CIMVHR Forum 2024

CIMVHR

CIMVHR FORUM 2024 – October 21 to 23, 2024 in Winnipeg, Manitoba

The CIMVHR Forum 2024, a landmark event held over three days in Winnipeg, Manitoba, set a new standard of success. It brought together over 550 participants from a wide spectrum of fields, fostering high-level discussions, sharing innovative ideas, and creating networking opportunities that will forge lasting connections. With 220 cutting-edge research presentations, the event provided invaluable insights into the latest advancements that will benefit military personnel, Veterans, public safety personnel and their families.

The Monday morning of CIMVHR Forum began with the CIMVHR and Family Matters Research Group Roundtable - Navigating Change and Supporting Military, Veteran, and Public Safety Families. Led by Dr. Heidi Cramm, CIMVHR's Families Advisor and Research Lead at the Families Matter Research Group, and Dr. Margaret Campbell, Postdoctoral Fellow at Queen's University, the event offered attendees an opportunity to engage in international and cross-sector discussions that focused on military, Veteran and public safety families. The discussions explored the challenges and rewards faced by family members to these populations both in Canada and internationally.

Following the Families Roundtable, the opening plenary took place with two Sir Frederick Banting Award recipients for the first time ever. Drs. Eric Robitaille and Hans Christian Tingelstad presented their research on GRIT – Generating Resilience to Injuries through Training. Their presentation was a prime example of translating research into action. The two were introduced and presented with the Sir Frederick Banting coin by the Surgeon General MGen S.F. Malcolm.

That evening, two events provided additional networking and learning for Forum delegates. The first was CIMVHR's annual Student and Postdoctoral Engagement Community networking event, which had over 70 participants and provided trainees at CIMVHR Forum an enriching opportunity to network with researchers and mentors. More details below. The second Monday night event was a panel on The Impact of War: Rehabilitation and Medical-Surgical Challenges in Ukraine. Speakers addressed the challenges of wartime health care in Ukraine while highlighting mental and physical rehabilitation needs and the experiences of volunteer surgeons through the Canada Ukraine Foundation funded Canada-Ukraine Surgical Aid Program.

The following day, Tuesday, October 22, began with Drs. Pedlar and Bélanger introducing and welcoming two new Fellows to the CIMVHR team. Dr. Nicholas Carleton from the University of Regina and Dr. Margaret McKinnon from McMaster University joined the 16 previous CIMVHR Fellows who demonstrate exceptional research advancements within the field of military, Veteran and family health and well-being. Following this announcement, the Chancellor of the University of Manitoba, Ms. Anne Mahon, provided welcome remarks on behalf of the University, who was one of our co-hosts for the event. The Tuesday of Forum also welcomed our second Keynote speaker, Dr. Jaques Reifman from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command. He shared his knowledge of AI Applications to Enhance Military Medical Readiness.

Following the keynote presentation, The Royal Canadian Legion presented the first-ever recipient of The Royal Canadian Legion Doctoral Scholarship in Military and Veteran Health Research to Raphaëlle Merlo, from Université Laval for the research - Observance à un auto-traitement chez des militaires en service : vers une bonification et une adaptation des services.

Emcee Michael Brennan then invited EHN Canada’s Chair and CEO, Joe Manget, to the stage to announce that they are committed to funding the next generation of researchers and will provide 15k a year for five years to establish The EHN Guardian's Award.

The award will provide assistance for a post-graduate student (Masters or PhD) to enhance their research specialization in any form of addiction and related mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma and PTSD, moral injury and eating disorders in Canadian military personnel, Veterans or public safety personnel. Award holders will benefit from being connected with the CIMVHR network.

Thank you to EHN Guardians for their continued support of CIMVHR and the important research we do. We look forward to announcing the first recipient at CIMVHR Forum 2025!

That night, delegates gathered at the Manitoba Museum for an exciting night of exploring, networking and enjoying the annual photo booth!

On the third and final day, we heard from Dr. Dawne Vogt from the VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, who delivered a Keynote presentation on Widening Our Lens to Better Support the Mental Health and Well-Being of both Women and Men Veterans.

During this morning's plenary, we also had two announcements. The first is the recipient of The Dr. Mark Zamorski Award to Jessica Dekker from McGill University for the research Positive Epidemiology - Pre and Peri-Pandemic Psychological Resilience in Older Veterans in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging. The second announcement was made by The National Legion Foundation for the recipient of their Masters scholarship to Capt. (Retd) SueEllen MacGowan from the University of Ottawa for the research - Brain region connectivity following neurofeedback in participants with PTSD.

