Rear-Admiral (retired) The Honourable Rebecca Patterson, OMM MSM CD RN CHE (born June 15, 1965) is a Canadian Senator for Ontario and a retired Rear Admiral in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).
Rebecca Patterson | |
|---|---|
| Deputy Leader of the Canadian Senators Group | |
| Assumed office January 12, 2023 | |
| Leader | Scott Tannas |
| Preceded by | Dennis Patterson |
| Canadian Senator from Ontario | |
| Assumed office November 22, 2022 | |
| Nominated by | Justin Trudeau |
| Appointed by | Mary Simon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 15, 1965 |
| Political party | Canadian Senators Group |
| Alma mater | |
| Website | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Canada |
| Branch/service | Royal Canadian Navy |
| Years of service | 1989–2023 |
| Rank | Rear-admiral |
Patterson is the first person with a military nursing background to ever lead at the rank of Flag (General) Officer in Canada and first CAF woman veteran appointed to the Senate of Canada.
She was appointed to the Senate on November 21, 2022 on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau[1][2].
Education & Military Service
editPatterson obtained her Diploma in Nursing from Niagara College in 1987. In 1989, she enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces as a critical care Nursing Officer under the Direct Entry Officer plan. She deployed as a critical care nurse and as a member of the 1 Canadian Field Hospital during Operation SCALPEL in Saudi Arabia during the Persian Gulf Conflict in 1991. After returning from Saudi Arabia, Patterson returned to the intensive care ward as a Senior Nurse.
In 1993, Patterson was deployed with the Advanced Surgical Team with the Canadian Airborne Regiment Battle Group as part of Operation DELIVERANCE in Somalia.[3][4] Patterson returned to Ontario as a Head Nurse in the surgical ward, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science and a Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate from the University of Ottawa in 1997, graduating with Summa Cum Laude status.
In 1997, Patterson worked with the 1 Canadian Field Hospital, where her responsibilities included the provision of direct patient care, leading CAF medical education & training, directing national level medical planning in support of CAF missions at home and abroad, managing a large CAF primary care health centre, and overseeing the healthcare delivery to CAF military personnel in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. Patterson obtained her Certified Health Executive certification from the Canadian College of Health Leaders in 2003.[5]
From July 2011 to July 2012, Patterson was deployed as the team leader of the 34-member Armed Forces Academy of Medical Sciences (AFAMS) under Operation ATTENTION with the NATO Training Mission in Kabul, Afghanistan. The multi-national team was focused on delivering training and professional development services to the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police in re-establishing their medical education and training system. Patterson was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal from the Governor General of Canada in recognition for her leadership in Afghanistan in February 2014.[6][7]
Upon her return to Canada from Afghanistan in 2012, she was appointed Commander of 1 Health Services Group, responsible for the provision of healthcare to CAF personnel in the west and north of Canada.[8]
In 2016, she was appointed as the Deputy Commander (and later Commander in 2020)[9] of the Canadian Forces Health Services Group, where she was responsible for leadership, oversight, and management of Canada’s 14th health jurisdiction to deliver health care to CAF members in Canada and on international military missions. Patterson was recognized and inducted as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society in 2021, for her leadership in the Armed Forces healthcare professionals' contributions and care of seniors living in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.[10]
In 2018, during her time as Commander of the Canadian Forces Health Services Group, Patterson was appointed as Director General Professional Military Conduct for Operation HONOUR and as Defence Champion for Women, on of the Employment, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EEDI) Defence Team Champions. Both roles aimed to prevent, address and eliminate sexual misconduct within the ranks and re-establish public trust in the Canadian military.
In 2018, Patterson was inducted as an Officer in the Order of Military Merit in 2018.[11]
In 2021, Patterson served as Director General, Culture Change, Chief Professional Conduct and Culture, coordinating efforts to support Canada's National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security while working to transform military culture and restore public trust.[12]
Patterson was appointed to the Senate on November 21, 2022 on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau[1][2]. She was sworn in on December 13, 2023.[13] January 2023 marked her retirement from the military.
Political Career
editOn January 12, 2023, Patterson joined the Canadian Senators Group.[14] She has served as the Deputy Leader of the Canadian Senators Group since November 1, 2023.
Patterson is currently a member of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence, and Veterans Affairs (SECD) and Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA). She is the Chair of the Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs (VEAC).
Volunteer Work
editShe is a founder and director of Soldiers Helping Soldiers, incorporated, all-volunteer organization made up of serving military members, veterans, and citizens at large who are keen to find homeless veterans, connect with them, and connect them to those who can help them.[15]
References
edit- ^ a b "PM Trudeau appoints 3 new senators for Ontario". CBC News. 2022-11-21. Retrieved 2022-11-23.
- ^ a b "The Prime Minister announces the appointment of three senators". Prime Minister of Canada. 2022-11-21. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ Canada, Service (2015-10-13). "United Nations Operations in Somalia II (UNOSOM II) - DELIVERANCE". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ ""A nurse in Somalia and the current call to increase women's membership in the Canadian Armed Forces. A retrospective re-interpretation." | Journal of Military and Strategic Studies". 2024-02-12.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ "College Member Rebecca Patterson, CHE, Appointed to the Senate". Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ Pugliese, David (February 15, 2014). "List of Those Being Awarded Meritorious Service Decorations On Tuesday". Ottawa Citizen.
- ^ "Captain(N) Rebecca Louise Patterson". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "Breaking Down the Barricades: Women in Defence 2015". espritdecorps. 2015-10-28. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ National Defence (July 7, 2020). "Canadian Forces Health Services Group welcomes new Commander and Surgeon General". Canada.ca.
- ^ "Trudeau, Trebek and a Rear-Admiral: the Royal Canadian Geographical Society bolsters its Fellowship with three incredible leaders". canadiangeographic.ca. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ "Captain(N) Rebecca Louise Patterson". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ Schaumer, Julia (2018-12-11). "16 Days Campaign: Interview with Commodore Rebecca Patterson". NAOC. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ Canada, Senate of. "Meet Canada's newest senators 2022". SenCanada. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ Canadian Senators Group/e des sénateurs canadiens [@csg_gsc] (January 12, 2023). "Senator Rebecca Patterson is a decorated and highly accomplished former Flag Officer in the @CanadianForces. CSG members look forward to supporting her work in advocating for women and men in uniform, and veterans who face mental health challenges after their service" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Who We Are | Soldiers Helping Soldiers". Soldiers Helping Soliders. Retrieved 2024-10-01.