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The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) graduate training program at Dalhousie University was started at Dalhousie University in 1969 under the leadership of Dr. Frank Lovely (DDS’59). Three years later, the first MSc in Oral Surgery was awarded to Dr. David Precious, former dean of the Faculty of Dentistry. Over 50 years on, the program continues to provide highly respected graduate training to training to OMF surgeons from around the world.

50th anniversary celebrations – delayed by COVID-19 – for the OMFS program took place on October 19-20, 2023. Over 40 alumni, residents, and fellows, together with many current and retired Victoria General Hospital staff, attended a welcome reception in the foyer of the Joseph Strugg Concert Hall on the 19th.

A day of continuing education took place on October 20 in the Victoria General auditorium. Drs. Brian Schmidt (NYU), David Koppel (McGill), and Daniel Boyd (Dal), were the main speakers.

Three alumni, Dr. Reg Goodday (1988), Kevin Lung (1994), and Susan Bourque (2013), recounted their days at the VG, while the current residents, Drs. Chad Sampson, David Gagnier, Katherine Curry, Amr Alsabbagh, Abdul El-Rabbany, and Erik Tamberg provided an update on the current research taking place in the department.

Dr. Frank Lovely talks about the early beginnings of the OMFS Graduate Training Program at Dalhousie

A dinner at the Westin Hotel rounded off the anniversary celebrations, with Dr. Frank Lovely recounting the events that led to the creation of the OMFS program at Dalhousie.

During the celebrations, Dr. Chris Robinson became an Honorary Fellow of the Department of OMFS at Dalhousie University. 

"Chris has been a tremendous friend and mentor to so many of our alumni," says Dr. Chad Robertson, chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Sciences. "His many contributions and years of leadership at the CAOMS and RCDC have benefited us all.  We were honoured to have him join our celebration."