Volume 9 • 2022 • Issue 3

CDA President Profile “I met Lynn serendipitously in 2004 when I was on vacation in Spain. We crossed paths and immediately were fast friends, which was great because we are from different generations. I credit Lynn for my choice to pursue a career in dentistry. She opened my eyes to the possibilities of the profession, how profoundly rewarding it can be, and how it can transform lives. She is a mentor, both personally and professionally, and she deeply cares about helping me reach my goals. Lynn has had a tremendous impact on my life and undoubtedly on countless others.” -Dr. Nada Tabbara, practising dentist in London, Ontario “It has been a privilege to watch Lynn become the fantastic leader she is today. She came into organized dentistry with intelligence and passion, and the ODA was an extraordinary training ground, where she grew as an executive. The committee structures at ODA and CDA provide learning opportunities and being part of these organizations put Lynn in contact not only with practising dentists, but also professors, researchers, policy experts, and people in government. Lynn has an expansive and detailed view of dentistry in Canada, from which she has developed an inspired sense of what its future could be.” -Dr. Larry Levin, former ODA and CDA president “Lynn is a great supporter of dentistry in academia and has an acute understanding of what universities are meant to do. Our work is to train people to become outstanding dentists, but it doesn’t end there. Dentistry is a learned professionandevidence-based, so theuniversity iswhereweadvance theprofession by creating knowledge through research. Then we can pass it on. Lynn appreciates this dual purpose and knows that strong dental schools mean a strong profession.” -Dr. Daniel Haas, dean of the U of T faculty of dentistry “Lynn is obviously outstanding professionally. Not only are her technical skills wonderful, she also has excellent interpersonal skills. She treats patients with such kindness and caring. This sense of caring is something that really drew me to her as a friend. Not only is Lynn a Godparent to one of our children, John and I asked that Lynn and Dan be guardians of our children if anything were to happen to us. It is a huge honour and responsibility for Lynn to agree to take over the parenting of our children if we were unable to do so. She also shares her spirit of adventure and love for the natural world with the people in her life. I am not a camper by nature, but when we’ve gone camping with Lynn and Dan, it has been superb.” -Dr. Jane Puskas, past president of the Hinman Dental Society Dr. Lynn Tomkins: Colleague Testimonials