News Releases

By Lieutenant (Navy) Pierrette LeDrew

Military families will soon have access to a medical clinic right in their midst, thanks to an agreement signed on August 25, 2006.

During a low-key ceremony, Colonel Tom Lawson, Commander, 8 Wing/Canadian Forces Base Trenton, signed a formal agreement with Alan Sarsons, director of operations for Primex Project Management Limited, the company that will set up the facility. The ceremony took place in front of the future clinic and was witnessed by a small crowd of invited guests.

"It is remarkable to see all the passages this went through to get to this point," said Col Lawson. He thanked the many people who worked together on this project -- in particular, he expressed great admiration for one of his staff members, Major (Maj) Apollo Edmilao, whose tremendous efforts were instrumental in making this happen. Mr. Sarsons agreed. "Maj Edmilao doesn't know what quitting means. He has continued to charge and lead through red tape and bureaucracy to see the birth of this clinic.

"Our goal is clear, our target is clear. We want to have the clinic up and running by the first of January 2007, possibly as early as the first of November," added Mr. Sarsons. According to him, the company hopes to bring in a doctor from outside of the Quinte area, which would be beneficial for the region.

Belleville Mayor Beverley Sills agreed, as did Quinte West Mayor Bob Campney. While Mayor Sills spoke of the moral obligation that municipal politicians have to provide adequate health care to the citizens of their communities, she also added that the new clinic will "reduce pressure on emergency services."

"It will reduce waiting times at local medical clinics," added Mayor Campney. It will also make life a lot easier for the many military families who do not have a family physician in the area.

Although there is a shortage of physicians in many parts of the country, military families face a unique challenge. With every move comes a new search for adequate health care. Clinics such as this one will alleviate these difficulties.

Also present at the ceremony was Tammy Kleinschmidt, spousal co-chair of the Military Family National Advisory Board (MFNAB), who happens to be the spouse of a military member currently stationed for the third time at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton.

"I hope that there will be a doctor here before we are posted again," she said, illustrating the situation faced by most military families in this country.

According to Mrs. Kleinschmidt, the problem was recognized several years ago. In 1998 the MFNAB was established "to support the Chief of Military Personnel by advising him on policy affecting military members with the hope of making the quality of life of military families as good as it can be," she said.

Health care for military families became a hot topic, and although there was much resistance to the idea of it being available on military installations, families continued to lobby for it. In time, many commanders caught on to the idea and began pushing as well, describing the challenges faced by their subordinates and offering possible solutions.

Today, there is another such a clinic at Canadian Forces Base Kingston. The tremendous efforts of everyone involved in this issue over the years are beginning to pay off, and Trenton is next. As Col Lawson said, "this is not over; we will all get together again on January 1^st to open this clinic."

Photo Credit: Cpl Tom Parker