The November dinner meeting, held on 24 November at the RCAF Officers Mess, brought out thirty-four members, spouses and guests. Because no meeting was scheduled for December, this was an opportunity to extend early seasons greetings and this was done with some enthusiasm as the group gathered for pre-dinner cocktails in the main lounge. In fact, it was so convivial that it was difficult for people to break away to go to dinner.

The Mess lived up to its high culinary standards as it presented a three-course dinner, featuring a superbly done prime rib as the entr�e. The only complaint was that the servings were a bit too generous. There may be a problem scheduling the Spring dinner this year because of the Gala Medical-Dental Reunion planned for the May 21st week-end. Programs. Meetings are scheduled for 26 January, 23 February, 23 March, 27 April, 17 May and 28 June to bring our business year to a close. The January meeting should be of great interest to anyone who has ever been involved in training. Lieutenant-Commander Sandy Morter's presentation on operational readiness training should be most interesting and informative. Plan to be there. The 23rd February meeting is one that also should be marked for attendance when Dr. Phil Winkelarr will tell us all about the Canadian Medical Protective Association. So plan to attend at least one of these meetings.

Lieutenant-Colonel David Marshall extended an invitation to the Branch president, Major Charles King and to Lieutenant-Colonel Cliff Smith, to attend 28 (Ottawa) Medical Company's Christmas dinner on 12 December. It was an honour to be part of the unit's Christmas celebrations and the DMA guests were grateful for the opportunity to meet members of the Medical Company and to join them at dinner. It was also an opportunity to recognize one of the Medical Company's outstanding members who was nominated the best Medical Assistant of the year 1998.

Cpl. Eric Bruder is a 22 year old University of Ottawa student of human kinetics, who aspires to attain a medical degree and has applied to the University of Ottawa and to McMaster University for admission to their medical program. Cpl. Bruder completed a six-month tour in Bosnia in July 1998 with the National Support Element of 2 Service Battalion on Operation Palladium. Prior to going to Bosnia, he underwent a four month training program in Petawawa.

As the only reserve MedA with the Service Battalion, his duties covered a wide range of activities, including ambulance attendant and assisting the Preventive Medicine Technician.

His tour was not completely uneventful. When his Bison Ambulance acted up, he checked the radiator and nearly lost his face in the blow-up of the boiling steam.

His commanders at Camp Bear in Velika Kladusa, Bosnia, near the Bosnian-Croatian border, gave him very high ratings on his job performance on which he was considered to be the equal of or better than Regular Force trained MedAs. Cpl. Bruder had completed his basic training and Medical Assistant training to QL 4 in record time, finishing first on his course. This is no mean feat when one considers the difficulties Reservists must overcome to complete their training programs on a part-time basis. Cpl. Bruder added Basic Life Support to the Instructor level to his list of accomplishments, and is currently on a Junior Leaders Course, indicative of his higher degree of motivation and dedication.

In making the presentation of the Stretcher Bearer statuette, it was pointed out that there are a number of reasons for singling out individuals for recognition and for presenting awards such as these. Of course we praise the recipients for their accomplishments and thank them for helping the unit achieve its goals, but there is another reason equally important. And that is to give his or her peers an example of the kind of performance that is expected and rewarded so that they can strive to emulate these outstanding individuals. 28 Medical Company has a good number of role models that junior members can look up to and try to emulate. Cpl. Bruder, who was recognized this year for his exemplary performance over the past four and a half years since joining the Company in 1994, is but one of them.

The Ottawa group of medical and dental service people is hosting the latest in a series of reunions that have been held every two or three years since 1971. The place is the Minto Place Suites Hotel on Laurier Street West and the dates are 21-22-23 May 1999. This will be an opportunity to meet with old friends and acquaintances from across the country as they gather for a fun-filled week-end. If you have not received an earlier bulletin describing the affair, contact the Reunion Secretary, Charles King, at 733-2079 or by e-mail at A copy of the newsletter will be mailed to you and your address will be added to the mailing list for registration materials to be sent out in February 1999.

Are you eligible for membership in DMA? If you answer any or all of the following questions "yes", then you may be eligible for active or associate membership.

1. Are you a serving or retired member of the RCAMC or CFMS either Regular or Reserve?
2. Are you a retired member of the Canadian Armed Forces now engaged in a medical profession?
3. Are you a retired or serving military member of the Medical Services of a country belonging to NATO, SEATO or ASEAN or the British Commonwealth?
4. Are you a medical professional with a strong interest in aspects of military medicine or Canada's Armed Forces?

If you fulfill conditions for membership you may join at our Membership Page. Once your membership fees, currently $55.00 per year, are received as outlined on that page, you will be contacted by the Branch, National Treasurer or National Secretary, and also directed to your nearest Branch for affiliation. DMA is also registered as a Charitable Organization and is in a position to issue tax receipts for donations.

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