MEET THE WINNERS
BCDHA Dental Hygienist Past Award Recipients
Welcome to the BCDHA Dental Hygienist Awards page, a tribute to excellence in our profession. Here, we celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of dental hygienists who have made significant impacts in their field. Recognizing excellence is vital to fostering growth and innovation within our community, and these awards serve as a testament to the dedication and passion of our members. Join us in honoring the remarkable individuals who embody the highest standards of dental hygiene practice and inspire us all to strive for excellence.
Life membership
Life membership is awarded by the Board of Directors to a full member who has made an outstanding contribution to the dental hygiene profession and to BCDHA. Life members are exempt from paying the BCDHA portion of CDHA/BCDHA membership dues and will remain a BCDHA Life Member for life or until such time as they wish to relinquish membership. Life members are entitled to receive all other benefits of membership as determined by the Board of Directors and within the parameters set out in the Association’s Bylaws.
PAST WINNERS
- 2024: Margit Strobl
- 2022: Tammy Gulevich
- 2012: Paula McAleese
- 2004: Ginny Cathcart
- 2003: D. Thomas
- 2002: Bonnie Craig
- 1984: Joan Voris
- 1984: Carol Kline
- 1981: Marjorie Dimitri
- 1978: Claire Pickard
Dianne Gallagher Inspiration Award
The Dianne Gallagher Inspiration Award was created in honour of Dianne Gallagher, a dental hygienist who gave selflessly to her profession for more than 40 years. She quietly led by example and challenged others to make their personal and professional futures better. As an educator, mentor, and role model, Dianne inspired many dental hygienists across BC and throughout Canada. Dianne’s vision for this award was to recognize a dental hygienist who, through their determination and achievement, inspired other dental hygienists to support and advance the dental hygiene profession.
PAST WINNERS
- 2024: Dr. Denise Laronde
- 2023: Dawn Moon
- 2021: Beverley Gray Jackson
- 2019: Zul Kanji
- 2017: Donna Lee
- 2015: Dianne Stojak
- 2014: Heather Cooper
- 2013: Jade Lavallee
- 2012: Mandy Hayre
- 2011: Dianne Gallagher
Barbara Heisterman Innovation Award
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.
PAST WINNERS
- 2024: Penny Hatzimanolakis
- 2023: Jennifer Halls
- 2021: Natasha Kellett
- 2017: Heather Cooper
- 2014: Cheri Wu
- 2012: Mary Lou Walker
- 2011: Sharon Stead
- 2010: Louretta Frolek
- 2008: Mara Sand
- 2007: Paula McAleese
- 2006: Susan Nye
- 2005: Judy Blake
- 2004: Maxine Borowko
- 2002: Beverley Contreras
- 2001: Barbara Heisterman