June 12, 2009
Media contact: Patty Wellborn
Office: 604-795-2819
patty.wellborn@ufv.ca
Award winner goes from cleaning rooms to cleaning teeth
 |
|
Angela Morris |
Angela Morris certainly sees the irony in her career change. The Harrison Hot Springs resident spent five years after high school working in a local hotel, the last two in the housekeeping department. It was not her dream job and last fall she registered in UFV’s Certified Dental Assistant program. She graduates from the 10-month certificate program this month at the top of her class. And throughout all of her studies, she has retained her sense of humour and an enthusiastic attitude.
“I went from cleaning people’s rooms to cleaning their teeth,” she laughs. “I also wore braces for five years, so I spent plenty of time in the dental chair and dental offices. I know what it’s like to have someone working on your teeth.”
Morris was excited about the opportunity to go back to school. After making beds and scrubbing floors for five years, she was ready to hit the books and put all of her effort into studying. She laughs and says her fiancé thought she was crazy because she dedicated so much time to school work.
But her efforts are being rewarded. In addition to being on the dean’s list, Morris has won the Outstanding Achievement award in Dental Assisting and is also this year’s winner of the Lieutenant Governor’s medal. This medal is presented each spring at UFV’s convocation and is awarded to the top student in a one-year certificate program.
“I am really surprised about this, but I was constantly studying,” Morris says. “I really didn’t have a life for the past 10 months. I told myself that if I was going to go back to school I was going to do it well. And I guess the hard work has paid off.”
It’s her sense of humour, spark, and commitment to hard work that made Morris stand out from the crowd of dedicated dental assisting students this year, says UFV CDA program coordinator Rosie Friesen.
“Angie is a hard working student who consistently exhibits a positive attitude and is indeed an example of professionalism. She has been an exemplary student demonstrating excellence in both her academic and clinical performance,” says Friesen. “Her interpersonal skills are outstanding and enable her to relate well to her clients, colleagues, and instructors.”
Friesen points out that, while Morris did study hard, there is much more to her than just good grades.
“Angie is a selfless individual who is willing to go the extra mile for the program, her classmates, and her instructors. This was evident in her willingness to take on the class rep role, which demanded much of her time and efforts.”
As class rep, Morris organized class activities such as potluck lunches and the purchase of class hoodies. She was also a peer tutor to some of her classmates. Friesen says Morris was also an enthusiastic advocate for the program and helped out at the UFV career information evening and the CDA information session. Morris is also a member of the Certified Dental Assistant advisory committee and actively contributes in this capacity.
She is just completing her practicum work and is already being considered for a job. Friesen said she has excelled in her practicum and the dental office where she worked described her as “very enthusiastic, hard working, reliable….and an asset to the practice.”
“I really like working with people and I know with this career there are lots of growth opportunities,” Morris says. “There are so many areas where you can evolve in the dental field and I’m looking forward to working in an office where I can work and learn more. This career change was just the right timing for me and I’m so glad I decided to go back to school.”
-30-
