OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 01/31/13 -- Captain (Navy) Raymond Kao, a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Medical Officer, was appointed the First Chair in Military Critical Care Research at Lawson Health Research Institute, the research arm of London Health Sciences Centre during a ceremony held today in London, Ontario.

Captain (Navy) Raymond Kao is currently the senior critical care advisor to the Surgeon General, critical care physician at the London Health Sciences Centre and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine at Western University's Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry.

"This is certainly a great honour for Captain (Navy) Kao and I hope this appointment will increase awareness of the critical support to military health research provided by our medical professionals," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence. "Canadian Armed Forces medical officers are exemplary members of the medical community as they provide first-rate care to Canadian Armed Forces personnel, which remains a key priority for the Government of Canada."

Sponsored by the CAF and affiliated with the Canadian Institute for Military and Veterans Health Research, the "Group Captain G. Edward Hall Chair in Military Critical Care Research" is named after the University of Western Ontario's former Dean of Medicine, and longest serving president, who also contributed greatly to Canadian and Allied defence as a military health researcher. His research in the development of oxygen equipment and protective clothing for pilots made such a huge contribution to the Canadian and Allied war effort that he was one of very few non-aircrew officers to be awarded the Air Force Cross. He was also made an Officer of the Legion of Merit by the Government of the United States, and he was elected to the Royal Society of Canada.

"My family is truly honoured today and my father would be so pleased by this announcement," said Ms. Sharon Naish, daughter of the late Group Captain Hall. "It is wonderful to know that the Canadian Armed Forces honour their past members with such dignity."

"Captain (Navy) Kao's superb work and extraordinary dedication to serving Canada are worthy of Group Captain Hall's noble example and commitment to protecting the armed forces through innovative research," said Brigadier-General Jean-Robert Bernier, the Surgeon General. "Just as the findings of Group Captain Hall's military research were

generally applicable to civilian aviation medicine, Captain (Navy) Kao's work contributes to the care and protection of both military personnel and civilians. To the staff of the London Health Sciences Centre and the Lawson Health Research Institute, I offer my profound thanks for the support you provide Captain (Navy) Kao, which in turn supports the health of all armed forces members and all Canadians."

The Government of Canada and the CAF, with the support of their health care partners, are committed to providing full-spectrum and high-quality health care to Canada's military personnel, wherever and whenever they serve. As part of this commitment, on September 12, 2012, Minister MacKay announced an additional $11.4 million to augment mental health care and preventive programs in the CAF. This initiative brings the CAF's annual health budget to approximately $440 million.

Notes to editor / news director: For more information on Canadian Forces Health Services please visit http://www.forces.gc.ca/health-sante/default-eng.asp