Two Sunnybrook physicians awarded Canadian Armed Forces Operational Service Medal- EXPEDITION
Earlier this week, Sunnybrook proudly hosted members of the Canadian Armed Forces for a medal ceremony honouring two outstanding Sunnybrook physicians.
Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol) Dylan Pannell, Department of Surgery and Lieutenant-Colonel (LCol) Marcos Silva Restrepo, Department of Anesthesiology were presented with the Operational Service Medal with EXPEDITION ribbon (OSM-EXP) in proud recognition of their service while deployed overseas.
The Operational Service Medal with EXPEDITION ribbon is presented by the Canadian Armed Forces to service members who provided direct support in a theatre of operations, under potentially dangerous circumstances.
The medal bears an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, as the then Sovereign of Canada at the time of the medal commissioning. The back side of the medal includes an image of the globe with maple leaves, which represents the spectrum of Canada’s involvement and service throughout the world, and laurel and oak leaves which represent honour, strength and victory.
"While the awarding of this medal recognizes Dr. Pannell and Dr. Silva Restrepo's service overseas as soldiers in the Canadian Armed Forces, we are also recognizing them today as exceptional physicians at Sunnybrook," says Dr. Avery Nathens, Medical Director of Sunnybrook's Tory Trauma Program. "Their outstanding commitment to both civilian and military service is a reminder that the lessons learned in combat can very effectively be translated into civilian care.”
Lieutenant-Colonel Dylan Pannell
Lieutenant-Colonel Pannell is a Medical Specialist in the Canadian Armed Forces as well as an attending trauma surgeon at Sunnybrook and an Assistant Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine.
He has served for more than 20 years in the Canadian Armed Forces in diverse roles as a physician, educator, and mentor. He received the Operational Service Medal-EXP for his service as part of a small-team medical mission deployed to Africa in 2023.
Lieutenant-Colonel Pannell stands with Lieutenant-Colonel Jo Schmid after being presented with the OSM-EXP medal.
Lieutenant-Colonel Marcos Silva Restrepo
Lieutenant-Colonel Silva Restrepo is also a Medical Specialist with the Canadian Armed Forces, specialized in critical care aeromedical evacuations. He also works as a staff anesthesiologist at Sunnybrook, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine at the University of Toronto's Temerty Faculty of Medicine, and is the Medical Director of the Pediatric Advance Support Program at the Michener Institute.
Lieutenant-Colonel Silva Restrepo has served with the Canadian Armed Forces for over five years and brings a wealth of knowledge and skill as a seasoned anesthesiologist. He received the Operational Service Medal-EXP for his service as part of a small-team medical mission deployed to Africa in 2022.
Lieutenant-Colonel Silva Restrepo after being presented with the OSM-EXP medal.
Sunnybrook and the Canadian Armed Forces
The relationship between Sunnybrook and the Canadian Armed Forces dates back to the hospital’s earliest days when it opened on June 12, 1948 as one of Canadas foremost military hospitals.
Since opening, Sunnybrook has transformed from Canada's largest Veterans care hospital into a globally renowned center for excellence in healthcare, education, and research. Today, Sunnybrook cares for over 200 Veterans who served in WWII, the Korean War and the Cold War.
Former Canadian Prime Minister, W.L. Mackenzie King giving the keynote address at the opening of Sunnybrook Military Hospital on June 12, 1948.
With the absence of current day military hospitals in Canada, Sunnybrook’s relationship with the Canadian Armed Forces is critical in ensuring active service members maintain clinical excellence in their respective fields, to maintain high levels of operational readiness. Today Sunnybrook is proud to support staff in active service as they deploy overseas as members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
“Through partnerships with civilian hospitals like Sunnybrook, the Canadian Armed Forces can ensure our medical personnel will be prepared for work overseas,” says Lieutenant-Colonel Jo Schmid. “By strengthening these relationships, our medical teams are able to bring back cutting-edge advancements from the battlefield, which in turn benefits civilian trauma care.”
Left: Canadian Armed Forces members and Sunnybrook physicians, Lieutenant-Colonel Pannell and Lieutenant-Colonel Silva Restrepo working to support Sunnybrook patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result of its relationship with the Canadian Armed Forces, Sunnybrook’s Tory Trauma Program is at the forefront of innovations in trauma care. The lessons learned from military clinicians like Lieutenant-Colonel Pannell and Lieutenant-Colonel Silva Restrepo have brought new ideas and insights to Sunnybrook, allowing us to offer exceptional care to our patients and state-of-the-art training to our staff.
Congratulations to both Lieutenant-Colonel Pannell and Lieutenant-Colonel Silva Restrepo for receiving this honour. Your continued commitment to both the Canadian Armed Forces and Sunnybrook makes us stronger each and every day.
