VDDS 2023-24 Board Members
At VDDS’ Annual General Meeting, Monday September 18, 2023, the below Board of Directors was elected:
Dr. Oxana Korj – President 2023-24
Certified Specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Dr Oxana Korj graduated from the University of British Columbia with a DMD degree in 2011. Following graduation, Dr Korj enjoyed a year of general dental practice in Yorkton, Saskatchewan. She then completed her training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC. During her residency, Dr Korj spent her time at several major institutions such as Johns Hopkins, the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the Children’s National Medical Centre. She enjoys a full scope Oral and Maxillofacial surgery practice with a special interest in virtual treatment planning for dental implants, orthognathic surgery and reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Korj is both a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. She is also a proud member of Medical Mission of Mercy USA and has been participating in volunteer missions to the Philippines as a member of the Cleft Lip and Palate surgical team since 2016.
Dr Korj loves and appreciates the beautiful nature of British Columbia and in her spare time enjoys an active outdoor lifestyle. She also enjoys teaching, and has been dedicating her time as a clinical assistant professor at University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry.
Dr. Bobby Birdi – Past-President
Certified Specialist in Periodontics and Prosthodontics
Dr. Birdi received his dental degree from the University of Saskatchewan and his post-graduate specialty training in both periodontics and prosthodontics from the University of Minnesota. He is a Fellow and Examiner for the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and a Diplomate of both the American Board of Periodontology and the American Board of Prosthodontics. Dr. Birdi is one of the very few board certified dual specialists in periodontics and prosthodontics in North America.
He is also a member of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, the Academy of Osseointegration, and a member of the American Academy of Periodontology. He is a reviewer for the Journal of Oral Implantology, Clinical Advances in Periodontics, and the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants (JOMI).
Dr. Birdi presently the co-director of the Pacific Institute for Advanced Dental Education located in Vancouver, Canada, which is a learning centre for his fellow dentists. He is also currently practicing at the BC Perio Dental Health & Implant Centres in Vancouver. His practice focuses on comprehensive periodontal and prosthetic treatment with a major focus on esthetics and implant dentistry.
Dr. Sheena Sood – President-Elect
Sheena was born in Nottingham, England. She moved to Vancouver with her family at the age of three and has lived in Richmond ever since. Sheena completed her Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD) at the University of British Columbia.
Soon after graduation, Sheena envisioned Ironwood Dental Care as a place where dentistry would take place in a warm and caring atmosphere. In 1998, her dream came true when she took Ironwood Dental Care from conception to reality.
Sheena loves to practice dentistry and cherishes each opportunity to make a positive difference to her patients’ dental health. Furthermore, she is both passionate and committed to continued learning and maintaining her leadership role in modern dentistry. The most fulfilling part of practicing dentistry for Sheena is seeing her patients smile with renewed dental health and increased self-confidence.
Dr. Bruce Chou – Chief Marketing Officer
Dr. Bruce Chou is a believer in giving back. He has been an active volunteer since his days in dental school. He has given countless hours to many communities in need of dental care and continues to live his passion for volunteerism and dentistry, donating his services and giving healthy smiles to communities throughout the Lower Mainland.
Dr. Chou was born in Taiwan and raised in Vancouver. He completed his Bachelors Degree in Dental Science, a Masters in Management and a Doctorate in Dental Medicine at the University of British Columbia.
Dr. Bruce Chou continues to show his passion for helping ensure that kids around the world have a healthy smile. In April 2018 he travelled to the Amazon River in Peru, volunteering with a group called Kindness In Action. Along with other dentists, he volunteered for four days at four villages along the Amazon River close to the city of Iquitos, Peru helping kids have happy and healthy smiles.
Dr. John Rogers – Director
Dr. John Rogers was born and raised in St. Catharines, Ontario, graduating from the University of Toronto dental school in 1983.
John continued his training at VGH in the general practice residency program, following which he practised dentistry in Burnaby for several years. In 1991 – 92 Dr. Rogers worked for the health department in Papua, New Guinea as chief dental officer.
He has travelled extensively, and has practised dentistry from the equator to the Arctic Circle! John now practices in White Rock, BC, where he is determined to stay!
John has two children, and his recreational passions include skiing, traveling, photography and scuba diving.
