This e-mail is being sent on behalf of Director, School of Dental Hygiene, Mary Bertone;
Hello SDH students and faculty,
On Tuesday, the 24th of February 2026, the Board of Governors approved naming the School of Dental Hygiene as the Cholakis School of Dental Hygiene. A
formal announcement will be made by late fall.
With this, the SDH will have an endowment fund of $2.5 million established over the next 10 years. This donation is on behalf of Dr. Ernest Cholakis.
Purpose of the Endowment Fund:
To support strategic initiatives that promote research and learning at the Cholakis School of Dental Hygiene within the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry.
Initiatives that may be supported through the fund include, but are not limited to:
• Community outreach and engagement initiatives reflecting the School’s commitment to public service and oral health promotion
• Equipment and capital expenditures to improve clinical and teaching infrastructure
• Professional development and travel opportunities for faculty, staff, and students
• Recruitment and retention initiatives, including support for new hires and emerging scholars
• Support for Indigenous students and scholars, including mentorship, bursaries, and culturally informed programming
• Curriculum innovation and pilot projects that enhance teaching and learning
Additionally, on Monday, February 23rd, the Dental College Council approved the proposals for the three-year Bachelor of Science and the four-year Honours in Dental Hygiene to be submitted to the Rady Faculty
of Health Sciences Executive Council for review.
Very exciting times for the School of Dental Hygiene!
Mary Bertone, RDH, MPH, DSc(c)
Director and Associate Professor
School of Dental Hygiene
Dr. Gerald Niznick, College of Dentistry, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences
D212-780 Bannatyne Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0W2
Canada
Tel: (204) 789-3574
Fax: (204) 789-3948