Dr. Cyd E. Courchesne
OMM, CD1, MD, MCFP, DAVMED, CHE
(Captain (Navy) retired)
Dr. Cyd Courchesne retired from the Canadian Armed Forces after 30 years of service before joining the Department of Veterans Affairs as Chief Medical Officer in 2014. Dr. Courchesne is a General Practitioner who obtained her Doctor of Medicine from Université de Montréal in 1987. She also holds a Diploma in Aviation Medicine from Kings College University, London, England, and a Master Certificate in Healthcare Management from the Sprott School of Business. She has been a surveyor for Accreditation Canada for 22 years and is a Canadian College of Health Leaders’ Certified Health Executive.
Throughout her career, Dr. Courchesne held a number of senior medical positions responsible for leading multidisciplinary Primary Care clinics at Canadian Forces Bases to being responsible for Medical Policy and the delivery of Primary Care for the Canadian Forces across Canada. She is currently responsible for the management of all Health Professionals at the Department of Veterans Affairs, for the management of Mental Health Support and Services for Veterans, and for overseeing the management of two Centres of Excellence funded by Veterans Affairs Canada: the Atlas Institute ( a Centre of Excellence on PTSD and related mental health conditions) and the Chronic Pain Centre of Excellence for Veterans. Dr Courchesne is the recipient of the Order of Military Merit and in 2025 was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her outstanding commitment to the wellbeing of Veterans and their families and of her valuable contribution to the Public Service of Canada.
