Barbara J. Heisterman Award
For Outstanding Innovation and Commitment to Care
The Barbara J. Heisterman Award for Outstanding Innovation and Commitment to Care was created in honour of Barbara Heisterman, BC’s first mobile residential care dental hygienist. Barbara made an enormous contribution to the profession over her thirty-five-year career as a dental hygienist. Her courage, advocacy, mentorship, and commitment to improving access to dental hygiene care has had a long-lasting impact on our profession.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Barbara J. Heisterman Award for Outstanding Innovation and Commitment to Care. Nominees for this award must exemplify Barbara’s outstanding and unique attributes and values, including:
- Improving access to preventive oral health care through innovative delivery of dental hygiene services;
- Providing oral care to underserved and marginalized population groups;
- Advocating for inclusivity and access to preventive oral care for all persons regardless of age, physical or cognitive ability, economic status, culture or race;
- Sharing practice expertise with others through collaboration and mentorship;
- Promoting oral health as a key component of overall health and quality of life;
- Demonstrating professional values and commitment to the dental hygiene profession.
Nominees for this award must be a Dental Hygienist and member of BCDHA for the previous 10 years. The recipient of the award will be chosen from eligible nominations received prior to May 15, 2026, and announced at the 2026 Annual General Meeting.
If you would like to nominate a Dental Hygienist for the Barbara J. Heisterman Award for Outstanding Innovation and Commitment to Care, please complete the nomination form below and return it to BCDHA@bcdha.com before May 15, 2026. Note that current Board Directors and BCDHA staff cannot be nominated or nominate a member for this award.