CIMVHR Forum 2025

CIMVHR

CIMVHR Forum 2025 – October 20 to 22 in Ottawa, ON

The CIMVHR Forum 2025, held over three days in Ottawa, Ontario, featured 231 research presentations, two keynote addresses, one plenary panel, and a series of networking sessions. The event welcomed 789 attendees and aimed to advance research and well-being for military personnel, Veterans, public safety personnel, and their families, while fostering ongoing collaboration and future discussions on this essential work.

Monday morning, the Families Roundtable sparked engaging conversations about Garnet families across the military, Veteran, first responder and public safety sectors. The session created a collaborative space for participants to explore the latest developments in the Garnet Families Partnership and to actively contribute their perspectives on priority issues affecting families. These discussions will play a key role in shaping the future direction of research, policy and programs that support families.

The Forum officially launched during the Monday morning plenary, opening with a powerful blessing by Robert Falcon Ouellette, the Canadian Armed Forces Indigenous Knowledge Keeper. Followed inspiring remarks from The Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada and Associate Minister of National Defence, who emphasized CIMVHR's longstanding leadership in advancing evidence informed action: "Throughout its history, CIMVHR has stood at the forefront of deepening our knowledge of the Veteran experience, identifying what is possible when we act on evidence with intention. As we reflect on the work undertaken, we must also prepare for what we don't yet know."

The plenary focused on a robust panel discussion, led by Moderator Professor Nicola Fear, from King's Centre for Military Health Research at King's College London; and included panelists: Julie Drury from Veterans Affairs Canada; Jennifer Unger from Public Safety Canada; Dr. Jonathan Lane from the Department of Veterans' Affairs Australia, and Dr. Bryan G. Garber from Canadian Forces Health Services Group Head Quarters. The panel titled Collaborating Perspectives: Showcasing the Role of Research in Shaping the Future for Military, Veteran, Public Safety and Family Health, spotlighted the critical role of collaboration in driving innovation, generating new knowledge and maximizing knowledge sharing. Panellists emphasized that only a coordinated, inclusive effort across Canadian and international partners can truly amplify the impact of research and improve outcomes for military personnel, Veterans, public safety personnel and their families.

EHN Guardians announced the first recipient of their scholarship to Martine Southall, from the University of Manitoba, for the research titled Are We Missing the Trees for the Forest?: Quantifying Cannabinoids and Investigating Their Relationship to Mental Health and Wellbeing.

That evening, delegates engaged in two important networking and learning opportunities:

  • The annual Student and Postdoctoral Engagement Community event, attended by more than 60 early-career researchers.
  • A special presentation by Dr. Oksana Syvak, Director of Ukrainian Institute of Traumatherapy, Board Member at Association of Psychological Counselling and Traumatherapy, and Co-founder of International Institute of Postgraduate Institute, titled Psychological and Physical Assistance for Ukrainians in Times of War, who addressed urgent healthcare and rehabilitation needs in Ukraine.

On day two of Forum, The Legion National Foundation's Masters Scholarship was presented to Anne-Sophie Côté, from Université Laval, for the research titled Preventing hearing problems in Canadian military personnel: validation of an in-ear device to measure exposure to noise and its effects on hearing. Dr. Andrea Jones, Senior Epidemiologist, Research Directorate, Veterans Affairs Canada, showcased the research that earned her the prestigious Banting Award, titled Uncovering cancer trends in the Canadian Armed Forces and Veteran population using 40 years of linked health data.

At the end of the Tuesday morning plenary, Drs. Nick Held and Stéphanie Bélanger, CD, introduced Professor Nicola Fear as CIMVHR's 19th CIMVHR Fellow. Dr. Fear is Professor of Epidemiology in the Academic Department of Military Mental Health and Co-Director of King's Centre for Military Health Research at King's College London. We're thrilled to welcome Professor Fear to the group and look forward to continuing to work with her in the future.

