Jules Xavier
Shilo Stag
Leaving his job as 11 Health CO to be the DCO at 1 Canadian Field Hospital at Garrison Petawawa will be bittersweet for Maj Joel Bernier.
“As I stand before you, my heart is filled with a mix of emotions. It is with both a sense of pride and a touch of sadness I address you as the outgoing CO of this remarkable Unit,” he told an attentive audience during his CoC ceremony held at the Officers’ Mess.
“Over the past three years, I have witnessed the extraordinary dedication, resilience and compassion that define every one of you. Through this address, I will recall our four lines of effort and as always, they are not in any way in order of priority: communication, members, patients and operations.”
Maj Bernier is being replaced by incoming CO Maj Kirsten MacFadyen, who comes to CFB Shilo from Garrison Edmonton, where she was Primary Care Services manager at the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Health Services Centre.
During his speech, Maj Bernier expressed his deepest gratitude to the entire team working out of 11 Health.
“You are the backbone of this unit, and your unwavering commitment to providing exceptional healthcare services has been nothing short of inspiring. Whether it was working long hours with PPE during the pandemic, the enhanced public health measures, tending to patients, or supporting each other in times where our staffing levels were critical, you have demonstrated the utmost professionalism and dedication to our patients,” he offered, adding, “But our success goes beyond individual achievements. It is the collective effort, the synergy of our skills and expertise, that has propelled us forward.
“The camaraderie and sense of duty that permeate this unit have created an environment where trust, respect, and collaboration thrive. We have supported one another, uplifted each other during difficult times, and celebrated our victories together. It is this unity that has made us strong.”
He was not distracted in the least during his speech, with daughter Madyson sitting on the floor in front of his lectern podium, colouring a special CoC colouring book. Even spilled pencil crayons scattered about the on floor did not make him lose his spot on the speech document.
The COVID-19 pandemic especially taxed Maj Bernier’s team, but they were up for the challenge when it came to vaccinating soldiers, but also providing healthcare during lockdowns and mask wearing.
“Our patients drive our mission, its core, has always been to save lives and alleviate suffering. And together, we have achieved remarkable outcomes. From emergency medical interventions to preventive care initiatives, we have touched countless lives and made a profound difference in our CFB Shilo community,” he said.
Maj Bernier added, “Each patient we have treated, each person we have comforted, bears witness to the impact we have had. As we prepare to communicate our women’s and diversity program, we continue to lead the way. Countless hours have been spent to reduce wait times and optimize clinical care, be it by training in specific fields or crunching the numbers in the scheduler, we’ve never lost the focus of our mission. We started with five CALIAN positions three years ago, we now have 13. Our patient population is changing, and we must continue to adapt along with it.”
Maj Bernier advised communicating repeatedly is important when it comes to 11 Health working with the soldiers his team serves.
“Transparency and access to information has been essential in the last three years. With the ever-changing health measures, staff members working from home, the use of virtual care, we’ve had to adapt to the new technology available to us and take advantage of it. Through our newsletter and our meeting minutes, we communicate to our patients and members our stats and highlight our Bravo Zulus for all to see the great work being done here.”
When it comes to operations, as a small unit on an Army training Base in Manitoba, Maj Bernier said military members posted here tend to think they will get no chance to deploy or to participate in exciting training. Not under his watch.
“I had as an objective to at least deploy one member per year and we’ve achieved that. We wanted to send members on exciting training, mission accomplished through advanced winter warfare, the cadaver lab in Edmonton at the end of the month and so on.
“Being posted to a small unit doesn’t lessen the opportunities, rather the contrary, it gives the member a greater chance to shine. Furthermore, CFB Shilo units have been extremely busy in the past years, Op LASER and VECTOR which required medical DAGs with the countless RFAs. Op IMPACT DAGs, Op REASSURANCE DAGs etc. I don’t recall a time where we weren’t dagging a unit. But this is also part of why we exist, to get the soldiers ready to go do the business.”
Maj Bernier then welcomed his replacement to take over from his team.
“As I prepare to pass the torch to Maj MacFadyen, I have full confidence in the future of this unit. Each of you possesses the talent, the dedication and the spirit needed to continue our mission with firm commitment. As I’ve said many times, embrace the challenges and the changes that lie ahead, for they are opportunities for growth and advancement. Build upon the foundation we have laid and take this unit to even greater heights.”
He switched to French when it came to acknowledging his family: wife Claude-Emilie Talbot and children Ashley, Shawn and Mady.
“Merci de m’avoir supporter durant ces trois dernières années. Elles n’ont pas été facile, loin de notre famille, mais nous avons su nous tenir ensemble pour passer au travers. Vous êtes ma force et ma détermination pour pousser toujours plus loin. Merci de me permettre de me dépasser a tous les jours et de m’épauler dans les moments difficiles. Je vous aimes comme une grosse infinie d’arc-en-ciel.”
In closing before passing the microphone to reviewing officer Capt (N) Nicholas Gauthier, Comd 1 Health Services Group, Maj Bernier wanted to thank each and everyone who he had the privilege of serving alongside.
“It has been an honour to lead this extraordinary team of healthcare professionals. Remember, the work we do is noble and vital. The impact we make is immeasurable. Never lose sight of the difference you can make in the lives of others.
“I carry with me the memories of the incredible moments we have shared – the barbecues, social activities, the find the gnome, the polar plunge, the PTs, the moments at the mess, the Officers’ coffees, Cpl John Pauls. Together, we have accomplished great things, and I have no doubt that the legacy of excellence will endure.”
Maj Bernier acknowledged the loss of Cpl Pauls, a Second World War medic who donated his military paraphernalia to 11 Health, who died age 106 in November 2022. He announced the RCA Museum is working on a display case of Cpl Pauls’ donation which will be shown in the unit’s main hallway.
Colouring a dinosaur yellow in a special Change of Command colouring book, Madyson Bernier did not distract her father Maj Joel Bernier during his 11 Health CoC speech during a ceremony held at the Officers’ Mess. 1 Health Services Group Commander Capt (N) Nicholas Gauthier was reviewing officer, who said he welcomed the distractions offered by the children attending the ceremony as they are part of the military family, too. Maj Bernier and Capt (N) Gauthier both handed out Command Team coins as part of the ceremony prior to the signing of the CoC scrolls, where new CO Maj Kirsten MacFadyen had her daughter Margot on her lap while signing it. Maj Bernier took part in the 17th annual BComd’s golf tournament at the Shilo Country Club, introducing Maj MacFadyen to the 18-hole course as part of his foursome. Before entering the ceremony area, 11 Health had a display on Cpl John Pauls, a 106-year-old Second World War medic, who donated his military paraphernalia to 11 Health prior to his death in November 2022. This material will be part of a new display at 11 Health, currently being built at the RA Museum. Emcee for the ceremony was 11 Health clinic sergeant major WO Emilie Pike.nPhotos Jules Xavier/Shilo Stag
