In 1980, the first class of Saskatchewan Dental Hygienists graduated from Wascana Institute. In 1991, the SDHA initiated a “Mary Geddes Memorial Award” for a graduate of the program.
Mary Geddes (nee Brett) was the first dental hygienist to register in Canada, with the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CDSS) on April 1, 1950. She graduated from the University of Minnesota on June 12, 1948 and resided in Regina. Her brother was a well-known Regina dentist, Dr. Brett.
The recipients of this award are chosen by the SK Polytechnic dental hygiene program and reflect our mandate as a regulatory body. The SDHA recognizes the attributes, skills, and attitudes that we want to promote in our future members.
- Demonstrate leadership skills, high professional ideals and ethics
- Be respected by fellow students, clients and instructors
- Be considerate, helpful and reliable. For example,
- assists classmates with procedures (suction, charting, setups and clean-up)
- supportive to classmates in need of advice and encouragement
- willing to share information and coach about procedures they have mastered
- Contributes to class unity and team building
- Be compassionate and empathetic – reflective of the role of the dental hygienist as a health professional
Previous Award Recipients of Mary Geddes Memorial Award
- 2023 – Claire Fischer
- 2022 – Jillian Power
- 2021 – Alyssa Giesbrecht
- 2020 – Danielle Goodman
- 2018– Brittany Frape
- 2017 – Taylor Olson
- 2016 – Pardis Onvani
- 2015 – Samantha Gajda
- 2014 – Hayley Alix
- 2013 – Samantha Stewart
- 2012 – Danielle Blais
- 2011 – Binzy Varghese
- 2010 – Jessica Grad
- 2009 – Cammie Osborne
- 2008 – Sharman Woynarski
- 2007 – Hilary Brunsch
- 2006 – Pauline “Jo” Marple
- 2005 – Shannon Zimmer
- 2004 – Alanna Harder
- 2003 – Celeste Verville
- 2002 – Roselle Dubas
- 2001 – Harmony Ross
- 2000 – Christeena Fafard
- 1999 – Lisa Myhr
- 1998 – Judy Simonson
- 1997 – Stephanie Canfield
- 1996 – Nola Barden
- 1995 – Paula Wilson
- 1994 – Monica Spadafora
- 1993 – Lenna McConnell
- 1992 – Nancy Fritz
- 1991 – Marlene Woodcock
- 1990 – Laurie Moskowy
- 1989 – Trevor Brown & Betty Buller
- 1988 – Sue Russell
- 1987 – Melody Weimer
- 1986 – Michele Rieger
- 1985 – Brenda Beutel & Carmen Howard
- 1984 – Rhonda Hunter
- 1983 – Jacquie Masters & Shelly Ruiters
- 1982 – Lynne Viczko
- 1981 – Julie Wasylynka
