OTTAWA, Aug. 5, 2014 /CNW/ - The inaugural recipient of the John McCrae Memorial Medal is Lt.- Col. Bethann Meunier of Kingston, a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) anaesthesiologist. Throughout Lt.-Col Meunier's accomplished career, she has made significant contributions to the betterment of health services in the Canadian Armed Forces.
"Lt.-Col. Meunier has demonstrated traits such as compassion and self-sacrifice beyond the call of duty, making her deserving of this award," said Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti, CMA President. "Her accomplishments have greatly benefited the health of the medical community and civilians."
"I am both honoured and extremely humbled to receive this award from my colleagues, peers and mentors. The CMA John McCrae Memorial Medal is a wonderful reflection of the military-civilian collaboration that has been a long-standing aspect of Canadian health care, from medical training to care provision, itself," said Lt.-Col. Meunier.
"The success of this cooperation has enabled those of us in uniform to extend the qualities and capabilities of Canadian health care beyond borders to those requiring assistance in times of peace, conflict or crisis. This has been central to my own career and to that of so many of my colleagues.
"I would like to convey my sincere gratitude to the CMA for establishing this symbol of support that will undoubtedly prove as motivating as it is moving for all of us in the Canadian Forces Medical Services, past, present and future."
Lt.-Col. Meunier has deployed in diverse environments providing health care and sound leadership in crisis situations, at times under austere conditions. Her leadership and innovation, combined with a natural ability to mentor, have led to the successful development of military medical training opportunities nationwide.
Lt.-Col. Meunier's deployments have included participation in CAF humanitarian efforts (Kosovar Refugee crisis, the 2010 Haitian earthquake and the United States Navy Ship Mercy missions in the Pacific), UN Peacekeeping missions (the Central African Republic, Eritrea and Ethiopia) and numerous deployments during Canada's counterinsurgency and training/mentorship missions in Afghanistan. Throughout these missions, Ltg.-Col. Meunier's selfless dedication to patient care and teaching never faltered despite the large volume of complex cases and challenging conditions. Her compassion and capabilities in health care delivery and training, domestically and internationally, have brought great credit to the Canadian medical community and have decreased the suffering of countless individuals wounded in natural disasters and armed conflict.
Lt.-Col.Meunier will receive her award on Aug. 20, at a ceremony to be held at the Westin Ottawa as part of the CMA's 147th annual meeting.
The Canadian Medical Association is the national voice of Canadian physicians. Founded in 1867, the CMA is a voluntary professional organization representing more than 80,000 of Canada's physicians and comprising 12 provincial and territorial medical associations and 60 national medical organizations. CMA's mission is to serve and unite the physicians of Canada and be the national advocate, in partnership with the people of Canada, for the highest standards of health and health care.
SOURCE: Canadian Medical Association
Dominique Jolicoeur, Communications Officer, Tel.: 613-731-8610 or 800-663-7336 ext. 2038, Cell: 613-809-5669, [email protected]
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