Dr. James Cadigan – Director
Dr. James Cadigan grew up in Winnipeg where he graduated from the University of Manitoba DMD program in 2009. James moved to Vancouver in 2010 when he joined the VDDS, and he took over a general dental clinic in Steveston. He recently gave up being a part-time instructor at the University of British Columbia to work part-time at a satellite office near the Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. In addition to VDDS membership James maintains his skills though membership in the Metro Vancouver Study Club, Alpha Omega, and ITI.
Apart from a life dedicated to his patients James is a music aficionado, and lifetime tennis, squash and badminton player. He and his partner love travelling (including camping), and enjoy being hosts to an endless list of friends and family visiting from out of town. You can catch him in the summer riding his white Harley Roadster named Angel and in the winter snowboarding and skiing on the slopes of Whistler-Blackcomb.
Dr. Austin Chen – Director
Dr. Austin Chen was born in Taiwan and immigrated to Canada at a young age. Raised in Surrey, he obtained his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) as well as his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) Degree from the University of British Columbia (UBC).
Dr. Chen has also been involved in outreach programs in the community. He has volunteered his time at community clinics to provide dental care to the underprivileged population in Richmond, BC, as well as in the Downtown East Side of Vancouver. He enjoys interacting with patients and ensuring their comfort while under his care.
Dr. Chen is always striving to advance his skills by undertaking a variety of continuing education courses, and by his involvement in multiple study clubs. He is also a fan of all things “tech,” and is passionate about staying up to date with the latest technological advances! In addition, Austin is always seeking out great restaurants along with good company. He enjoys staying active and is currently learning how to golf!
Dr. Kary Taylor – Director
Dr. Kary Taylor graduated with a DDS from the University of California, San Francisco Med Center (UCSF). A member of VDDS since moving to BC in 1980, Kary is the past board chairman of the BCDA Oral Health Month Committee. He does international dental missions to Guatemala and is a part-time dentist at the Downtown Eastside (DTES) Free Clinic. In 2014, he was awarded the Hero of the Homeless Award by the City of Surrey for his work at Outlook Dental Clinic.
Kary enjoys staying active, spending time running, hiking, cycling, basketball, and adventure motorcycle touring, as well as playing in a Reggae band. He and his wife Chiara spend much of their time as chauffeurs to their two sons, who participate in a variety of sporting and cultural activities.
Dr. Vivian Y. Chow – Director
Born and raised in Ontario, Dr. Vivian Chow obtained her DDS with Honours from the esteemed University of Western Ontario. Throughout her academic journey, Dr. Chow’s unwavering commitment to excellence led her to receive the Gold Medal in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of Windsor. She was also honoured as a finalist for the distinguished Rhodes Scholar Program, a recognition that highlights her exceptional academic and community achievements.
Dr. Chow’s contributions to the dental community have included serving as a valued member of the Board of Directors as well as Past President for the Vancouver and District Dental Society (VDDS). In addition, she generously shares her knowledge and expertise as a part-time clinical instructor at the UBC Faculty of Dentistry, nurturing the aspiring dental professionals.
Outside of the practice, Dr. Chow finds simple joys in savouring delicious food, exploring her culinary skills, and spending time with her husband and three young children. Dr. Chow takes pleasure in meeting new patients and believes in conservative and preventative treatment to help her patients obtain the best for their oral health.
Dr. Ron Zokol – Director
Dr. Ron Zokol is proud to acknowledge his 20 years of practice partnership with his father, a certified specialist in prosthodontics. Prior to his involvement with implant dentistry, he became recognized for his restorative skills with direct and indirect gold restorations, resulting in him being awarded “Clinician of the Year” by the American Academy of Gold Foil Operators award in 1997.
Ron is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry and of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. He holds Fellowships in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the American College of Dentists, and the Academy of Dentistry International. He has over 25 years of experience in implant dentistry and has spent more than 10 years as a surgical instructor for the Misch International Implant Institute.
Over the last 30 years, Ron has been appointed to many posts in numerous dental associations, including the presidency of the Vancouver and District Dental Society, Chair of the General Examination Committee, and Chief Examiner for the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia. He has lectured internationally for many years in the field of Prosthodontics and Implant Surgery and is presently the director of the Pacific Implant Institute located in Vancouver, Canada, which is a learning centre for his fellow dentists.
Ron lives in Vancouver with his wife, Marie and their three sons.
