Trina Bourgeois - President

I am what you would call a veteran RDA; I have worked in the dental field for 30 years ~ now. I still enjoy all aspects of dentistry and my current job working in an Endodontic practice.  I have upgraded to include the scaling module,  although in endodontic practice I'm not practicing any scaling, haha!

I am certainly not new on the Board of Directors but have enjoyed the various committees I have encountered within the Board in the last 6 years +.  Having this experience is why I decided to put my name in for the President role.  It is a big undertaking but we all need to do our part to manage our association.  It is a great experience and has offered insight into many aspects to the process of our our profession from the inside out.

In my spare time I enjoy camping, traveling (when we can again) as well as motorcycling and vacuuming hair from my beautiful and fun, but hairy dogs!

I feel confident that I can lead the wonderful Board of Directors who offers their time and effort for whatever they are able to manage. It certainly takes a team to do what we do and we are always looking for new team players.

Thank you,

Trina Bourgeois

Heather Brownlee - President Elect

My name is Heather Brownlee and I have been a Dental Assistant for over 40 years graduating from RRC in 1977 with my Phase11 Dental Assisting Diploma, taking my Ortho Module in 1984 and Extended Duties in 2003.  

I became involved in our local and national Dental Assisting Associations 40 years ago serving on the then Winnipeg Dental Assistants Association and Manitoba Dental Assistants Association in many capacities.   I took an extended leave while I was raising my children becoming actively involved in both the MDAA and CDAA in 2007 when RDA’s in Manitoba became licenced under the MDA.    I along with a group of dedicated RDA’s  worked tirelessly to rejuvenate the Manitoba Dental Assistants Association to bring it to professional organization we have today representing RDA’s of Manitoba. 

I have served as a Board Member, President, Past President, and Secretary and presently am the President Elect for MDAA.

I serve as the MDAA Board member to the CDAA and I am presently the President Elect for CDAA.   I also serve on the Knowledge and Transfer Committee and By-Law and Governance Committees for the CDAA.

I am presently one of the CDAA Members on the CDAA. CDHA and CDA Healthy Workplace Group creating resources through a new website to help dental teams develop safe respectful workplace.

In my spare time I curl, bowl and walk for exercise, like knitting and doing different crafts for family and friends and hopefully in retirement will be able to start gardening both flowers and vegetables.  I enjoy spending time with my four grandkids and traveling across Canada by train with my husband to visit our kids who live in Vancouver and Halifax.

Going forward I look forward to represent RDA’s in Manitoba as CDAA advocates to have the Dental Assisting Profession reclassified through the National Occupational Analysis which will give us more recognition for our formal training.   I would also like to see Registered Dental Assistants represented from coast to coast.   

Sincerely,

Heather Brownlee

Jessica Schultz  - Treasurer

Hello!  My name is Jessica,  I  have worked in the dental community for almost 10 years since graduating from Red River College in 2012.  I work at a child-focused office and truly enjoy working with children, it is equally challenging and rewarding. 

I am a new member of the board and look forward to assisting in developing the profession of Dental Assisting. I am honoured to join the board and ensure growth for the current and future generations of Dental Assistants. I am dedicated to this profession and it is a great privilege to be involved. 

In my spare time, I love the outdoors, I play softball in the summer and enjoy weekends at the lake with my husband and our dog Hunter. I enjoy spending time with family and friends in pretty much any way possible. 

C. Athena Wilford - Secretary

My name is C. Athena Wilford and have been a Dental Assistant for 30 years. Following graduation from Red River College Polytech in 1993, I was employed as a Registered Dental Assistant in General Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry and Oral Surgery. I had a desire to not only provide support care in the dental field but to become an educator, completing Adult Education in 2008, returning to Red River College Polytech, Winkler Campus as Instructor/Program coordinator. Then in 2016 made a transfer as Instructor to RRC Polytech, Notre Dame Campus in Winnipeg.

I have opportunity experience to serve as current subcommittee member to the MDA IPC, past representative NDAEB Board of Directors 2016-2019, MDA Board of Directors (RDA Rep) 2011-2013. I also found unique opportunity experience to travel with several of my students from RRC Polytech, Dental Assisting Program, along with dentists, medical and pharmaceutical professionals to Guatemala to provide health care in rural communities.

Most recently before Pandemic, I was part of a dental team that provided dental care to women and their children at Xela, Guatemala prison. The mission partnership continued over 10 years providing not only care for those in need, but provided a wonderful opportunity for Red River College Polytech, Dental Assisting Students, a valuable life experience. I look forward to serving my Dental Assisting Members.

