NR - 12.129 - June 9, 2012
OTTAWA - The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, spoke at the Canadian Orthopaedic Association’s Annual Meeting in Ottawa last night. Addressing the audience of surgical experts and medical professionals from across the country, Minister MacKay paid tribute to Canadian Forces (CF) orthopaedic surgeons and thanked the larger health care community for their support to the CF.
“Our government is committed to providing the highest possible care for ill and injured members of the Canadian Forces,” said Minister MacKay. “We are incredibly grateful to the dedication and professionalism of the many orthopaedic surgeons who have provided care for our members injured in the line of duty - either at home during domestic operations, training, or while serving on overseas missions.”
The CF established, led, and provided the majority of medical personnel for almost four years at the Multinational Medical Unit in Kandahar where thousands of coalition personnel were treated and hundreds of Canadian physicians and surgeons - both military and civilian - served.
CF doctors, nurses, dentists, and medical / laboratory technicians are currently fulfilling the important task of medical and dental mentoring as part of Operation ATTENTION in Kabul.
Minister MacKay also noted that here at home, the CF orthopaedic surgeons and team of medical professionals have played an essential role in assisting the Joint Personnel Support Unit (JPSU) and Integrated Personnel Support Centres (IPSC) in their mission to ensure seamless support to our men and women in need and to their families. By providing continuous support, access and exchanging key information with the JPSU/IPSC team, the CF orthopaedic surgeons and all of the CF medical professionals form an integrated support system that makes it possible for the, JPSU/IPSC to provide a “one-stop service” for ill and injured Canadian Forces (CF) personnel.
The Canadian Orthopaedic Association was founded in 1945 and its mission is to serve the profession and promote excellence in orthopaedic and musculoskeletal health for Canadians.
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Notes to editor / news director: For more information on the Canadian Orthopaedic Association: http://www.coaannualmeeting.ca/websites/coa_2012/
To view “Caring for Our Own” a comprehensive approach for the care of CF ill and injured members and their families: http://www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca/pub/coo-psn/index-eng.asp