As we reflect on the success of this year's event, we are reminded of the critical importance of ongoing collaboration between research communities, military personnel, Veterans, industry and philanthropic organizations. The connections made in Winnipeg will serve as a foundation for future progress, and the knowledge shared will continue to benefit military personnel, Veterans, public safety personnel and their families for years to come.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all who participated in and contributed to CIMVHR Forum. We eagerly anticipate the continued exchange of ideas and innovation in the year leading up to CIMVHR Forum 2025 in Ottawa, ON, and value your ongoing contribution to our shared mission.

CIMVHR: Serving those who serve us.

More CIMVHR Forum highlights are below!

CIMVHR Fellows are leading experts who demonstrate exceptional research advancements in military, Veteran public safety personnel and family health research and well-being. At CIMVHR Forum 2024, we welcomed two new Fellows.

R. Nicholas Carleton, PhD, RD Psych, FCAHS, MCRSC
2024 Fellow

Clinical Psychologist Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Regina

 

 

Margaret McKinnon, PhD, C Psych
2024 Fellow

Professor and Associate Chair, Research, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University
Research Lead, Mental Health and Addictions, St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

 

 

Annually at the conference, CIMVHR hosts various events to engage emerging researchers and students, including the announcement of the recipients of CIMVHR’s scholarships and awards. This year the 2024 recipients are:

The Royal Canadian Legion Doctoral Scholarship in Military and Veteran Health Research

2024 recipient:
Raphaëlle Merlo, Université Laval, for the research - Observance à un auto-traitement chez des militaires en service : vers une bonification et une adaptation des services

 

 

 

The Dr. Mark Zamorski Award

Awarded to a post-graduate student to enhance their specialization in epidemiological and mental health problems in military personnel, Veterans, and/or their families.
Jessica Dekker 2024 recipient:
Jessica Dekker, BSc, McGill University, for the research Positive Epidemiology - Pre and Peri-Pandemic Psychological Resilience in Older Veterans in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

 

 

The Legion National Foundation Masters Scholarship Application

An annual entrance scholarship awarded to a master’s level student specializing in research related to Veterans and their families.
Capt (Ret'd) SueEllen MacGowan2024 recipient:
Capt (Ret'd) SueEllen MacGowan, RP, MACP, MBA, BA, CD, RMC, University of Ottawa, for the research Brain region connectivity following neurofeedback in participants with PTSD

Sunday Night Welcome Reception Sunday, October 20th

The Sunday Night Welcome Reception officially kicked off CIMVHR Forum with a warm welcome to all attendees by the CIMVHR Team! The evening allowed attendees to meet and network in a relaxed environment while they connected with colleagues. Guest had the opportunity to meet local celebrity Winston the Polar Bear from the Assiniboine Park and Zoo while they enjoyed their evening.

Four people listening in to a person speaking at a networking event A photo of the CIMVHR team Mascot Winston the Polar Bear posing with Attendees Attendees networking

 

 

 

 

CIMVHR SPEC Networking Event Monday, October 21st

The CIMVHR SPEC Networking Event at Saddlery on Market was a resounding success. The event hosted students and postdocs who had a chance to foster connections and support career development with mentors who are leading experts in the fields. Attendees learned about the various activities offered by CIMVHR SPEC, and the evening allowed attendees to explore the potential for further learning, research, and mentorship.

Attendees playing networking bingo Paul Hook providing opening remarks Attendees networking SPEC Co-Chair Marshall Gerbrandt providing remarks

 

 

 

 

Tuesday Night Networking Reception at the Manitoba Museum Tuesday, October 22nd

CIMVHR Forum attendees stepped away from academics and immersed themselves in the interactive museum galleries at the Manitoba Museum. Greeted by the Bayshore Health Care team, attendees had an opportunity to learn about Manitoba's history and explore the human and natural history of Manitoba from north to south, from ancient to contemporary times. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to meet the thunder of stampeding bison, experience the rich diversity of Manitoba's ever-changing landscape, and step back in time to delve into its dynamic history. Each guest left with a Decadence chocolate to end their evening on a sweet note. Thank you to Bayshore Health Care for sponsoring the event. Attendees networking two people taking selfie in front of bisson : four people in front of ship nosuch guest in front of museum display Nosuch Merchant Ship

