The Cambrian Foundation is pleased to announce that the first recipient of the Cambrian College Board of Governors' Award is Javier Bayona, a student in the College's Dental Hygiene program.

Javier is a first-year student who holds a perfect 4.0 GPA. In addition to being an exceptional student, Javier also manages the added responsibilities of family, as he and his wife are the proud parents of a two-year old son. The Bayona family is new to Canada, arriving in 2003 from their native Colombia in hopes of securing a safe and prosperous future for themselves in their new homeland.

Javier was drawn to the Dental Hygiene program at Cambrian by his passion for helping others and because of his previous experience in the field of dentistry in his native Colombia.

"I love working in the dental health field," he said. "I am very sensitive to people's needs and willing to help them whenever possible."

In Colombia, Javier worked for over seven years as a licensed dentist, and during that time, he was also involved in researching, planning, and developing community health programs.

"Oral health prevention is an essential service to provide," explained Javier. "I hope to continue focusing on preventative and promotional health programs that will ensure the general well-being of my community."

Through the College's Dental Hygiene program, Javier has been involved in community oral health promotion initiatives in Sudbury, such as the Walk for a Smile fund raising event. He also volunteers to act as a patient for first-year Dental Hygiene students who require clinical experiences that they cannot obtain elsewhere.

According to Heather Blondin, coordinator of Dental Health programs at Cambrian, "Javier has consistently demonstrated a professional attitude and is known for being highly respectful of faculty and students in the program. He is a very well-liked individual."

Despite the obstacles that they have faced, Javier and his family are making the most out of the opportunities that have been provided to them. Javier's wife, Ruth, is also a Cambrian College student in the Pre-Health Sciences program. Together, they are making a future for themselves and their son - a future that Cambrian College is proud to support through the Cambrian College Board of Governors' Award.