Volume 8 • 2021 • Issue 2

Remembering Dentistry Leaders Dr.Gérald(Jerry) Dushkin Dr. Jerry Dushkin of Montreal, QC, passed away on January 25, 2021. He was 67 years old. D r. Dushkin studied dentistry at McGill University where he received his DDS in 1979. The following year, he took a residency program in pediatric dentistry at the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Upon graduation, Dr. Dushkin went on to private pediatric practice at the Anjou Dental Centre in Montreal. Dr. Dushkin was involved in organized dentistry since dental school. While at McGill, he served as the student representative to the Quebec Order of Dentists (ODQ). In 1981, he joined the Mount Royal Dental Society; he served on its Board of Directors until 1994 and then on its Executive Committee until 2012. In the 1990s, he became involved with the Quebec Dental Surgeons Association (QDSA) and CDA in several capacities. He sat on QDSA’s Board of Directors (1995–2012) and on its Executive Board (1998–2011). At CDA, he was a member of the Board of Governors and the Executive Council from 2001–03. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the profession, Dr. Dushkin received CDA’s Certificate of Service in 2004. “Jerry was a good friend, a loving husband and father, a true gentleman and a consummate host,” remembers friend and colleague Dr. Kevin Roach, CDA president in 1989–90. “He was undoubtedly an outstanding leader in the dental community. He was a giver, not a taker. Jerry was a man who firmly believed in and lived by the axiom with which he signed off his correspondence: Make Today Outstanding .” Dr. Dushkin was a proud fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy (PFA). He was chairman of the PFA Quebec section (2010–14), served as PFA Canadian trustee (2014–18), and was elected PFA International vice-president in 2018. He was set to take over as International president in October 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his installation had been postponed to 2021. Dr. Dushkin would have been the third Canadian to become PFA International president in the 85-year history of the Academy. The PFA is developing a $1,000 scholarship in Dr. Dushkin’s honour to be given to a fourth-year student who exemplifies exceptional leadership skills at McGill University. “I will never forget the generosity and kindness Jerry extended to me, taking me under his wing and mentoring me to take over his position as Canadian chair to the PFA,” says Dr. Lisa Bentley, PFA Canadian trustee. “He emailed me all of his letters to our Fellows, to ensure that I would be successful. Jerry always had my back; he was a true friend and mentor. He was kind and generous and always smiling. I will miss him dearly.” As much as he loved the profession, Dr. Dushkin deeply cared about people. He had a true talent for bringing people together. He volunteered in non-dental organizations, such as Camp B’nai Brith, a Jewish community camp for children, where he served as a governor for more than 30 years. Dr. Dushkin’s friends and colleagues all describe him as a kind, genuine, honest, and sincere person, always showing an unwavering positive attitude, a bright smile and a welcoming handshake. In his spare time, Dr. Dushkin enjoyed cycling through Montreal, snowshoeing, running and sharing laughs and coffee. He is survived by his wife Patricia (Patti) Benisti, his children Scott and Colin, and many other family members. O bituaries 46 | 2021 | Issue 2