On the third and final day, the plenary audience welcomed remarks from Deputy Minister Paul Ledwell, who continued to demonstrate his strong support for CIMVHR and offered a heartfelt farewell message to the delegation as he prepares to transition out of his role as Deputy Minister. The session continued with an engaging and timely presentation by Major Tristan Alie, an Anesthesiologist in Critical Care Medicine with the Canadian Armed Forces, who delivered a keynote presentation titled Thriving in the Cold: Medical Priorities to Enable Cold Weather Operational Resiliency for the Fighting Force in Canada's High North and Arctic.

"CIMVHR has created a space where research becomes connection, where science meets service, and where lives are changed as a result." Deputy Minister Ledwell.

During the final plenary, two students were presented with scholarships. The first was The Royal Canadian Legion Doctoral Scholarship in Military and Veteran Health Research, which was awarded to Kim Huynh, from Queen's University, for the research titled Assessing the effects of non-concussive impacts on brain physiology in military personnel. The second was The Dr. Mark Zamorski Award, presented to Nisali Muthumuni, from the University of Manitoba, for the research Resilience After Trauma Among Canadian Military Personnel and Veterans: A Longitudinal Analysis Using the CAFVMHS Dataset (2002–2018).

Over the past three days, collaboration has emerged as a driving force, linking disciplines, organizations and even countries in a shared mission to support military personnel, Veterans, public safety professionals and their families. Forward‑thinking ideas have challenged us to look ahead and to consider how today's research can be carried back into the communities and organizations that will turn it into action. Beyond and above impactful knowledge translation, a theme that has echoed throughout the Forum is readiness; how we build it, sustain it and strengthen it. From equipment and training to extreme environments and the physical and mental health of personnel, operational readiness has been at the heart of our conversations. And as these discussions have shown, its importance will only grow as we shape the future for the challenges ahead

We look forward to welcoming you all to Halifax, Nova Scotia, on October 19 – 21, 2026, fostering anticipation and enthusiasm for ongoing collaboration and progress.

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 2025, we welcomed Professor Nicola Fear as our newest Fellow.

Nicola Fear, CBE
2025 Fellow

Group Lead at King’s Centre for Military Health Research, King’s College London

 

 

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

Kim Huynh2025 recipient:
Kim Huynh, MSc, for the research - Assessing the effects of non-concussive impacts on brain physiology in military personnel

 

 

The Dr. Mark Zamorski Award

2025 recipient:
Nisali Muthumuni, MA, for the research Resilience After Trauma Among Canadian Military Personnel and Veterans: A Longitudinal Analysis Using the CAFVMHS Dataset (2002–2018)

 

 

The Legion National Foundation Masters Scholarship

Anne Sophie2025 recipient:
Anne-Sophie Côté, BA, for the research Preventing hearing problems in Canadian military personnel: validation of an in-ear device to measure exposure to noise and its effects on hearing

 

 

EHN Guardians Scholarship

Martine Southall2025 recipient:
Martine Southall, MA, for the research Are We Missing the Trees for the Forest?: Quantifying Cannabinoids and Investigating Their Relationship to Mental Health and Wellbeing

Sunday Night Welcome Reception

The Welcome Reception kicked off on Sunday evening and set an energizing tone for the week ahead, bringing attendees together in a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. First‑time participants and long‑time colleagues had the chance to reconnect and meet researchers, students and professionals from across disciplines before the official sessions began.

Guests enjoyed light refreshments and locally inspired appetizers, each one offering a small taste of the region. At the same time, they built new connections, exchanged ideas and laid the groundwork for a productive and meaningful Forum.

It was a pleasure to welcome everyone and officially launch the conference together.

Thank you to Philips | Myant for sponsoring this event

 

 

 

CIMVHR SPEC Monday Night Networking Event

The CIMVHR Student and Postdoctoral Engagement Community (SPEC) Networking Event was held on Monday evening at Alora Ottawa and offered an engaging night of connection and community, in a welcoming atmosphere, with delicious food and meaningful conversations.

Designed especially for students and postdoctoral researchers, the event created space for participants to connect, build relationships and explore opportunities within the CIMVHR community. Attendees also had the chance to communicate with SPEC mentors, who shared valuable insights, guidance and pathways for deeper involvement in the broader research and professional community, fostering a strong sense of purpose and support. Whether new to the community or looking to deepen existing connections, participants left with strengthened relationships and lasting connections.

