Veterans’ Health and Health Research in Canada

At this Luncheon we will explore the world-class research that is being conducted in Canada dedicated to the health and well-being of Canada’s Veterans and their families. In Canada, we have 71,500 Regular Force members of the Canadian Armed Forces, 30,000 Reservists, 54,000 military families and 658,000 Veterans, many of whom have unique risks, exposures and experiences that demand new standards of treatment, prevention and care for both the ill and injured. Presenters at this Luncheon will provide us with an overview of the health research aimed at advancing the well-being of our Veterans and highlight our strengths and challenges in taking care of the pride of Canada’s military.

                                                                               Co-hosted by:

The Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) is an innovative organization that engages existing academic research resources and facilitates the development of new research, research capacity and effective knowledge translation. With a network of academic researchers from across Canada, it serves as the hub for 43 Canadian universities who have agreed to work together in addressing the health research requirements of the Canadian military, Veterans and their families.

Alain Brunet, PhD

Psychologist and Professor of Psychiatry, McGill University
Researcher, Douglas Institute

Dr. Alain Brunet is a clinical psychologist and Full Professor of Psychiatry at McGill University. Through his research in neuroscience at the Douglas Institute in Montréal, Professor Alain Brunet has developed an innovative treatment modality for trauma-related disorders entitled Reconsolidation Therapy which was used to treat victims of terrorism in Paris and Nice, France. The treatment combines a psychological intervention in six sessions with an old benign medication, propranolol.

Ruth A. Lanius, MD, PhD, FRCPC

Professor of Psychiatry, Western University

Dr. Ruth Lanius is a Professor at Western University and holds the Harris-Woodman Chair. She is a clinician scientist working on increasing our understanding of the brain mechanisms underlying different presentations of posttraumatic stress. Her team also conducts research examining novel adjunctive treatments for posttraumatic stress-related conditions. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Canadian Institutes of Military and Veteran Health Research provide ongoing support of Dr. Lanius’ research.

Jitender Sareen, MD, FRCPC

Department Head of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba
Medical Director, WRHA Mental Health Program

Dr. Jitender Sareen is Professor and Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Manitoba. He has published over 350 peer-reviewed publications & held national peer-reviewed grants in the areas of traumatic stress, anxiety disorders, indigenous suicide, psychiatric neuroimaging, and military mental health & suicide. Dr. Sareen has received national awards for excellence in clinical research, and has been designated as a Canadian Institutes of Military and Veterans Health Research Fellow.

Innovative Medicines Canada is the national voice of Canada’s innovative pharmaceutical industry. We advocate for policies that enable the discovery, development and commercialization of innovative medicines and vaccines that improve the lives of all Canadians. We support our members’ commitment to being valued partners in the Canadian healthcare system.

Lawson Health Research Institute

Royal Roads University