Cdr Cathy Slaunwhite

Canadian Forces Medical Officer Health Services Attaché

Commander Cathy Slaunwhite joined the Canadian Forces (CF) in 1975 as a Naval Reservist, at HMCS Scotian, Halifax Nova Scotia. She sailed on numerous CF ships as a cook (HMCS Fort Steele, Port St Jean and Port St Louis) prior to joining the Regular Force and the Medical Officer Training Plan in 1981. A graduate of Dalhousie Medical School in 1984, she completed an internship at York Finch Hospital in Toronto in 1985.

Lieutenant(N) Slaunwhite spent her early years in the CF as a Flight Surgeon on Canadian Forces Base Trenton, then as Wing Surgeon at CFB Summerside. She very much enjoyed the teaching role, working with air crew, patients, and medical technicians. Highlights of those years include flying missions to Thule Greenland and Alert, as well as participating in Med Evac flights in Eastern Canada.

After a year of language training in Esquimalt, LCdr Slaunwhite became the Senior Staff Officer to the Maritime Pacific Surgeon, and developed an interest in providing mentoring and leadership support to the Senior Medical Officers in Western Canada. She also had a chance to sail for two months with HMCS Resitgouche, form Safaga Egypt to Victoria BC, via Singapore, Guam and Hawaii.

LCdr Slaunwhite spent one year in Mons Belgium at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, supporting families from many NATO and PfP nations. Back in Canada from 1995 until 1999, she was the Area Surgeon for Land Force Western Area HQs, which complimented her experience with the air force and navy in previous postings. As Area Surgeon she and her team helped provide guidance for medical elements of the Ice Storm response domestically, and the mission to Kosovo on the international front. During those years, there was the chance to attend NATO Defense Staff College in Rome, Italy, which provided a great platform for working with many international military and civilian defence professionals.

Following the posting to Edmonton, Cdr Slaunwhite lead the large clinic at National Defence Medical Centre for three years, then supported two consecutive Surgeon Generals from 2002–2006 as their Senior Staff Officer. In these positions she became very interested in the fields of Mental Health, Disability Management, Sick Leave, and Complaint Investigations.

Since 2007, Cdr Cathy Slaunwhite has occupied the role of Health Services Attaché and the CF Medical Liaison Officer at Canadian Defence Liaison Staff (Washington). With a team of three, the medical unit watches out for over 700 CF members and their families who are posted to the US, and also develops a network of colleagues in the civilian and military health sectors. She remains very interested in the Mental Health and Occupational Health fields.