Dr. Manuela Joannou M.D. CCFP(EM)FCFP
Dr. Manuela Joannou is a Family Physician and Emergency Physician currently practicing in Perth, Ontario. She is Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Queen’s University. She is also the Founder and Medical Director of Project Trauma Support, a novel program that addresses PTSD and especially Moral Injury in military members, veterans and first responders.
Dr. Joannou graduated from the University of Ottawa with an honours degree in Biochemistry and Nutrition in 1986 and graduated from the University of Ottawa Medical School Magna cum Laude in 1990. She was awarded the Frank P. Kraft graduation award for Excellence in Family Medicine. She completed her Family Medicine Residency at the University of Ottawa in 1992 and then achieved Special Competency in Emergency Medicine, also from the University of Ottawa in 1993. Dr. Joannou has worked in various Emergency Departments including the Ottawa General and Ottawa Civic Hospitals and in several community hospitals for 30 years. She had her own family practice for 20 years, and has provided locum coverage in primary care settings and hospitals.
Dr. Joannou has always had a special interest in psychotherapy and has been leading discussion groups and wellness programs and speaking at public events and conferences for the past 16 years. She developed an interest in PTSD and moral injury in first responders and military members/ veterans in 2014.
The idea for Project Trauma Support was a finalist in the Canadian College of Family Physician’s “Dangerous Ideas Soapbox” in 2016. Dr. Joannou also participated in an international working group that is studying moral injury among military and first responder populations. Dr. Joannou presented Project Trauma Support to an international audience of military medical officials from 15 countries at the Warrior Care in the 21st Century attached to the Invictus Games in Toronto in September 2017. She has also made presentations to the Canadian Medical Protective Association, the Police Association of Ontario, the Ontario Provincial Police Association, and the Peer Support team of the Ontario Division of Corrections Canada among others.
Dr. Joannou was awarded the designation of Fellow of the Canadian College of Family Physicians (FCFP) in August 2019 for her work. She and her PTS colleagues developed a Canadian College of Family Physicians accredited course for Family Physicians who help first responders and military members/veterans with PTSD and Moral Injury in 2020.
Mary Marcolin, MACP BEd BA Registered Psychotherapist
Mary’s approach is evidence-based, eclectic, and client centred, incorporating cognitive, behavioural, somatic, psychodynamic, as well as creative therapeutic interventions that resonate with the client. She holds additional certification in Acceleration Resolution Therapy (ART), Self In Relationship Psychotherapy (SIRP), as well as training in Ego States, Parts Work, and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for complex trauma.
Markus Besemann, CD BSc MD FRCP(C) Dip. Sport Med. Physiatrist
Markus is a graduate of the University of Ottawa, graduating in 1988. He completed a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in 1996 and was Chief of Rehabilitation at the Hull regional hospital and rehabilitation center from 1996-2008. He retired in 2023 as the Head of Rehabilitation Medicine for the Canadian Armed Forces. Since then he has continued to devote his career to the rehabilitation of injured CAF members and veterans. His main clinical interests lie in mind-body medicine, the influence of psychological trauma and moral injury on healing, and ancient and novel approaches to mitigate human suffering.
Dr. David Hamilton Psychiatrist
Dr Hamilton is a psychiatrist who has been in practice for over 20 years. His Interests include psychedelic assisted therapy, pharmacotherapy and brainspotting. He lives in Ottawa with his labrador and plays music in an alternative rock band.
Sergeant (Ret’d) Jeremy Blair LAV SGT, 6 PI, B COY/LAV.
Jeremy has been deployed several times with the Battalion, a 6-month tour to Kosovo in 1999-2000, a 6-month tour at CFS alert on the tip of Elsmere Island in 2001-2002, and three 7-month tours to Afghanistan between 2003 and 2007. After his return from Afghanistan in 2007, SGT. Blair completed an Advanced Mountain Operations course in 2008 and was posted to the Advanced Warfare Centre. Jeremy has extensive Canadian Armed Forces training and experience in leadership, instructional techniques, navigation, risk recognition and risk mitigation. He has experience leading in dynamic high risk environments while ensuring the safety of his team. He was the Avalanche adviser to Canadian battalion on NATO exercise in Norway, trained all Canadian soldiers in avalanche awareness and response, and supervised movement of approximately 500 soldiers through avalanche terrain.