Mike Petryk School of Dentistry

Today we unveil the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions to help guide you through the transition.

Why is the School of Dentistry being named?

The naming of the school is a tribute to Dr. Mike Petryk DDS ‘60, whose life and family have been significantly impacted by the education that he received at the University of Alberta’s School of Dentistry. The change of name is also the University’s way of recognizing a $10M donation to the School of Dentistry to create the Petryk School of Dentistry Endowment.

Who is Dr. Mike Petryk, and what has been his role in the school?

Dr. Mike Petryk graduated from the School of Dentistry in 1960. He was born in Northern Alberta to Ukrainian immigrant parents and had a dentistry career spanning more than 40 years, primarily serving patients in Calgary. Patricia Petryk, Mike’s wife, graduated from the Faculty of Education with a diploma in 1957 and a degree in 1959.  Mike and Pat have two children Susan Petryk BMedSci ‘90 and MD ‘92 and Robert Petryk who’s education includes Bachelor of Commerce (Finance), Masters’ in Business Administration and Law degrees.  The Petryk family have multi generational ties to the University of Alberta. You can read more about Dr. Petryk’s legacy here.

How will this change affect me as a faculty/staff member?

As a faculty or staff member, this naming represents an opportunity to continue our mission of delivering outstanding dental education, research, and patient care under the legacy of Mike Petryk. Operationally we will continue to function as we have been with gradual rollout of branding to reflect the new name.

Will there be any changes to the curriculum or programs as a result of this naming?

No, the core curriculum and programs offered by the school will remain unchanged. The naming is a symbolic gesture to honor the Petryk family’s legacy and does not impact the academic structure or content of our educational programs.

Will this change have any impact on our budgets / operational spend?

No, this gift is not intended to cover any operational shortfalls.

Can you tell me more about the donation itself? What will it be used for? 

This philanthropic gift is an investment in the long-term success and sustainability of the School. The University has agreed to a schedule that works for both the donor and the University. The funds will be contributed to an endowment that will grow over many years.

Will the name of the Oral Health Clinic change as well? 

No, the name of the Oral Health Clinic will not change. However, you may see it referred to alongside the new School name. For example we can refer to it as the Oral Health Clinic at the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry.

What changes will be implemented with the naming of the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry?

With the official naming of our School to the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry, there are several changes and updates that will be implemented to ensure a smooth transition and consistent branding across all communications and materials:

Branding and Communication Materials:

• All official communications, presentations, and printed materials will now reflect the new name. Updated templates for letters, memos, and presentations are available for download in the designated Template Folder.

• Signage around the School will be updated to reflect the new name. Additionally, our website and email signatures will also be updated to include the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry.

• We will continue to use the University of Alberta logo. More information on brand guidelines and how to use the School name with the logo are available for faculty and staff here.

Email Signatures and Business Cards:

• All faculty and staff will need to update their email signatures to reflect the new name. Templates and guidelines for these updates can be found in the templates folder. When business cards need to be replaced, they should be ordered through the Burke online portal using the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry as the department name. 

External Communications:

• We will be issuing formal communications to our alumni, partners, vendors, and other key audiences to inform them of the name change. Faculty and staff are encouraged to use the new templates when corresponding with external parties.

Official Documentation and Forms:

• All official forms, documentation, and stationery will be updated to reflect the new name. It may take some time to transition all internal and clinic forms and documents. Digital versions of these documents will be available in the Template Folder as they are updated.