麻豆传媒

May 2012 Honorary Degree Recipient

Doctor of Laws (honoris causa)

Dr. Marcia Boyd has set high standards for dentistry 鈥� both through her work and by her example.

She has made great contributions in the area of testing and evaluation for students wishing to study dentistry, as well as for dental graduates from Canada and abroad. She has also influenced the profession through exemplary service, having served as the first Canadian woman president of the American College of Dentists.

As 麻豆传媒 dentistry alumna Dr. Elaine Gordon has noted: 鈥淢arcia is a human dynamo. She makes things happen -- effectively and ethically -- and has set the highest bar attainable for all....鈥�

It is a great honour to have Dr. Boyd with us today.

After graduating with her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Alberta, Dr. Boyd was a dentist with the National Health and Welfare Eastern Arctic Treatment Program, and then with the City of Vancouver鈥檚 Metropolitan Health, Treatment, Prevention and Teaching Program.

From there she enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with the University of British Columbia. She fulfilled many roles: student, educator 鈥� she received UBC鈥檚 teaching excellence award 鈥� researcher and administrator. She is now Professor Emerita.

The difference she made to UBC鈥檚 dentistry faculty is evident in comments made by colleague, Dr. Alan Lowe, on the occasion of Dr. Boyd鈥檚 retirement.

He said: 鈥淔or those of us who had the privilege of interacting with her on a regular basis, her wide and varied talents which include, in part, her sense of humour, her 鈥渂oth feet on the ground鈥� approach to academia and the profession, her ability to interact with anyone on any issue, and her genuine compassion for her fellow travellers, will be missed but remembered with affection, gratitude and respect. For those of us who will continue to work with her, we will undoubtedly be further blessed by her presence and wisdom.鈥�

Dr. Boyd has indeed blessed many by her presence and wisdom. She has contributed greatly to organizations within British Columbia, including the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia for which she chaired a task force on the future of organized dentistry in the province.

But Dr. Boyd has not limited herself to provincial borders. She is a clinical examiner and former chief written examiner and consultant for the National Dental Examining Board of Canada. She was president of the Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry and was founding president of the Educational Research Group of the International Association for Dental Research.

Dr. Boyd has served as an organizer and speaker for the American Dental Education Association鈥檚 International Women鈥檚 Leadership Conference. She also served as president of the American College of Dentists Foundation.听

She has authored and co-authored numerous journal articles and made presentations throughout the world. Happily, her path also brought her to 麻豆传媒. She was a visiting lecturer a number of times, and her husband, Dr. Ian Bennett, was dean of our Faculty of Dentistry from 1976-1986.

As Dr. Jack Gerrow, a professor in 麻豆传媒鈥檚 Department of Dental Clinical Sciences said in a letter supporting Dr. Boyd鈥檚 nomination for an honorary degree:

鈥淢arcia has been a true leader in dental education in Canada and internationally. Marcia鈥檚 accomplishments include being the first female in many roles, but she was never in those roles because she was a woman. She used her intellect, hard work and dedication to excel in all that she did. Most importantly, she intentionally acted as a role model for women in dentistry, but also served as a mentor for many men and women.鈥�

Today, Dr. Boyd is still actively involved in her profession and is a senior associate with ROI Corporation, which works with dentists on practice appraisals and sales.

Dr. Boyd鈥檚 contributions have been recognized many times over. She has received three honorary degrees and was presented with the American Dental Education Association Gies Foundation鈥檚 inaugural William J. Gies award for outstanding achievement by a dental educator. She received a distinguished service award from the Canadian Dental Association and is an honorary member of the American Dental Association.

For her leadership, inspiration and countless contributions to dentistry, I ask you, Mr. Chancellor, in the name of the Senate, to bestow upon Dr. Marcia Boyd the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa.

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