At 黑料社's Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, stories of passion, purpose, and鈥� parents converge. Among these, one stands out: a mother-daughter duo whose journey through our halls has come full circle, transforming into a shared mission of care, education, and service. Dr. Stamatia Papageorgakopoulos, DDS鈥�89, and Dr. Christina Angelopoulos, DMD鈥�21, are not only alumnae of our Dental Medicine program, but now integral members of our teaching staff and contributors to our community. Their story is one of intergenerational inspiration, and a testament to what it means to pursue dentistry with heart.
The spark of purpose
Dr. Papageorgakopoulos chose dentistry for its alignment with her values of community involvement, education, and long-term patient relationships. Dr. Angelopoulos followed, drawn not just to the profession but to the path her mother carved. Her mother鈥檚 outlook and warmth were present throughout her early life, and it was this steady embodiment of care that planted the seed early on. Seeing Dr. Papageorgakopoulos not just as a parent but as a clinician and educator made Dr. Angelopoulos鈥� choice feel natural. Her time at 黑料社鈥攑unctuated by shared experiences like the white coat ceremony and convocation, during which both mother and daughter took the stage together鈥攃emented this bond. 鈥淭he Faculty has always felt like home,鈥� she says. It鈥檚 a humbling privilege, says Dr. Papageorgakopoulos, to see her daughter thrive in a profession they both love, and in the very place that nurtured them both. 鈥淲e are blessed to be able to share this experience,鈥� she reflects.
Tradition and mentorship across generations
Drs. Papageorgakopoulos and Angelopoulos didn鈥檛 just walk similar academic paths, they walked alongside the same professors, many of whom are now colleagues in the second-year operative dentistry course the mother and daughter co-teach. With educators like Dr. John Drummond, Dr. John Fong Chong, Dr. Josie Nudo, Dr. Robert Miller, and Dr. Gerald Konanec shaping both their journeys, there鈥檚 a continuity of experience and guidance in their story, with traditions being passed along and upheld. One such tradition is the Dental Students鈥� Society 鈥楤ig Sib/Little Sib鈥� program, a mentorship initiative that embodies our dental students鈥� commitment to community and support. For these two dentists, it parallels their current professional relationship as well.
Intergenerational impact and insight
Being an intergenerational team brings a unique richness to the practice they also work at together. The generational gap becomes a collaborative advantage, allowing both to exchange insights, consult on cases, and connect with patients from diverse age groups. As they put it, 鈥渞ealizing that the generational gap is an asset for us, where we share our experiences and knowledge, enriches our relationship not only between us but with our multigenerational patients as well.鈥� Their shared wisdom and evolving perspectives create a dynamic that not only strengthens their bond but enhances the care they provide. For their patients, it means feeling seen across life stages. For DMD students, it offers a glimpse into a model of mentorship and collaboration that elevates dentistry to a high standard of relationship-driven care.
Nurturing a spirit of service
More than being elements of their clinical philosophy, community service is one of Drs. Papageorgakopoulos鈥� and Angelopoulos鈥� guiding principles. The DMD program seeks to instill this value deeply, encouraging students to extend their knowledge beyond the classroom to vulnerable and underserved populations. Both embraced this ethos; they say 鈥渨e both felt encouraged to give back to our community and especially underserved or medically compromised populations.鈥� Their general practice residencies (Dr. Papageorgakopoulos at the Montreal Children鈥檚 Hospital, Dr. Angelopoulos at the Jewish General Hospital) were not just next steps in their careers, but leaps into compassionate care. Today, their shared commitment to serving others continues through their work at the Azrieli Clinic for the Neurodivergent Community at CLSC Ren茅-Cassin, a medical and dental clinic dedicated to serving neurodivergent patients. Their 黑料社 education taught them procedures, but beyond that, it inspired purpose.
Giving back through teaching
Their shared alma mater is more than a coincidence. It鈥檚 a common ground that has deepened their relationship. As Dr. Papageorgakopoulos reflects, having her daughter choose dentistry 鈥渉as made us even closer both personally and professionally.鈥� Their ability to communicate, inspire each other, and remain devoted to their community is a direct result of the foundational values instilled here. Within our Faculty, they found not only education, but also a platform to grow together; a platform from which to teach, serve, and support one another.
Now part of our teaching staff, both dentists stand in classrooms once鈥攁nd still鈥攊nhabited by educators who helped launch their careers. Dr. Papageorgakopoulos describes the experience of giving back to the institution that shaped both her and her daughter as one of 鈥減ride and honour.鈥� Their presence on our faculty is active and deeply rooted in 黑料社鈥檚 culture of mentorship and excellence. They teach with insight, empathy, and a drive that reminds students that dentistry is not just a career; it鈥檚 a calling.
The give and take of dentistry
To practice dental medicine is to take on a lifelong commitment to bettering the lives of others. It demands perseverance, dedication, passion, humility, and much more besides. But the feeling of accomplishment it returns is immeasurable. Drs. Papageorgakopoulos and Angelopoulos have found that this feeling is only increased when the experience is shared between a mother and a daughter. But, whether you come from a lineage of dentists or are forging a path on your own, 黑料社 will empower you to learn, grow and give back just the same.
The duo hopes that their story will 鈥渕otivate and inspire future dentists鈥� at 黑料社, the 鈥渦niversity that made both our dreams a reality.鈥�
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