Marta Bhopalsingh - Director

My name is Marta Bhopalsingh.  I graduated from RRC in 2005.  I have been an  RDA for 16 years now.  I enjoy all aspects of dentistry.  I've worked in general practice, Perio (private practice and at the Dental College) and now I'm at Graduate Prosthodontics department at the College of Dentistry. 

I'm a mother of two  kids. Jacob is 11 and Julia is 9. Our kids are pretty active doing Folk Polish Dance, swimming, Saturday Polish School  and what not. In our spare time we love going hiking specially Whiteshell .  

I would love to take this opportunity and say thank you for welcoming me to the MDAA Board of Directors. I'm looking forward to helping out to make Dental Assisting greater than it is.

Tabatha Blais - Director

My name is Tabatha Blais and this will be my 3^rd year sitting on the Board as a Director.  I am the representative for the Dental Assistant’s on the Infection Prevention and Control Committee. Infection control in the dental office is very near and dear to my heart and I take this role with the upmost respect when representing all RDA’s in Manitoba.

I graduated in 2007 for CDI College as well as obtained my Orthodontic module as well in 2007 at Red River College. I started my career in a small General Practice office, until 2018, when I decided to pursue an opportunity within a Periodontal/Prosthodontic office where I am currently the office manager.  Being an office manager, I am finding myself enrolling in all different types of seminars which benefits me in all aspects of the dental field. I always find myself eager to learn more!

When I’m not at the office or on Zoom calls, you can find me renovating, hiking, relaxing at the cabin and spending much needed quality time with my family and friends.

Pam Mikos - Director

Hello, my name is Pamela Mikos. I’ve been a Dental assistant since 2007 when I graduated from Calgary. I moved to Winnipeg in 2009 and have enjoyed being an assistant.

Over the years I have assisted in almost every specialty and love everything about it! In 2019 I joined the MDAA Board of directors. I’m on the Fluoride committee and the CDI Advisory committee.

I have 2 young children and am currently working close to full time. I love this city and look forward to meeting more people in the future!

Meghan Ostlund - Director

Meghan Ostlund joined the MDAA Board of Directors in the Spring of 2022.

Meghan grew up in the Winnipeg area and graduated from Red River College Polytech with her certificate as a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) as part of the class of '99.

Shortly after graduating from RRC Polytech, she joined Rykiss Orthodontics and has been part of the team there since then. 

Meghan says she enjoys working with her 'family' at Rykiss and seeing the smiling faces of clients. 

Meghan is the mother of two teenage boys and enjoys fishing for Musky with her husband.

Navroop Randhawa - Director

As an accomplished Dental Assistant for past 6 years till present day I have always cherished all aspects of dental assisting specially orthodontics. I am very positive that working as MDAA board member is going be an honor for me.

I have been connected to Dentistry since 2006 when I got into dental school back home in India. Graduated as a dentist in 2012 and decided to immigrate to Canada in 2014 with dream in my eyes to work in dental always appreciated what came my way so I graduated as a dental assistant from CDI College in 2016.

As an individual I am very hard working, always positive, good listener and always smiling. I look forward to meeting you to discuss how my experience and background meet your requirements

Sincerely

Navroop Randhawa

Duncan Stokes
Chief Executive Officer

I have several years experience in non-profit management, combined with many more working in communications and marketing. My career has included 20 years as a radio broadcaster (Thompson, Dryden, ON  and Winnipeg), terms managing the Snowmobilers of Manitoba (Snoman Inc.), and the Manitoba Eco-Network offices, as well as experience in the communications and marketing departments at Winnipeg Harvest (now Harvest Manitoba) and the MS Society of Canada (MB Division).

I embrace the challenge of managing the MDAA office and hope to utilize my talents and experience to help the association any way I possibly can.

In my spare time, I am a father, grandfather, son, brother and uncle among many other titles. I consider myself a ‘sports junkie’, especially for Winnipeg’s Jets, Blue Bombers and Goldeyes, as well as Valour FC. I am fascinated by animals, especially apes. I count dog and cat rescues as part of my family.

I was born, raised and have spent most of my life living and working in Winnipeg, I love the city. The mosquitoes, the extremes of hot/cold weather and even the jokes about Winnipeg are things I take in stride.

Everything I need to stay happy is in Winnipeg.