(OTTAWA) – Hundreds of researchers, policymakers, practitioners and partners will gather In Ottawa, Oct. 20-22 to advance the health and wellbeing of military personnel, Veterans, public safety personnel and their families as part of the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) 2025 Forum.
“The wellbeing of Canada’s military members, veterans and their families depends on how well we understand their experiences and how we respond with compassion and evidence,” said Dr. Nicholas Held, Interim Scientific Director at CIMVHR. “The partnerships represented at CIMVHR’s Forum – between researchers, governments, health care providers and community organizations – are exactly what Canada needs to ensure the right supports are in place at every stage of service and transition.”
The Forum includes more than 200 presentations and discussions highlighting cutting-edge research, policy innovation and best practices from Canada and around the world. The forum speakers will address the importance of research-informed policy, particularly as Canada faces evolving challenges in military health, veteran care and the growing demands on public safety personnel.
The opening keynote panel, Collaborating Perspectives: Showcasing the Role of Research in Shaping the Future for Military, Veteran, Public Safety and Family Health, will feature a discussion among international government representatives on how evidence-based research informs policies, programs and supports.
The Forum will also focus on current issues and offers a special presentation Monday October 20: Psychological and Physical Assistance for Ukrainians in Times of War by Dr. Oksana Syvak. This session is highly sought after and bringing in delegates including Romeo Dallaire, L-G Retired and Andrii Plakhotniuk, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Canada.
Organizers say the Forum is a space where innovation meets empathy. “When researchers collaborate across disciplines and borders, we accelerate the discovery of solutions that directly benefit those who have dedicated their lives to serving others. Our role at CIMVHR is to ensure that this knowledge translates into meaningful action,” says Dr. Stéphanie Bélanger, Associate Scientific Director at CIMVHR
Since 2010, CIMVHR has built a network of 46 Canadian universities who have agreed to work together to address the health research requirements of the Canadian military, Veterans and their families. The institute acts as a conduit between the academic community and research funding organizations.
For media interviews:
Contact: Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research
Email: lauren.hanlon@queensu.ca
Mobile: 613-276-6107
Website: https://cimvhrforum.ca/agenda/
Email: amy.doyle@queensu.ca
Mobile: 613-849-8163
Website: https://cimvhrforum.ca/agenda/
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FORUM HIGHLIGHTS
Monday October 20: Researchers will showcase groundbreaking Canadian research that sheds light on pressing issues facing Veterans, military personnel and families:
- The Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence delivers opening remarks.
- Dr. Cheryl Forchuk (Western University) presents early findings from a national study on Canadian women Veterans experiencing homelessness, highlighting the urgent need for gender-informed supports.
- Dr. Jenny Jing Wen Liu (Sunnybrook Research Institute) explores at-risk profiles and resilience pathways as Veterans transition from military to civilian life.
- Dr. Alex DiBattista (Defence Research and Development Canada) presents innovative methods for uncovering brain injury through advanced biomarker analysis.
Tuesday, October 21: Researchers will present international studies, including:
- Dr. Nichola Fear (King’s College London) on mental health outcomes and alcohol misuse among UK Armed Forces over two decades.
- Cristina Stef (CIMVHR/Invictus Games Research Program) on the mental health and wellbeing impacts of participation in the 2025 Invictus Games, a topic gaining strong public interest worldwide.
Wednesday, October 22: Sessions will explore innovation and operational resilience, featuring:
- Dr. Andrew Beckett (McGill University) presenting on universal donor blood research to improve transfusion safety in combat zones.
- A keynote presentation, Thriving in the Cold: Medical Priorities to Enable Cold Weather Operational Resiliency for the Fighting Force in Canada’s High North and Arctic, by Maj Tristan M. Alie, MD, FRCPCand MCpl Laurent Belanger, focusing on research and lived experience in Arctic readiness.
- Deputy Minister Paul Ledwell will deliver closing remarks, reflecting on the week’s insights and future directions.
ABOUT CIMVHR
The Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) is a pan-Canadian network of more than 46 universities dedicated to advancing research that improves the health and wellbeing of Canadian military personnel, Veterans, public safety personnel and their families.
CIMVHR works in partnership with government departments, industry and community organizations to ensure that research evidence leads to meaningful improvements in policy, programs and care. The CIMVHR Forum continues to serve as Canada’s leading platform for translating research into real-world health improvements for those who serve the nation.
Photo courtesy of DepositPhotos
