IWD 2022: Women Supporting Women at Canadian Forces Health Services

March 7, 2022 - Defence Stories

The International Women’s Day (IWD) theme for 2022 is Women Supporting Women. IWD is an opportunity for all Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) members and employees to celebrate the achievements, hard work, and dedication that women bring to our health services, and inspire within our Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). The Defence Team s strongest when we represent Canada’s diversity, when we stand shoulder-to-shoulder in moments of adversity, and when we rejoice in each other’s accomplishments.  Women Supporting Women is a call to action, and a promise; we will continue to improve our work environments, build and maintain networks and collaborative efforts, and encourage one another to be better than we were yesterday.

Today, as on all days, we are proud and honoured to work alongside so many exemplary women within CFHS, both in the military and the public service, across all environments, ranks, and classifications. Your service and work ethic are admirable, and our Defence Team would not be as strong without your substantial contributions.

We encourage you to read the inspiring words of a few of the incredible women that make up our CFHS, below.

Major-General Marc Bilodeau
Surgeon General, Canadian Armed Forces

Chief Warrant Officer Martin Bedard
Canadian Forces Health Services Group Chief Warrant Officer

Brigadier-General Scott Malcolm
Commander, Health Services Division, Canadian Armed Forces

Chief Warrant Officer Shelley Lamothe, Royal Canadian Medical Services Chief Warrant Officer, Canadian Forces Health Services Headquarters

I have experienced a very special career in Health Services that has allowed me to work with all of our elements both domestically and deployed.  The amazing, diverse population of CFHS has been unbelievable in the contributions they make to the operations that we conduct every day.  My proudest and most cherished memory was as a young medical technician when I was a part of Charlie Company with 1 PPCLI. As their company medical technician, I was fortunate to deploy on both domestic and international operations with them and the friendships forged during that time have endured the test of time.  The most important part of being a woman in the CAF is supporting other women to become the extraordinary leaders that they can be and enable them to follow all of their dreams. “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.”  - Michelle Obama

Colonel Geneviève Bussière, 1 Dental Unit Commanding Officer, 1 Dental Unit HQ, Ottawa

With over 22 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces, I feel privileged to have joined an organization that has offered me valuable opportunities to contribute, grow professionally, collaborate with and learn from an amazing and diverse team. I have worked in several military dental clinics across Canada, completed post-graduate studies, deployed on two operations, taught, mentored, and led on numerous occasions including in my current role as Commanding Officer 1 Dental Unit, as the first woman to do so. The Unit is responsible for providing high-quality patient-partnered dental care to the CAF so that the organization can fulfill its operational mandate. To tackle this important mission, the Unit depends and is proud to count on a fantastic team, including many inspiring and dedicated women.

Sergeant Jennifer Anderson, A/Western Region Medical Radiation Technologist, Canadian Forces Health Services Centre Edmonton

I have been so grateful to have been part of this organization for almost a quarter of a century. It has been my privilege to assist in the provision of equitable services for women’s health by creating services and workshops that identify disparities women face in routine access to care within the CAF and by educating clinicians about rapidly evolving abilities in sonography for women’s reproductive and oncological health. My trauma-informed care approach allows our cis-women and transgendered patients to feel safe and cared for by a member of their military team in an unpressured and transparent process.

Lieutenant-Colonel Anna Grodecki, Head/Operational Medicine, Director Health Services Operations, Ottawa

For me, working with and learning from women leaders showed me a path to be the type of leader that is true to my own personality. The leadership training I received highlighted the importance of different types and styles of leadership, but what I saw most often in practice tended towards a similar “military” style that wasn’t the best fit for me personally. Having the opportunity to work with women mentors as I progressed in my career showed me a diverse range of leadership styles and how these could work effectively in a military setting – for all people.

Captain Coralie Ayer, Officer in Charge of Dental Training, Canadian Forces Health Services Training Centre, Borden.

I feel so fortunate to be in the position that I am because of the women that have come before me both in dentistry and the CAF. It is a result of my strong mother and the women of my profession that have pushed the boundaries and made it possible for women like me to envision a limitless future. Women Supporting Women is powerful and allows us to rise together, and we have a lot to gain from seeing a woman rise to the top of her profession as a role model to others.

“Celebrating another woman’s triumphs or success will never take away from your shine or glory. If anything, it’ll add to it to create more light.” – Alexandra Elle

Sergeant Rebecca Strauss, Dental Tech Supervisor, 1 Dental Unit Detachment Halifax

Throughout my career I have had the privilege of working with numerous empowered women. They have provided support and encouragement and helped those around them rise. As a Dental Technician, I have had the opportunity to work in various environments, on land and at sea. One of my favourite memories was providing dental care in the Dominican Republic. 

A quote that inspires me: “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.” - Sheryl Sandberg

Chantal Bérubé, Mental Health Services Manager, Canadian Forces Health Services Centre Valcartier

I am an occupational therapist by training, the manager of the mental health department at the Health Services Centre, Valcartier, and also a reservist as Deputy Commander of the 35th Canadian Brigade Group. I am passionately involved in everything, including community youth hockey. I hope to be a true agent of change, an exemplary leader and an inspiration to those who come into contact with my positive influence.

Master Corporal Marie Plasse, Medical Assistant, 55 Field Ambulance

As a member of the Reserve Force, I work at 55 Field Ambulance as a Medical Assistant. I have had the opportunity to serve in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, in 2020 for several weeks; my job was to prevent and treat extreme cold injuries.

Colonel Bethann Meunier, Chief of Medical and Surgical Specialties, 1 Canadian Field Hospital, Petawawa

Throughout my career, the memories I hold most dear are those of the many health care teams that I have been privileged to be a part of, in Canada and around the world. I continue to be inspired by the dedication of multidisciplinary teams of women and men from both the CAF and our Allies.  The synergy within these teams truly supersedes any one individual, lifting all to a higher standard and a common goal of patient care.  I remain in awe of what this has accomplished, and what it can and will accomplish in the future.

Master Corporal Almira Ortile, Combat Medic, 12 Field Ambulance, Vancouver

It makes me proud to be a woman in the Canadian Armed Forces because it means that we as a country are not afraid to show the strength, compassion, resilience and all of the incredible qualities that come with being a woman working in the Army. As a Combat Medic in a leadership position, I have faced numerous physical and mental challenges – luckily, I am surrounded by overwhelming support from my CFHS team (especially my women predecessors) who reassure me time and time again through their own experiences and testaments, how rewarding it is to serve. My favourite memory was Remembrance Day 2017 when I was part of an all-woman cenotaph guard. It was truly an honor to be alongside my fellow unit members as we commemorated our history in that way.

Major Olivia Carbonneau, Nursing Officer, 1 Canadian Field Hospital, Petawawa

As an Officer and a nurse in the CAF, I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to provide health care both domestically on Op LASER, and abroad on Ops SIRONA and Op IMPACT working alongside other strong and dynamic women.  I will be forever grateful for the leadership and mentorship I have received from other women within this great organization.  Likewise, I strive to be a mentor and set an example for my peers and subordinates. A quote that inspires me daily is: “She believed she could, so she did!”