1 Field Ambulance appoints new Honorary Colonel
Six 1 Field Ambulance members also presented with honours and awards during ceremony
February 7, 2024 - Lt Matt Pinksen, 1 Field Ambulance
On Dec. 11, 2023, 1 Field Ambulance (1 Fd Amb) held a change of appointment ceremony in unit lines to say farewell to outgoing Honorary Colonel (HCol) Dr. Ruth Collins‑Nakai and welcome incoming HCol Dr. Scott McLeod.
Dr. Collins‑Nakai completed her undergraduate, medical school, and postgraduate education at the University of Alberta, McGill and Harvard universities. She is an internationally respected cardiologist and has made extensive contributions to the medical community locally and abroad. Dr. Ruth, as she was known to her patients, worked at the provincial, national and international levels in such roles as President of the Alberta Cardiovascular Society, the first female President of the Alberta Medical Association, Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the InterAmerican Society of Cardiology, among others.
Dr. Ruth has been recognized with numerous awards and recognitions, such as the International Academy of Cardiovascular Sciences Distinguished Achievement Award for promoting cardiovascular education and research throughout the world, as well as an appointment to the Order of Canada in 2016. She was appointed Honorary Lieutenant‑Colonel for 1 Fd Amb in 2013 and promoted to Honorary Colonel in 2019. Throughout her tenure, she has brought great honour and pride to 1 Fd Amb and will be greatly missed.
Our new Honorary Colonel, Colonel (ret.) Scott McLeod, completed his undergraduate, medical, and masters degrees at the University of Regina, the University of Saskatchewan, the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (Texas), and the Canadian Forces College National Securities Program (Toronto), receiving awards for academic excellence throughout. Throughout his career he has served in Moose Jaw, Winnipeg, Toronto and Ottawa, as well as Geilenkirchen, Germany and San Antonio, Texas.
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Lieutenant‑Colonel Joseph Robinson, Commanding Officer 1 Field Ambulance (1 Fd Amb) (left), and incoming 1 Fd Amb Honorary Colonel Dr. Scott McLeod.
Photos by Robert Schwartz, 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton Imaging
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(L‑R) Outgoing 1 Field Ambulance (1 Fd Amb) Honorary Colonel (HCol) Dr. Ruth Collins‑Nakai, 1 Fd Amb Commanding Officer Lieutenant‑Colonel Joseph Robinson and incoming 1 Fd Amb HCol Dr. Scott McLeod conduct the signing of the Change of Appointment scrolls.
HCol McLeod has deployed to Haiti, Kosovo and Afghanistan, and retired from the military as the Deputy Surgeon General in 2017, subsequently taking on the role of Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. Having already influenced the medical skills and knowledge of our unit members, 1 Fd Amb is looking forward to continuing our collaboration with HCol McLeod.
Also at this ceremony, 1 Fd Amb Commanding Officer Lieutenant‑Colonel Joseph Robinson and HCol McLeod presented honours and awards to members of the unit.
Corporal Lynette Dyrkacz was awarded the Canadian Joint Operations Command Commendation for their exemplary service while deployed on Operation UNIFIER.
HCol Collins‑Nakai was awarded the Canadian Health Services Command Commendation.
Cpl Jessica Gervais and Cpl Alexandre Michaud were awarded Special Service Medals for their deployments on Op REASSURANCE.
Sergeant Jay Dwernichuk, Sgt Jason Flegel and Cpl Lance Sheppard were awarded Canadian Forces Decorations.
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Outgoing 1 Field Ambulance Honorary Colonel Dr. Ruth Collins‑Nakai (right) and 1 Fd Amb Commanding Officer Lieutenant‑Colonel Joseph Robinson.
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Acting 1 Field Ambulance (1 Fd Amb) Regimental Sergeant‑Major Master Warrant Officer Alicia Marshall (left), 1 Fd Amb Commanding Officer Lieutenant‑Colonel Joseph Robinson (second from left), and 1 Fd Amb Honorary Colonel Dr. Scott McLeod (right) present Corporal Alexandre Michaud (centre) and Cpl Jessica Gervais with their Special Service Medals.
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