Today@Dal

Dr. David Precious was surprised when he was chosen to receive a Diamond Jubilee medal.

“I wasn’t initially aware of the terms,” says the Dalhousie professor, who quickly realized he was in some elite company: his ceremony, held earlier this fall, was for Nova Scotian members of the Order of Canada who were being awarded the Diamond Jubilee Medal (that's him pictured with Lieutenant Governor J. J. Grant). His company included Dal Chancellor Fred Fountain, School of Business namesake Ken Rowe and many others.

 “It was very nice: an upbeat happy occasion,” says Dr. Precious. “I saw a lot of people at the ceremony who are all wonderfully talented, and I felt honoured to be among them.”

Dr. Precious, a Dal professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for more than 35 years, was celebrated for his groundbreaking global work in treating children with cleft lip and palate. He also trains local surgeons in countries like Vietnam, Tunisia, Brazil and India to conduct the life-changing functional surgery themselves.

 “It’s an incredibly happy surgery,” he says. “These children, it makes such a difference in their lives. The patients are wonderful, and the families are so appreciative.”

“In a way, it’s almost selfish,” he says, when asked why his international humanitarian work has been such an important part of his career. “It’s so gratifying, to be able to provide a relatively simple surgery, free of charge, that can bring such joy to these children’s lives.”