Dr. Randeep Chana: Coming Full Circle

It may be the influence of Northwestern Polytechnic’s curving architecture, or the satisfaction of seeing one generation follow another. Either way, who doesn’t love a full-circle story? The circle in this case is being formed as a hometown alumni sees his children follow his footsteps to NWP.

Orthodontist Dr. Randeep Chana began his post-secondary career with Northwestern Polytechnic and had no hesitation about encouraging his daughters to enroll as well.

“I just gave them honest advice. We sat down and I told them about my experience,” says Randeep. 

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without that two-year jump start at [what was then] Grande Prairie Regional College.” 

That experience began when Randeep graduated from Grande Prairie Composite High School in the mid-90s and chose to enroll in the University Transfer Science program.

“It was the best decision I made,” he recalls. There were many factors that made it the right fit. Randeep’s older siblings studied at NWP, so he could follow the path they’d forged. He appreciated being close to home, which also made good fiscal sense for his family. 

“The advantages of the smaller class sizes were huge,” Randeep notes. He also appreciated the balanced workload that allowed him to work part-time while enjoying college life. “I was set up for success.”

Randeep began post-secondary with dentistry as his goal, and points to several instructors who helped shape that passion. He names chemistry prof Les Rawluk, Phil Johnson in Biology and genetics professor Sean Irwin as memorable influences.

“Those first two years gave me the confidence that I could survive outside of Grande Prairie,” he says. 

He ventured out of the north with a third year of study at the University of Alberta before moving on to dental school at the University of Manitoba. Randeep then returned to Grande Prairie to practice general dentistry for seven years before completing his master’s degree and training in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics back in Manitoba.

Randeep and his wife, also a dentist, give back to the city by sponsoring and supporting organizations that resonate with them, most often at the intersection of youth and sport. These include Swan City FC, Storm Hockey, the Kids of Steel category in the Grande Prairie Triathlon, and the Dunes Golf and Winter Club Junior Open, among other causes.

Coming back to that full circle, Randeep was ready with advice when it came time for his older daughter, Naveen, to think about post-secondary. While he made it clear there were lots of options open to her, Randeep also talked about the benefits he found at NWP. “I explained the access that a small college offers compared to a big one, from academics to sports,” he says. He recalled his own “seamless transition” from high school to NWP and how that time close to home built a strong foundation for further studies. Naveen is now in her first year studying science at NWP, while her sister Divya plans to attend the school next year.

“Dealing with the families at my clinic, I get to see how well-balanced kids are with school, work and sports because of all the programs the city has to offer. I’m so happy my girls get to start their university exposure in such a welcoming place,” says Randeep.

NWP and Grande Prairie are proud to be a part of his success story, and grateful that his path has led him, and his family, full circle.