Tuesday, October 22nd

Knowledge to action! Deploying the Veterans’ Well-being Community Health Needs Assessment

For the first time, VAC completed a Veterans’ Well-being Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) in 2024. Collecting new and building on existing data, the CHNA engaged with Canadian Veterans to (1) identify their health and well-being strengths and needs; and (2) communicate results in an accessible way. Of particular interest, were the unique needs of equity-deserving and hard to reach Veterans. Results can be used to inform decision-makers in program, policy, and research, and to support equitable allocation of resources for all Veterans. During this workshop, participants from various organizations, sectors, and roles will transform knowledge to action by coming together to brainstorm meaningful ways to address highlighted priorities and to use CHNA results in their day-to-day work with Veterans. By discovering synergies and developing tangible strategies, participation in this workshop will contribute to strengthened partnerships among Veteran stakeholders and organizations. Veterans welcome!

Workshop Hosts:

Margaret Fry, CD, RN, MHS
National Nursing Officer, Veterans Affairs Canada

Lisa Garland Baird, RN, PhD
Veterans Affairs Canada

Supporting Children, Teenagers and Parents: Building International Capacity to Deliver Impact, Knowledge Translation and Digital Systems

Despite the benefits of being part of a service family, children and teenagers face many challenges in these potentially vulnerable families. We know personnel frequently cite ‘family reasons’ when they leave these vocations. Regardless, children and teenagers are often forgotten in policies, or added as an afterthought. This leads to a limited pool of funding and fierce competition to provide research and research translation supports to assist this cohort. In this workshop, participants will identify the facilitators and preventers to supporting these children and teenagers. We will then explore a practical exemplar of a resource to support children with parents who have a moral injury that involved international researchers, stakeholders, service providers and those with lived experience to produce research translation resources and peer reviewed research. Participants will formulate a plan to build international capacity to create impact and produce knowledge translation supports to improve this cohort’s wellbeing.

Workshop Hosts:

Marg Rogers, PhD
Senior Lecturer Education, University of New England

Michèle L. Hébert, PhD
University of Alberta; HiMARC

John VanStone
Chaplain Princess of Wales Own Regiment CFB Kingston

Making exercise/physical activity safe and effective for Veterans with OSI/PTSD and with/without chronic pain

Exercise improves physical fitness, mental health, musculoskeletal health, and heart health. Veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or occupational stress injury (OSI) have unique challenges engaging in exercise since some activities can trigger mental health symptoms—this is even more complicated when living with chronic pain. The team will review findings from experts and Veterans’ consultations on: exercise effects in OSI/PTSD, the types of triggers and specific exercise challenges when living with OSI/PTSD, and potential exercise effects of common drugs used for OSI/PTSD. The challenges when chronic pain and OSI/PTSD occur together will be discussed. We will capture Veterans’ experiences, needed supports, and next step priorities. After open discussion and voting, the team will share the workshop results in a report and use this to support a decision aid for Veterans living with OSI/PTSD with/without chronic pain to optimize their exercise plan.

Workshop Hosts:

Joy MacDermid, PhD
Professor, Western University

Robin Campbell, PhD
Western University and 8 Wing Trenton, Canadian Armed Forces

J Don Richardson, MD, FRCPC
Western University

Student Workshop - Building your Career Toolbox Workshop

Are you ready to equip yourself with the skills and tools necessary for a successful career? Join us for an interactive workshop designed specifically for students who are eager to build a robust career toolkit and take proactive steps toward their professional goals.  The workshop will have a World Café format in which participants and researchers will engage in multiple smaller collaborative discussions covering relevant questions and topics related to developing a high-impact research career. Please register using this link: https://events.cimvhr.ca This workshop is free of charge to all students registered for CIMVHR Forum 2024.

Workshop Hosts:

Marshall Gerbrandt
Co-Chair, SPEC

Ashley Williams
Co-Chair, SPEC

Exploring Service Provider Knowledge, Needs, and Perceptions for Disclosures of Military Sexual Misconduct and/or Military Sexual Trauma

Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members experiencing Military Sexual Misconduct (MSM) and or Military Sexual Trauma (MST) may encounter poor military cultural competency (MCC) in the civilian community, e.g. sexual assault centers, or upon leaving service as Veterans, e.g. civilian primary care providers. This participant-guided knowledge exchange workshop will allow participants to share their expertise and contribute toward development of expert consensus guidelines around the provision of MCC training, as well as trauma-informed care (TIC) training for civilian and military healthcare practitioners to enhance their ability to effectively respond to disclosures of MSM MST. Discussions from this workshop will contribute to the development of an e-course to increase MCC and TIC practices in civilian and military care providers working with people with lived experience of MSM MST. Attendance at this workshop will break down professional silos, building a bridge practitioner working with this population in various fields across Canada.

