INsi The Douglas College Newsletter | New Westminster Campus, David Lam Campus, Surrey Training Centre April 2009 Dental Assisting Coordinator Debbie McCloy (seated) with students (from left) Sonya Van Hove, Katrina Gardner and Nicole Davie, hopes her team will pave the way to a relationship between the Masaka Regional Hospital in Uganda and the Douglas Health Sciences Faculty. Students prep for Uganda The Dental Assisting Program is sending a trio of students to Uganda for a practicum for the first time. Dental Assisting Coordinator Debbie McCloy is leading the team, which will work in Uganda for one month. They will provide direct care to patients while working with a local dentist in a clinic at the Masaka Regional Hospital. They will also travel to outlying areas to speak with people about preventative care. “The dentist is willing to provide care and has the skills to do so. But he doesn’t have money or skilled support staff, so teeth that could be saved are often extracted because it’s the quickest and cheapest option available,” McCloy explains. While her students have been working hard at fundraising for the trip, McCloy has been gathering donated equipment and supplies, such as restorative materials and sealants, from BC dental suppliers. Items remaining at the end of the practicum will be left at the clinic. She hopes that by introducing a team approach to dental care that she and her students “may be able to create an awareness of what skilled support staff can do.” “People line up and wait for care at the clinic. Four people working together instead of one makes a tremendous difference in how many patients you can help,” says McCloy. She emphasizes that rather than try to change the lifestyles of the people they meet, she and her students will aim to help patients improve their oral health within their current customs. For example, a greater emphasis on prevention may be accomplished with the use of thread instead of expensive commercial floss that the average Ugandan may not be able to afford. McCloy hopes that her team will help establish a relationship between the hospital—which already works with Douglas students from Child, Family and Community Studies programs—and the Health Sciences Faculty. They depart for Uganda on April 25. IN Douglas College 6002 0g UdV QSAIB3035u. Music instructor Doug Smith is thrilled to have been asked to compose a piece for the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Shredder to Doug Smith has come a long way since shredding on the guitar with rock bands as a teen. On April 30, the Music Composition instructor will be in Ottawa to debut a piece commissioned by the National Arts Centre (NAC) orchestra. “This is big news. I’m quite proud of Doug,” says Music Coordinator Bob Caldwell. “This is the most exciting project I have done. It’s door- opening and I don't know what will come through that door,” says Smith of the high- profile gig. The piece will be performed by the NAC Orchestra as part of its Sea to Sky project. His is one of two original pieces that will be featured along with various works by visual and performing artists, all from BC. Caldwell expects Smith’s latest achievement could boost interest in the Music Program. “Students go with the reputation of a teacher, so it’s very important to the College to have Doug’s name out there,” Caldwell explains. composer Smith has built his reputation despite an unconventional beginning in classical music. He first picked up a guitar at 12. His early inspirations were Hendrix, Dylan and the Beatles. Accordingly, he cut his teeth playing in rock bands. However, Smith turned to classical music at 17, frustrated with his bandmates. “The only people I knew who could read music were classical musicians,” Smith says. Today, he feels his background benefits his teaching. “Style is secondary. I think music is like a language and within any language, there are many dialects,” says Smith. As composing is a solitary pursuit, Smith enjoys the interaction he gets with his students. “It’s energizing. They're young and unjaded but burning with ideas. In order to teach, you have to stay active in your field. I get paid to learn more about what I love. That’s a pretty good gig,” says Smith. A friendly agreement The Faculty of Health Sciences recently entered a new partnership with Coquitlam School District 43. Clockwise from centre (standing) are Transition Coordinator for School District 43 Frank Gigliotti, Associate Dean of Health Sciences Silvia Wilson, Associate Superintendent of School District 43 Dan Derpak, Vice President Education Jan Lindsay and Health Sciences Dean Mike Tarko. By: Silvia Wilson, Associate Dean of Health Sciences The Faculty of Health Sciences and Coquitlam School District 43 have developed a memorandum of understanding allowing graduating students from the district to have greater access to all programs in the faculty. The agreement honours the long-standing partnership between the College and the Tri-Cities, and has been signed as part of the Student ‘Transitions initiative. The memorandum dedicates a number of seats specifically for students graduating from high schools in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody. These students will need to meet the entrance requirements for each program, but will be considered within a pool of applicants from the district. A huge thanks to the all the Health Sciences coordinators along with Dean Dr. Mike Tarko and District 43 officers Frank Gigliotti and Jill Reid. A very special thanks also to Regional Student Transitions Coordinator Sharon Smith (VP Education office).