Fab Four Story - Dental Hygienist Sisters

The Cambrian College Alumni Association is honored to feature the four Vezeau sisters who are proud graduates of the Dental Hygiene program.

This fab four - Brenda, Suzanne, Deborah and Monique - are the pride and joy of mom, Agnes. One could imagine the challenges of raising four girls, but the triumph of having all four daughters complete higher education out weighs any challenges perceived. The sisters extend a sincere "Thank you" to their Mother Agnes for all her love and support. In appreciation, the girls are sending Mom to Penticton, B.C. for a long awaited and well deserved vacation. Father, Albert, beams when he thinks of his young girls growing up in the small town of Spanish, ON and blossoming into four lovely ladies that have the character to achieve success as college graduates!

Suzanne Carlson, currently resides in Barrie with her husband and Danielle, their nine month old daughter. She is working in a general dentistry office. Deborah Vezeau-Gauthier, lives in Coldwater, with her husband and she too is working in a general dentistry office. Brenda Patrick resides in Lively with her husband and two children, Benjamin and Teri. Brenda is working with a local orthodontic office.

Monique Vezeau-Lyons currently lives in Calgary. She is working in a general practice setting and plans to complete her local anaesthetic module. After that, Monique aspires to achieve a Baccalaureate of Dental Hygiene. Monique earned her diploma in Dental Assisting in 1993, Preventive Dental Assisting in 1997 and complete the Dental Hygiene program in 2001.

The Dental Hygenist Faculty of Cambrian College, Heather Blondin, Nancy Rose and Lisa Kelly, all remember the Vezeau sisters as being "extremely dedicated to their chosen profession." Lisa Kelly commented on Deborah and Monique as ‘’excellent role models" for the Dental Hygienist program. Suzanne was remembered by Nancy Rose as having "a keen sense of learning." While Heather Blondin invited Brenda to teach Ortho classes once she had graduated, Brenda kindly declined, she was just not comfortable about teaching her own sisters.

One faculty member who is fondly remembered by each of the sisters is Nancy Rose. Nancy has been with the School of Health and Human Services since 1992, and has supported and encouraged many students through the challenges of going to school away from home. Suzanne laughs as she recalls her classmates’ reaction to Nancy’s nonchalant observance of lack of male patients one particular week in October. It was moose hunting season, and as many northerners are aware, "‘tis the season of male bonding." Needless to say, the classmates from the southern regions of Ontario were somewhat appalled at the thought of hunting a moose.

Nancy was always one that each sister knew they could count on during challenging times. Her encouragement, support and sense of humor helped the sisters to remain solid and focused on their goals.

Claudette Carbone is another faculty member who stands out in the minds of the sisters. Her zealous approach towards studies and self discipline in the field of Dental Hygiene influenced the sisters to work hard. In Monique’s own words, "Claudette Carbone always demanded the best of me," she said. "(I credit her for) making me want to succeed and strive for the best results in both theory and clinical settings."

The sisters agree that the best thing about attending Cambrian College is the feeling of belonging. Suzanne reflected on attending Cambrian, compared to her time in a southern college: "In the north people are just naturally more ‘down to earth.’ My memories of Cambrian are all good."

Needless to say, the Vezeau sisters have left their mark with the School of Health and Human Services. Competition to be accepted into the Dental Hygienist program is very fierce and is a feat in itself. To have four sisters all be accepted and successfully graduate is an achievement that very few might imagine. If these statistics were to be recorded, the Vezeau ladies may be the largest family in Ontario, if not Canada, registered with the Canadian Dental Hygiene Association (CDHA.)