Workshop Hosts:

Margaret McKinnon, PhD
Professor and Associate Chair, Research, McMaster University

Alexandra Heber, MD FRCPC
Veterans Affairs Canada

Linna Tam-Seto, PhD, OT Reg Ont,
University of Toronto

Wednesday, October 23rd

Military personnel, Veterans and their spouses who are making the transition from military life to civilian life for medical reasons; psychosocial issues and reflection workshops for couples

Adapting to change is a demanding process, especially when it involves multiple aspects of daily life, or stems from the presence of an illness or injury, whether physical or psychological. Military personnel, veterans and their spouses leaving the Canadian Armed Forces for medical reasons face major upheavals. The psychosocial issues they face, and their individual, marital and family needs, raise crucial questions. How can we meet these needs and support these individuals in identifying specific issues, while establishing individualized marital and family action plans? Your contribution to this workshop will contribute to the evolution of knowledge, the development of content that meets these needs, and the creation of avenues of improvement for workshops aimed at military personnel, veterans and their spouses undergoing a transition from military to civilian life for medical reasons.

Workshop Hosts:

Audrey Gallant, M.S.S.
Social Worker, Montreal Military Family Resource Centre

Myriam Dutour, B.S.S.
Social Worker, Montreal Military Family Resource Centre

Francine Habel
Executive Director, Montreal Military Family Resource Centre

Inclusion, Diversity and Representative Language in Military and Veteran Health Care, Epidemiology and Research

Our understanding and use of gendered and sex-based language has evolved rapidly over the last decade. To recognize the gender-experience, increase inclusivity, and avoid isolation of marginalized communities, there has been a push to use de-gendered or de-sexed terms that instead describe the process or anatomy of individuals; however, this approach may bring unintended consequences, such as imprecise language, inclusion of unintended personnel, and ineffective communication, which must be considered.  This workshop will review the terminology relating to sex, gender, and gender identity, and the rational for using inclusive language as well as the risks and potential unintended consequences. It will encourage discussion to explore how researchers and health care providers can communicate effectively while employing appropriate language and fostering inclusive environments.

Workshop Hosts:

Col Helen Wright, MD
CAF physician, Canadian Armed Forces

Charlotte Farquharson, CD
Canadian Armed Forces

“Are crisis lines for me?”: Moving from evidence to actionable suicide prevention crisis line recommendations created by and for public safety personnel

This workshop session will highlight research findings from the RESPond study on Public Safety Personnel’s (PSP) use of suicide prevention crisis lines—which form a critical component of Canada's suicide prevention strategy. PSP face unique mental health challenges due to frequent exposure to trauma, heightened distress, and increased suicide risk, compounded by barriers like stigma and organizational culture. Our study is the first national effort to explore PSP's engagement with crisis line services, including how they navigate these resources and the barriers and facilitators impacting access. Using human-centered design principles, workshop participants will build on research findings through dynamic small group discussions and cycles of idea-generation to collaboratively create practical, impactful recommendations to enhance crisis line support for PSP. Together, we will explore opportunities for resource development, policy and practice improvements, and further research, aiming to make crisis services more effective, equitable, and accessible for PSP.

Workshop Hosts:

Chantalle Clarkin, PhD
Staff Scientist, University of Toronto

Gisell Castillo, MA
CAMH

Allison Crawford, MD, PhD
CAMH and University of Toronto

How socio-cultural contexts can inform models for addressing moral injury: two examples

Moral injury is increasingly recognized as an important concept and framework for understanding and responding to veteran mental health. A growing literature confirms its association with critical mental health priorities, including suicide. This workshop will provide an overview of moral injury in order to then explore why and how socio-cultural contexts can inform pathways for veteran recovery from moral injury. We will offer and contrast two specific models – one drawing on an indigenous Maori perspective, the other based on U.S. social and cultural dynamics. Themes of forgiveness and of social responsibility will be emphasized. Participants will have the opportunity to observe and experience some of the existing elements and rituals drawn from the models the workshop will feature. The workshop will include opportunities for discussion, and for considering how cultural dynamics associated with participants’ social environment can inform their own efforts to engage moral injury.

