News

The Gladys Littler Award is presented annually to a staff member who exemplifies a high level of commitment, high standards of performance and outstanding service to the Faculty of Dentistry. We sat down with this year's recipient Kim Marchand to find out more about her and what winning the Gladys Littler Award means to her.

Question 1: How long have you been with the Faculty of Dentistry? 

I began working for the Faculty of Dentistry in 2007 on a term position as a dispensary clerk. Soon after starting at Dalhousie, a permanent position became available for a dental assistant. It’s been 7 years of learning something new each day for me since.

Question 2: What is your favourite part about your job?

The best part of my job is supporting students in gaining confidence and competence in their clinical skills and patient care. I’ve been working in the Emergency Dental Clinic and Multi-Service Clinic alongside Dr. Chris Lee for the past five years, and most recently our new General Practice Residency program. I’ve also had the privilege of working with Dr. Ferne Kraglund to help develop our Sponsored Care Clinic. This clinic has been a great example of supporting students in promoting outreach and providing for an under-served population in need of dental care.

Question 3: What keeps you coming to work?

My daily interactions with patients and understanding who they are is what keeps me coming to work each day. It’s very important to me to treat patients with dignity despite their social determinants. We treat patients from many community agencies who face barriers to accessing dental care such as ARK, Metro Turning Point, Direction 180, Salvation Army and MOSH to name a few. Our partnerships with these agencies is an example of working together to make a difference in the healthcare of our most vulnerable populations.

Question 4: What have been the most progressive changes you've seen around the faculty since you've been working here?

The most progressive change I’ve seen is the support of our outreach dental clinics. I believe our Dean is leading by example with this initiative, and in doing so improving both student learning and patient health outcomes. Our relationship with the North End Community Health Centre allows students to experience first hand the disparities in health status of individuals. For some people their reality each day can be something as simple as not having bus fare to access dental care. 

Question 5: What does winning the Gladys Littler Award mean to you?

Winning the Gladys Littler Award certainly makes me feel like I’m making a difference in my workplace. I strive to be the best I can each day, and the satisfaction I receive when a student speaks to me about how much their experience meant to them in our clinics is what means the most to me. I work with some amazing people each day who help support me in doing what I love.