HiMARC poppy event sheds light on the important role of military, veterans in the community

Interdisciplinary panel provided a platform for students, staff and faculty to meet and liaise with military, veterans and clinicians

Amanda McCarthy with files from Chelsea Jones - 05 November 2018

On November 1, military members, veterans and clinicians joined together in a panel presentation aimed at raising awareness of the strengths and barriers that are unique to the military and veteran community.

The event, which was hosted by Heroes in Mind, Advocacy and Research Consortium (HiMARC) in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, provided an interdisciplinary platform for students and faculty to meet and liaise with military members. The questions, insights, themes and discussions during the panel touched on health-care issues, family life and identity from the perception of the solider, veteran, health-care clinician and patient.

"The discussion was an incredibly valuable learning experience for any student, clinician or researcher who may work with the military and veteran population or who may be considering a career in the Canadian Armed Forces," said Chelsea Jones, HiMARC coordinator. "Poppies were made available to create awareness and remembrance of the important role our military members and veterans had, and continue to have, in our country, communities and abroad."

Panel participants included:

  • WO Chris Thombs - Infantry
  • Kevin Nanson - Invictus Games, Warrior Games, and Paralympic athlete and veteran
  • Daryll Newsham - Royal Canadian Legion AB/NWT service worker and veteran
  • Capt. Kym Williams - Registered nurse
  • Lt. Katie Marsh - Registered nurse
  • Lt. Blair Dickie - Physiotherapist
  • Capt. Annie Sheink - Physiotherapist
  • LCol Alex Haynes - 3rd Canadian Division
  • LCol William Patton - Medical doctor
  • LCol Terry Cherwick - Chaplain
  • MCpl CJ Williams - Medical technician
Thank you to the panelists for taking the time out of their very busy schedules to provide this experience for students, staff and faculty. A thank you also goes out to those who attended and brought their questions.