05 Sep at 10am – The Canadian Transition and life after service experience.
In this webinar Dr Dursun will share the key insights and issues identified in the joint Department of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada Military Veteran Transition and Life after service Study and other ongoing work with veterans and their families. The one hour presentation will be followed by an interactive Q&A session that will allow participants to ask Dr Dursun questions about the points raised in the presentation or current issues on transition related to their work. To register https://otago.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ttnVUmeNSX2AB9wmX6-zHQ
19 September at 10am – The Canadian Transition and post service life health and wellbeing experience
In this webinar Dr Jim Thompson will speak on the key issues and insights on the wellbeing aspects of Transition and post service life and associated matters including the issue of Suicide arising from the joint Defence of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada Military Veteran Transition and life after Service Study. The one hour presentation will be followed by an interactive Q&A session that will allow participants to ask Dr Dursun questions about the points raised in the presentation or current issues on transition related to their work. To register https://otago.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_m5mEmN84R6umdAx6UAPGZw
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Dr Sanela Dursun PhD
Dr Sanela Dursun is a research psychologist and Chief Scientist and (Acting) Director General Military Personnel Research and Analysis at the Department of National Defence in Canada.
In this role, she provides science-based advice to senior Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence leaders on personnel generation, personnel and family support, and operational and organizational dynamics.
She is also responsible for managing and delivering research, analysis, and expert advice on strategies to improve the well-being of serving members, veterans, and their families.
Dr. Dursun has published and disseminated research findings in these domains both within the Department of National Defence and in a variety of international forums.
She is currently Vice-Chair of the NATO Research Task Group on Transition to Civilian Life and Chair of the NATO Research Task Group on Sexual Violence in the Military. Dr Dursun holds a doctorate in health psychology.
Dr Jim Thompson MD
Dr Jim Thompson is an adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences at Queen’s University. He is also Research Medical Consultant to the Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research.
Dr Thompson served as the Research Medical Advisor at Veterans Affairs Canada from 2005 to 2019.
His special interest is in the well-being of military Veterans and their families and in weighing expert opinion and scientific evidence to support policy and services.
Dr Thompson took a leading role in the Canadian Transition and Life After Service Study and the subsequent work on Wellbeing and Wellbeing outcomes of Veterans and Families.
Prior to his role at Veterans Affairs Canada Dr Thompson practised Emergency Medicine in Prince Edward Island and was Chief of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown.
Following his medical training in 1986 he initially practiced Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine in Alberta. Subsequently he was Director of the Alberta Family Practice Research Network and also served as Chief of a multi-hospital Rural Department of Family Medicine in the David Thompson Health Region in Alberta.
Before commencing his medical studies Dr Thompson served as a Reservist in an Infantry Regiment of the Canadian Army and was a research biologist in Canada’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans. He has over 100 scientific publications.
About This Series
This series of real time education and information sharing webinars has been developed by Not For Profit ASCN (New Zealand) in collaboration with Veterans Affairs New Zealand, the NZ Defence Force and the University of Otago.
The Transition series will run during September, October and November 2019 and each Webinar will be presented by International Thought Leaders and Researchers from New Zealand allied countries including Canada, United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Robert Lippiatt from ASCN (NZ) will chair the Webinar series. Robert has had significant international experience chairing and facilitating Defence and veterans forms They will cover the key issues and insights on Military Veteran Transition and post service life gained through research and other ongoing work with military members, veterans and their families in the relevant country.
Watch out for information and registration instructions for the next set of Webinars in the series which will be held in late September and October.
If you require any additional information on these Webinars or would like to register your interest in participating in the rest of the Webinar series please contact Steve Shamy at the ASCN (New Zealand) Secretariat at email ascn.nz@gmail.com.
About Us
ASCN (New Zealand) in conjunction with ASCN (Australia) form the Trans Tasman Australasian Services Care Network (ASCN).
This Not for profit Network acts as a neutral and independent hub for discussion and action by Government, Research, Service Providers and Advocacy on health and wellbeing questions and issues that impact military, veterans, public safety officers and their families in both countries.
It is committed to improving the life-long health and wellbeing of current and former members of the Defence Force (Regular and Reserve), Public Safety Organisations and their Families