Workshop Hosts:

Peter Yeomans, PhD
Psychologist, US Department of Veteran Affairs

Dan Johnson, BSC
Veterans' Affairs New Zealand

Raharuhi Koia, BCoun
New Zealand Association of Councilors

Advancing a Strategy to Collaboratively Support the Health and Wellbeing of Older Veterans

Using a life course perspective, this workshop will focus on supporting the health and well-being of older Canadian Veterans. The first part of this workshop will focus on reviewing and discussing the results and recommendations of a recent scoping review on the health and well-being of older Canadian Veterans. In the second part, participants will be divided into small groups where they will actively engage in discussions about the gaps and priorities in current research and services for Veterans. The workshop will encourage participants to identify innovative ways to work collaboratively across sectors to improve support for older Veterans health and well-being as they age.

Workshop Host:

Kim Ritchie, PhD
Assistant Professor, Trent University

Each year at CIMVHR Forum, several researchers are recognized for their significant contributions. This year’s award recipients include:

Banting Award

Awarded annually for military health research and sponsored by the True Patriot Love Foundation. The Banting Award honours Major Sir Frederick Banting – a world renowned physician, Nobel Prize winner and researcher who discovered insulin. The award recognizes high quality Canadian research that addresses military health issues.

2024 recipient:
Andrea Jones, PhD, Veteran Affairs Canada, for the research Cancer Incidence in Canadian Armed Forces Members and Veterans Enlisted between 1976 and 2016: A retrospective cohort study

 

 

Release Point Education Student Award

Release Point Education works to foster the realization of academic excellence by supporting military-connected students through the provision of specialized, relevant, and credible programming. The Release Point Education Student Award was established to continue their support of military-connected students who have a passion for military, Veteran and family research. This award is presented to the best student researcher presentation or poster at CIMVHR Forum 2024.

Kathryn Reeves2024 recipient:
Kathryn Reeves, BA, Mount Saint Vincent University, for the research Women Veteran’s Experiences, Perspectives and Mental Health Impacts of Encounters with Children During International Operations

 

 

Mental Health Research Award

Awarded for the best presentation on improving or innovating clinical mental health practice.

Henry Bowen2024 recipient:
Henry Bowen, PhD, Military and Emergency Services Health Australia (MESHA), for the research Developing and Testing Training for Cultural Competency for Civilians Working with Military Populations in Australia

 

 

Colonel Russell Mann Military, Veteran and Public Safety Families Research Award

The Vanier Institute’s Military and Veteran Family Initiative’s Colonel Russell Mann Military, Veteran and Public Safety Families Research Award recognizes high quality Canadian research that increases our understanding of military and Veteran family health. The award is named after Colonel Russell Mann, a recognized national leader and strong voice for military and Veteran families in Canada and a key supporter of the Military and Veteran Family Initiative.

Sam Noyek2024 recipient:
Samantha Noyek, PhD, Veterans Affairs Canada, for the research Peer Feedback on the Operational Stress Injury Social Support Program (2013-2018)

 

 

Canadian Institute for Public Safety Research and Treatment (CIPSRT) Public Safety Personnel (PSP) Mental Health Research Award

CIPSRT has developed an award dedicated to individuals or research teams that show outstanding progress in advancing PSP mental health research. This award was established to support student researchers presenting on PSP at CIMVHR Forum.

Johnathan Lieberman2024 recipient:
Jonathan Lieberman, PhD (c), Atlas Institute for Veterans & Families; McMaster University; Lawson Health Research Institute, for the research Exploring the Impact of Biological Sex on Intrinsic Connectivity Networks in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A DataDriven Approach

 

 

Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health Editors’ Choice Award, sponsored by JMVFH

Awarded to a researcher whose poster presentation at CIMVHR Forum 2023 made an exceptional contribution to military, Veteran, and family health research

Julie-Anne McCarthy2024 recipient:
Julie-Anne McCarthy, MSc, PhD (c), University of Manitoba, for the research Examining Associations between Adverse Childhood Experiences, Potentially Psychologically Traumatic Events and Mental Health among RCMP Cadets entering the Depot Training Program

 

 

Student Research Award, sponsored by CIMVHR

Awarded to the best student researcher presentation at CIMVHR Forum 2024.

Robyn E Sheilds2024 recipient:
Robyn E. Shields, MSc, University of Regina, for the research Mental Health Disorder Symptoms among Royal Canadian Mounted Police