Scholarships and Awards
For the past eight years, Wounded Warriors Canada and the Royal Canadian Legion have made it possible for the next generation of military and Veteran health researchers to advance their studies through their scholarship opportunities. New to this support for student researchers is the Dr. Mark Zamorski Award.
The Dr. Mark Zamorski Award honours the legacy of Dr. Mark Zamorski, who was a specialist in epidemiological and health services research on the mental health of military personnel and a steadfast CIMVHR supporter. Dr. Zamorski began his career at the Canadian Forces Health Services Group, in 2002, as the head of the Research and Analysis Section of the Directorate of Mental Health. In 2016, the Governor General recognized him with the Meritorious Service Medal for his contributions to improving post-deployment mental health care of Canadian Armed Forces members.
In 2013, Dr. Zamorski was the recipient of the prestigious CIMVHR Forum Major Sir Frederick Banting MC, RCAMC Award for his research excellence. Over his career, he had authored or co-authored more than 70 peer-reviewed scientific papers; three book chapters; and more than 170 other abstracts, reports, and monographs.
The award in Dr. Zamorski’s honour is open to postgraduate students specializing in epidemiological and mental health in military personnel, Veterans and/or their families. Dr. Zamorski’s husband, Maj (Retd) Phillip Edwards, announced Jordana Sommer, BA, University of Manitoba, for the research A Longitudinal Population-Based Examination of Comorbid Relationships Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Physical Health Conditions Among Canadian Military Personnel as the inaugural recipient at CIMVHR Forum 2019 in Ottawa-Gatineau.
In addition to the above award, the following researchers-in-training were presented with the following scholarships for their outstanding promise to the field of military, Veteran and family health research:
Wounded Warriors Canada Doctoral Scholarship in Military and Veteran Health Research, was presented to Ashley Williams, PhD (Cand), Queen's University, for the research From Canadian Forces Health Services to the Civilian Heath Care System: A Study of Veteran Health.
The Royal Canadian Legion Master’s Scholarship in Veteran Health Research, was presented to Kaitlin Sullivan, BA & Sc, The University of British Columbia, for the research Identifying neuronal subpopulation participation across the stages fear memory.
With the support of the Mark Zamorski Award, the Royal Canadian Legion, and Wounded Warriors Canada, CIMVHR awarded $71,000 to support the next generation of researchers.
The Dr. Mark Zamorski Award
An annual $5,000 to a postgraduate student to enhance their specialization in epidemiological and mental health problems in military personnel, Veterans and/or their families.
Wounded Warriors Doctoral Scholarship in Military and Veteran Health Research
Awarded annually, this scholarship is valued at $18,000/year for two years and is presented to a Doctoral level student conducting research on issues relevant to military members, Veterans and families.
Royal Canadian Legion Masters Scholarship in Veteran Health Research
Awarded annually, this scholarship is valued at $15,000/year for two years and is presented to a Master’s level student specializing in research related to Veterans and their families.
Student and Postdoctoral Engagement Committee
The Student and Postdoctoral Engagement Committee (SPEC) exists to promote networking opportunities among graduate and postdoctoral students in military, Veteran and family health to empower the next generation of researchers. SPEC is a peer-support network for students and trainees through their academic journey.
At CIMVHR Forum 2019, SPEC hosted its fourth annual networking event, sponsored by Wounded Warriors Canada. This well attended event provided an opportunity for all students and postdoctoral fellows to network and engage with other emerging researchers who are studying issues related to military, Veterans and their families and to network with the leading experts in the field from all around the world.
At the event, the first ever SPEC Executive was announced, which consists of five students and postdocs from across Canada:
This executive will lead the way to foster dialogue between the many remarkable students and postdoctoral fellows in the field of military, Veteran, public safety personnel and family health across Canada and around the world.