Operational medical research seeks to develop biomedical countermeasures to prevent and treat physical and psychological injuries that might be incurred during military training or operations. The ultimate goal is to maximize the health, readiness and performance of service members and their families. This symposium will highlight the wide scope of operational medical research. We will review key developments in resuscitation and transfusion research which is critical for supporting our warfighters during combat operations. However, recent events demonstrate the wide-ranging nature of military deployments, such as members of our forces deployed to Canadian long-term care homes to battle COVID-19 infections. We will also review current progress in COVID-19 vaccine development and treatment options.

Moderator and speakers include: 

• LCol Andrew Beckett, CD, MD, Trauma Advisor to the Surgeon General, Chief of General Surgery, Canadian Armed Forces; Medical Director, Trauma Program, St. Michael’s Hospital 
• Col (Retd) Homer Tien, OMM, CD, MD, Chief of Reserve Medical Specialties, Canadian Armed Forces; CEO, Ornge
• Joanne Langley, MD, MSc, Division Head, Infectious Diseases, IWK Health Centre; Professor, Dalhousie University
• Michelle Sholzberg, MDCM, MSc, Associate Scientist, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital
• Dana Devine, MD, PhD, Chief Medical and Scientific Officer, Canadian Blood Services; Professor, University of British Columbia