi has graduated from the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry with her PhD in oral biology. She thanked everyone at Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry who has supported and encourage her throughout her PhD journey.
“Your guidance, mentorship, kindness and belief in me have contributed immensely to my academic and personal growth. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities, learning experiences, and friendships I have gained during my time at the University of Manitoba. Thank you for being part of this remarkable journey and for helping make this achievement possible. I am truly honored and thankful.”
Congratulations to Kat Weckesser! The graduate programs academic administrator gave birth to a baby boy on January 22, 2026. He weighed 6 pounds 7 ounces.
In memoriam
Marnie Forgay passed away April 11, 2026. She was a professor emerita and the founding director of the School of Dental Hygiene. She was a visionary leader whose dedication, passion and commitment laid the foundation for dental hygiene education at UM. Read Mary Bertone’s message.
Dr. Murray Good passed away on February 22, 2025. He graduated from UM with his bachelor of science in 1963 and his DMD in 1968. He practiced in West Vancouver and was an instructor at the University of British Columbia. Read his obituary.
Dr. Richard (Dick) Smith passed away on January 7, 2026, in Whitehorse. He fulfilled his childhood dream of becoming a dentist when he graduated from UM’s dental school in 1965. Dr. Smith practiced public health dentistry throughout Manitoba, and general dentistry in Strathroy, Ont., and lastly in the Yukon from 1997 until retirement in 2017. Read his obituary
Dr. Irwin Barry Stronger passed away on May 31, 2026. He graduated from the UM dental school in 1969. Read his obituary
Dr. Makoto (Mike) Suzuki passed away on June 26, 2026. He spent 35 years at the University of Manitoba as a respected faculty member, researcher and mentor. He later served as head of the department of restorative dentistry, providing academic leadership and shaping the education of generations of dental students. Read Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis’ message.
The Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry’s radiology unit held a Valentine’s Day Exchange. Radiology unit members supplied valentine’s cards for faculty, staff and students fill out. The cards were collected and then more than 330 valentines were distributed.
Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry support staff gather each year in December for Professional Development Day. About 80 staff members took part in a session on effective written communication and fun activities took place like a holiday scavenger hunt. There were door prizes and lunch was served.
The winners of the Holiday Decorating Contest were:
1st place – Whiteout by Laura Friesen
2nd place – Grinch & Whoville by Sheila Holberg & Jenna McGavock
3rd place – Nostalgia by Lorraine Reinfort, Elaine Schoenberger and Andrew Dimaapi
