In recognition of his community service and commitment to lifelong learning, Dr. Alex Mitchell, a dentist, received the 2025 Promising Alumni Award from Camosun College.
“Receiving the award means a lot to me,” noted Mitchell in a news release. “Camosun represented a place where I got my footing in education, and as a C student in high school, it allowed me to get a foothold in academia.”
His education journey started at Camosun when he applied to the associate degree program, and after his 2015 graduation, he transferred to UVic where he completed a degree in biology, which led to the University of British Columbia, where he graduated with a doctorate in dental medicine in 2024.
“Camosun helped me to develop a really strong foundation of knowledge,” he noted. “To understand how things work opposed to memorizing facts. Additionally, Camosun allowed me to develop my critical thinking and problem-solving skills because the exam questions were testing the fundamental concept rather than rote memorization.”
Over time, he has worked on multiple qualitative research projects, including improving the UBC Dentistry online interview process, integrating nurse practitioners across the province, and exploring how ketamine-assisted therapy can help nurses with PTSD.
While pursuing his dental studies, Mitchell was elected by his classmates as admissions representative for UBC Dentistry and served twice as the dentistry senator, advocating for the well-being of the doctor of dental medicine program. He has also volunteered at the Vancouver Aboriginal Health Society, a low-cost dental clinic where he consulted with patients facing financial constraints and provided emergency treatment options to those in need.
Beyond direct patient care, He founded the UBC Dentistry Peer Mentorship Program, collaborating with school faculty to create a system for students to receive advice from more experienced peers. He organized training sessions, including suicide prevention training, and regularly scheduled meetings for students to talk about school stresses.
“Congratulations Alex on your commitment to your community and to lifelong learning,” says Lane Trotter, Camosun College president. “We are all impressed by your efforts to help those in need of support.”
Recently, he was accepted into the University of Alberta’s periodontal program, reaching a lifetime goal when he graduates as a periodontist in 2028.
“My aim is to become a well-rounded periodontist that keeps up with the latest innovation and literature while maintaining my passion practising periodontics and return to the Victoria community, which has given me so much,” says Mitchell.
