HI! WE ARE
THOMAS COLLEGE
Thomas College is an adult educational institution designed around YOU, the lifelong learner wanting to advance their career. Our programs are developed in a manner that focuses on what is important, lifestyle and personal advancement. Content is concise yet thorough to get you where you need as fast as possible. We aim to deliver material in a flexible method that allows you to learn around your lifestyle.
OUR STORY
Thomas College was developed to fill gaps in the dental industry in Canada. The profession had been suffering for many years from a lack of qualified individuals to work in dental practices. The problem was evident to some degree in urban practices but was exacerbated in rural clinics.
The goal was simple, develop a program that made it as easy as possible to have people enter the dental field. Historically, training and education in Canada has been completed at high-quality public schools such as Universities and Technical Colleges. The programs are truly exceptional in the world-class education they provide to their students. Thomas College intended to live up to this standard while providing students with a program that was more efficient and flexible to suit their lifestyle. Our founders believed that if people had the opportunity to be educated in their communities, they would take advantage of it and ultimately stay to serve the people living their.
MEET OUR PEOPLE
The amazing people behind Thomas College come from a variety of backgrounds and fields of expertise to provide our students with the best possible education in the field of dentistry.
Dr. Blake Mitchell, DMD, Adult Ed. Cert.
President
Dr. Blake Mitchell, DMD is the Founder and President of Thomas College. He received his education from the University of Saskatchewan where he studied Mathematics, Business and Dentistry where he obtained his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. He also holds a Certificate in Adult Education.
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Dr. Mitchell is the Founder of Simpli Dental which started as a single dental practice in Regina, SK. He has experience as a Co-founder and Director in several other organizations both past and present. Dr. Mitchell currently practices general dentistry in Saskatchewan where he resides with his family.
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Dr. Mitchell developed the original Thomas College model as well as the dental program curriculums in conjunction with other dental professionals. He currently works with his team on the overall strategic vision for Thomas College as well as its Oral Health related programs.
Rylund Hunter, JD
Legal Advisor
Rylund Hunter is Thomas College's legal advisor. He received his education from the University of Saskatchewan where he obtained his Juris Doctor and maintains a legal practice at McDougall Gauley in Saskatoon.
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Mr. Hunter has extensive experience in education as an active member on several boards throughout Saskatoon including Autism Services of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation, KidSport Saskatoon, Saskatoon Minor Football (Chair) and Huskie Football Alumni (chair). He is also a former elected member-at-large on the University of Saskatchewan senate. Rylund also represented the Saskatchewan Party in the 2020 provincial election in the Saskatoon Meewasin riding.
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Mr. Hunter is responsible for the legal aspects of Thomas College as well as acting as an advisor on the regulatory component of our organization as a private educational program in Canada.
Austin Leis
Dental Office Administration
Austin Leis is the head of Thomas College's dental office administration discipline.
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Austin has extensive experience in dental office administration as well as the operations of private corporations. Prior to entering the dental field, Austin was an integral part of the operations team at AGT Foods.
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Austin is responsible for overseeing the dental office administration aspects of our programs. He provides advisory, program development and teaching services to Thomas College and its students.
Christel Geske, RDH
Dental Hygiene
Christel Geske is part of Thomas College's dental assisting and hygiene disciplines. She completed her Dental Assisting diploma in 1997 then went on to receive her Registered Dental Hygiene diploma in 2001 from the Canadian Institute of Dental Hygiene.
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Christel has extensive experience in educating dental students in Saskatchewan as a clinical instructor in dental hygiene at the University of Saskatchewan as well as at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, ON. She currently treats patients in private practice in Saskatoon, SK where she resides with her family.
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Christel is a key member of our dental hygiene team in her role in teaching students, providing clinical instruction and improving our program through the implementation of updates and advancements in the field of dental hygiene.
Dr. Greg Trischuk, B.Comm, DMD
General Dentistry
Dr. Greg Trischuk is part of Thomas College's rural general dentistry discipline. Dr. Trischuk received his Bachelor of Commerce as well as Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees from the University of Saskatchewan.
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Dr. Trischuk owns and maintains a rural practice in Yorkton, SK where he resides with his family. He is actively involved in several areas of clinical general dentistry including restorative, orthodontics, surgery and prosthodontics.
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Dr. Trischuk is responsible for overseeing the rural dentistry aspects of our programs as well as acting as an advisor to maintain and improve our ability to service the needs of rural communities in Canada.
June Fizell-Mitchell, BA, B.Ed.
Education Advisor
June Fizell-Mitchell is an Education Advisor to Thomas College. She received her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education in 1980 and 1982 respectively from the University of Saskatchewan. Mrs. Fizell-Mitchell obtained advanced education training when she completed her Certificate in Special Education from the University of Regina in 1993.
June has over 35 years of teaching experience primarily with Prairie Valley School Division where she was actively involved as a learning resources teacher until 2015. Following this, she provided supplemental teaching services until 2020. She currently resides in Emerald Park, SK.
Mrs. Fizell-Mitchell is responsible for supporting Thomas College's instructors and assisting in the development of their teaching and instructional skills.
Dr. Javier Cabrales, DMD, MDent, FRCD
Periodontics
Dr. Javier Cabrales is part of Thomas College's periodontics discipline. Dr. Cabrales received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Saskatchewan as well as his Master of Dentistry in Periodontics from the University of Manitoba.
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Dr. Cabrales treated patients in private practice in Swift Current, SK as a general dentist before obtaining his Masters. He currently practices as a Periodontist in Calgary, AB. He is actively involved in the Alberta dentistry community as a continuing education lecturer.
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Dr. Cabrales is responsible for overseeing the periodontics and surgical aspects of our programs as well as acting as an advisor on our dental hygiene program.
Dr. Niklas Neilson, DMD, MCID, FRCD
Orthodontics
Dr. Niklas Neilson is part of Thomas College's orthodontics discipline. Dr. Neilson received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Saskatchewan as well as his Masters of Dentistry in Orthodontics from the University of Western Ontario.
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Dr. Neilson treated patients in private practice in Vernon, BC as a general dentist before obtaining his Masters. He currently practices as an Orthodontist in Calgary, AB where he resides with his wife and their five children. He is an active member in his community through many volunteering and philanthropic initiatives.
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Dr. Neilson is responsible for overseeing the orthodontic aspects of our programs.
Jackie Weigel, CDA, Adult Ed. Cert.
Program Coordinator
Jackie Weigel is the Program Coordinator for Thomas College's Certificate in Dental Assisting program. She received her Certificate in Dental Assisting from Saskatchewan Polytechnic in 2008 and advanced her studies in 2023 by obtaining her Certificate in Adult Education.
Jackie has practiced as a Registered Dental Assistant in private clinics in Regina and Saskatoon since 2008. She has experience as both a chairside assistant as well as dental clinic administrator. Mrs. Weigel has worked with dentists to treat patients in the areas of operative dentistry, fixed and removal prosthodontics, oral surgery including dental implant placements, paediatric dentistry, preventative dentistry and endodontics.
Mrs. Jackie Weigel stays busy in her spare time with her family including her three kids. They currently reside in Martensville, SK.