The Mirror, December 2019 The Mirror December 9, Rev Dec 9 | Page 23
IN MEMORIAM
Dr. Gordon Nikiforuk was dean at the University of Toronto during a period
that many feel was a golden age in dentistry and a significant growth period
for pediatric dentistry in Canada. As dean at the largest dental school in
Canada, he played a central role in our education.
We saw him frequently in the halls, clinics and classrooms; and if we went
somewhat astray in our path, his gentle guiding hand and voice were there to
bring us back. Two experiences come to mind.
The class of ‘75 was somewhat “energetic”; Some were anxious to test the
boundaries. When we thought it reasonable to “drink the Village House dry”,
and ended with a photo on page 2 of the local newspaper, Dean Nikiforuk
might well have exacted a harsh penalty from the offenders. But rather, he saw this as a teaching moment
with firm but even-tempered words. When the dental students sought to run a dental clinic in the
Alexandra Park community as part of a community health facility run by students in medicine, dentistry,
nursing and pharmacy, the dean was nothing but encouraging and facilitating of faculty and students to
collaborate on this worthwhile and life-altering project.
For me personally, when presented with a patient with a significant genetic condition and dental
complications, Gordon Nikiforuk, expert in the intricacies of that condition, sat down with me, a simple
undergraduate dental student, and showed me what I was capable of.
-Dr. Ian MacConnachie
Contacting CAPD/ACDP is even easier!
Dr. Raymond Lee, President
Dr. Jennifer MacLellan, Vice President
Dr. Gregory Westman, Secretary/Treasurer
Dr. Paul Andrews, Immediate Past President
Dr. Robert Barsky, Parliamentarian
Dr. Ross Anderson, Executive Director
Claire D’Amour, Executive Secretary
Steve Gillick, Director of Operations
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