Tuesday Night Networking Reception at the Museum of History

Attendees stepped away from the day's research sessions to enjoy a memorable evening at the Museum of History, where culture, conversation and connection came together in a unique setting.

This networking reception provided a relaxed opportunity to unwind, connect with fellow participants, and explore the museum's captivating exhibits after hours. The evening also featured entertainment, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere. Whether reconnecting with colleagues or meeting new faces, attendees celebrated shared interests. They enjoyed an unforgettable night at one of the city's most iconic cultural landmarks.

Thank you to Calian for sponsoring the Tuesday evening!
Calian

Tuesday, October 21

Navigating research quality and independence while retaining equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonialization in the face of different and changing sociopolitical environments

The workshop is intended for researchers and research stakeholders (editors, funders, military, Veterans, and public safety personnel (PSP) and families, policymakers, knowledge mobilization (KM) staff). Information will be presented on the principles of quality in research and how EDID contributes to better science, discussing differences across countries, contexts, and time about how EDID is being defined and operationalized in research policies at the government, funder, and editorial levels. The impact on military, Veteran, and PSP and families, and KMs will be discussed with a nominal group activity to generate concerns and potential solutions. A post-workshop Delphi will be used to develop consensus on potential threats to science and best practices in considering EDID in military and PSP research. Broad dissemination of the findings will be used to help the research community navigate changing expectations and opportunities to advance military, Veteran, and PSP and families science and KM methods.

Workshop Hosts:

Joy MacDermid, PhD
Professor, Western University

Heidi Cramm, PhD
Queen's University

Rosemary Ricciardelli, PhD
Memorial University

Advancing Military PTSD Treatment: A Delphi Approach to Bridging Research, Clinical Practice, and Guideline Development

Recent reviews of PTSD treatments in military populations reveal a misalignment between current guidelines and the realities of treating military-related PTSD, often failing to account for unique symptom profiles, high comorbidity rates, and treatment preferences (Liu et al., 2025). Developing clinically useful guidelines requires a structured, consensus-driven approach that integrates evolving evidence with real- world practice. This workshop introduces the Delphi consensus methodology, previously used in defining treatment-resistant depression, now adapted for PTSD treatment strategies. Attendees will include clinician- researchers from the MIND PTSD Collaborative, actively engaged in related research, alongside new participants contributing to this evolving process. By leveraging their collective expertise, this workshop will initiate an iterative, structured discussion to evaluate treatment options for PTSD and complex PTSD (CPTSD) in military populations, shaping future PTSD treatment strategies with national and international impact.

Workshop Hosts:

Jenny Jing Wen Liu, PhD
Adjunct Research Professor, Western University

J Don Richardson, MD, FRCPC
Western University

Turning Insights into Action: Effective Evaluation Strategies for Military and Veteran Programs

Want to take your research and programs to the next level? This hands-on workshop is open to everyone—whether you're an expert, beginner, or even if you're not quite sure what "evaluation" means. You’ll learn how to design and implement an evaluation plan that maximizes the impact of military programs and research projects. You’ll learn how to set clear objectives, choose meaningful indicators, and collect valuable data using surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observations. We’ll tackle ethical challenges and real-world obstacles in military and veteran research while exploring how AI and modern technology can enhance evaluation processes. Through case studies and interactive activities, you’ll gain practical experience and leave with the tools to assess impact, refine strategies, and drive real change. Whether you’re shaping policies, optimizing programs, or advancing research in military and veteran communities, this workshop will help you turn your insights into action and meaningful change.

