We are deeply saddened by the accidental death of Tamara Edinger (b. 1987) on August 22, 2013. Tamara was a dental hygiene student about to enter the fourth (and final) year of the program.

Tamara was an intelligent and inspirational person who worked extremely hard and possessed an innate sense of compassion. She was a keen and stellar student, who had earned a position on the Dean’s List for students who achieve an overall academic average of at least 85%.

She also gained much respect and admiration from all who were privileged to know her. Tamara was always attentive, engaged in classes, and simply eager to learn. She was a critical thinker, always prepared to challenge assumptions and speak on behalf of her peers. She was an advocate and a leader.

Tamara was regularly involved in UBC Dentistry’s community outreach programs and recently was an outstanding volunteer leader with the Homeless Awareness Week initiative in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. She recruited a team of student volunteers to provide oral health education to this community.

Tamara’s outstanding commitment to her education led to several awards. In her first year at UBC Dentistry she received the Colgate-Palmolive Prize in Dental Hygiene, and in her second year was awarded the Impact of Ten Award. She was to receive the Dean of Dentistry Dental Hygiene Scholarship this year which her parents have donated to a new award, established in Tamara’s name.

Tamara left a lasting and positive impression with everyone she met. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.

The Tamara Edinger Dental Hygiene Memorial Award has been established by her fellow students at the UBC Faculty of Dentistry to honour her memory as a student leader, a passionate advocate for community involvement and a committed dental hygiene professional.

Your contribution will provide a fitting tribute to Tamara’s life, by rewarding and supporting a dental student who embodies the values that Tamara lived by.