Workshop Hosts:

Bruce Baskerville, PhD, CE

Caroline Dutil, PhD candidate
CSEP-CEP

Building Capacity and Cross-Sector Collaborations to Support Aging Veterans in Canada

The goal of this workshop will be to strengthen networks and capacity to support aging Veterans and their families. Beginning with a brief overview of current research and practice initiatives for aging Veterans, participants will then engage in moderated small-group discussions to identify: 1) key priorities for older Veterans and their families, 2) the actionable and coordinated steps between research, practice, and policy to address these needs. The focus of these discussions will be on identifying cross-sector collaborations between aging Veterans and their families, academia, industry, and all levels of government to support Veterans as they age. Opportunities for advocacy and knowledge dissemination will also be highlighted to increase the visibility of older Veterans in the wider context of military health and aging.

Workshop Hosts:

Kim Ritchie, PhD
Assistant Professor

Madison Brydges, PhD
National Institute of Aging

Lisa Garland Baird, RN, PhD
Veterans Affairs Canada

Uniting Forces: Advancing Military and Veteran Health Through Research Collaboration

Research collaboration refers to individuals, groups, and/or organizations conducting research together in a shared effort. In the military and Veteran health context, such collaboration is vital to exploring experiences and exposures in these populations over the entire life course.

We understand that collaboration is valuable, but how do we ensure it is effective? This workshop seeks to explore and discuss concrete measures that can be leveraged by researchers to strengthen their collaborative muscle. Different approaches to building and maintaining military and Veteran research collaborations will refer to domestic (e.g., Canadian Forces Cancer and Mortality Study) and international (e.g., Five Eyes Military Exposures Working Group) examples.

Group discussions will explore current and new ideas for best practices across themes such as data sharing, tools/technologies, relationship building, and resource management. Summaries of these discussions will be shared with participants after the workshop to provide additional tools that support research collaboration with impact.

Workshop Hosts:

Amy Hall, PhD
Senior Epidemiologist, Veterans Affairs Canada

Deborah Weiss, PhD
Senior Epidemiologist, Department of National Defence

Stephanie Houle, PhD, C.Psych
Senior Researcher, Veterans Affairs Canada

Kelly Reavis, PhD
Research Investigator, National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Assistant Professor, Epidemiology, Oregon Health & Science University

Wednesday, October 22

Intersectionality: Foundations and Applications to Military, Veteran, and Family Health

Backlash against gender equality and human rights internationally has prompted the reversal of funding for research, policies, and programs focused on equity, diversity, and inclusion in the U.S. and parts of Canada. This highlights an urgent need for deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities posed by intersectional research approaches, as well as fostering ongoing dialogue about their practical implementation. Through interactive knowledge exchange, teaching, and group discussion, this workshop will grow participants’ baseline knowledge on intersectionality’s theoretical foundations and practical applications. Situated in this international context, we will explore how we can take intersecting identities into consideration in research (including how intersectional approaches can inform research design, recruitment, and dissemination), policies, and programs for military members, Veterans and their families.

Workshop Hosts:

Linna Tam-Seto, PhD
Assistant Professor, University of Toronto

Meaghan Shoemaker, PhD
Queen's University

Ashley Ibbotson, MA
Queen's University

Self-Care in the Chaos: A SPEC Event for Students and Postdoctoral Fellows

SPEC members engage in a variety of research topics where they turn to the literature to understand and make sense of their data. But where do we turn to take care of ourselves when our research involves difficult subjects, including mental health, suicide, and sexual assault?

This workshop offers SPEC members an opportunity to engage with CIMVHR mentors to enhance their knowledge of self-care in academic settings. The mentors will describe challenges they experienced and approaches they use to care for themselves before, during, and after challenging research. Starting with a panel discussion, this workshop provides space for group questions and one-on-one discussions about self- care. Alongside these conversations, which we recognize are difficult, we aim to maintain a relaxing atmosphere to reduce stress and burnout associated with studies, research, and conference attendance using resources such as therapy dogs.

Workshop Hosts:

Melissa Richardson
Queen’s University

Piaf Des Rosiers, PhD Student
University of Ottawa

Population-specific data needs of the Canadian Armed Forces: Refining how we present and use health data to enhance population health and public health action

Understanding population-level health trends within the Canadian Armed Forces is crucial for evidence- based public health action. While current surveillance outputs are produced at the national level, they may not adequately address the unique patient populations and operational demands of individual bases, wings, and detachments. Developing location-specific knowledge products that visualize key metrics can provide healthcare providers and the chain of command with clear insights into local population health trends, to support public health action.

This workshop will highlight our progress at the Directorate of Force Health Protection, Canadian Forces Health Services Headquarters, in designing interactive dashboards that transform complex data into actionable information. We will explore how tailored health metrics can help identify priorities, allocate resources effectively, and improve health outcomes. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to discuss their specific data needs, ensuring that future data visualizations align with real-world challenges and result in powerful tools to aid decision-making.

Workshop Hosts:

Natalia Abraham MD, MSc, MA
Epidemiology Section Head, DFHP Department of National Defence

Laura Bogaert, MSc, PhD (Cand)
University of Toronto

Carlo Rossi, MD, MTMH
Department of National Defence

Transition from Military to Civilian Life for Medical Reasons; Individual and marital psychosocial issues in the first 2 to 5 years following transition

The transition from military to civilian life for medical reasons presents various challenges and is a demanding process for both the veteran and their family. Adapting to this new reality, adjusting roles, and redefining identity can be a lengthy process, with numerous needs to address. How can these needs be met and supported while identifying specific issues and establishing individualized, marital, and family action plans? By considering the needs expressed by veterans and their spouses in a focus group from a co-construction perspective, participants will reflect on the needs of this population and explore ways to improve or create complementary services. A central focus will be placed on the spouses' experiences, the expression of their reality, and addressing their needs.

Workshop Hosts:

Audrey Gallant, MSW
Social worker, Military Family Resource Centre Montreal Region

Myriam Dufour, BSW
Military Family Resource Centre Montreal Region

Advancing Women Veterans Research in Canada

For decades, Canadian women Veterans have been under-researched, leaving their experiences excluded from program/policy development and implementation. Engaging with women Veterans, Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) has developed the 2025 Women Veterans Research Plan (WVRP) reflective of women Veterans’ research priorities. Building upon this progress, VAC aims to collaborate with national and international partners to conceptualize and develop a long-term women Veterans’ program of research guided by GBA Plus and a life course approach. This workshop provides space for VAC to present the WVRP, and for VAC and national partners to identify common research priorities for women Veterans in Canada. Participants will collectively map current and planned women Veteran research to identify opportunities for sustained collaboration, ensure effective use of existing data and research resources, reduce duplication of efforts, and strengthen knowledge mobilization to address existing knowledge gaps in women Veterans’ health and well-being outcomes now and into the future.

Workshop Host:

Lisa Garland Baird, RN, PhD
Senior Researcher, Veterans Affairs Canada

Kim Bethke, BA (they/them)
Health Surveillance Analyst, Veterans Affairs Canada

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.

Shawn Rhind2025 recipient: Shawn G. Rhind, PhD, Defence Research and Development Canada and University of Toronto, for the research Investigating tauopathy in Canadian special operations forces with repetitive occupational exposure to low-intensity blast overpressure

 

 

Mental Health Research Award

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

Sarah BourgetIsabelle Cindy Légaré2025 recipients:
Sarah Bourget, MSc, and Isabelle Cindy Légaré, BA, Université du Québec à Rimouski, for the research Et toi le paramédic, comment ça va ?

 

 

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.

Isabella Thomas2025 recipient:
Isabella Thomas, PhD student, Queen’s University, for the research Online communication and problematic social media use among military-connected youth in Canada

 

 

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

Awarded to a researcher whose poster presentation at CIMVHR Forum 2025 made an exceptional contribution to military, Veteran, and family health research

Madeline Kuiper2025 recipient:
Madeline Kuiper, PhD student, University of Prince Edward Island, for the research “Inconveniencing the institution”: An interpretive exploration of pregnancy experiences of Royal Canadian Navy service

 

 

Student Research Award

Awarded to the best student researcher presentation at CIMVHR Forum 2025.

Melissa Côté2025 recipient:
Melissa Côté, MSc, Western University, for the research Feasibility of AI-Assisted Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound During Aeromedical Evacuation: A Pilot Study