Colonel D.K. McDonald
Director of Programmes
Colonel (Col) Deborah McDonald enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as a Reservist in 1995 while attending the University College of Cape Breton. During her time in the Reserves, she held various positions such as Platoon Commander, Assistant Training Officer, and Adjutant. After completing her Bachelor of Science in 2002, she transferred to the Regular Force as a Health Care Administration Officer through a Component Transfer. Following a year in Saint-Jean, she was posted to 2 Field Ambulance, where she served as Administration Officer of the Base Medical Clinic and Adjutant. In 2005, she deployed as the Administration Officer and National Medical Liaison Officer of the Role 2B Medical Treatment Facility in Kabul, Afghanistan. Upon returning to Canada, she was posted to 1 Canadian Field Hospital, where she held positions as Adjutant, Operations Officer, and Officer Commanding Headquarters Company.
In 2008, she was promoted and posted to Toronto, where she served as the Medical Planner for Land Force Central Area/Joint Task Force Central. In 2010, she was selected for an occupation transfer to the Health Services Operations Officer role. In 2011, she was posted to Petawawa as the Deputy Commanding Officer of 2 Field Ambulance. In 2013, she was selected for Command and posted to 26/27 Canadian Forces Health Services Centre Greenwood, with detachments in St. John’s, Gander, and Goose Bay.
In 2016, she was promoted and assigned to Ottawa as the Senior Staff Officer, Personnel Generation, in the Directorate of Health Services Personnel at the Canadian Forces Health Services Group Headquarters. Her responsibilities included personnel production, the Annual Military Occupation Review, health services selection boards, and succession planning within the Canadian Forces Health Services.
In 2020, she was selected to command the Canadian Forces Health Services Centre Ottawa, working closely with the National Capital Region Surgeon and overseeing the Canadian Armed Forces patient population within the NCR, as well as all members and families posted outside the USA or named operations (Rest of World). She was promoted to her current rank
in 2021 and reassigned back to the Canadian Forces Health Services Group Headquarters as the Director of Health Services Personnel. This role encompasses Occupational Structure (military employment structure), Personnel Generation (succession planning, AMOR, and selection boards), and Health Services Personnel Policy and Programs (professional development, pay, and licensing). In 2025, she was appointed to the Canadian Forces College as the Director of Programmes.
She holds a Master of Health Studies from Athabasca University, is a graduate of both the Medical Strategic Leadership Program (United States Military) and the NATO Defense College Senior Course (144) and is a Certified Health Executive.
She is married to Grant (Infantry Officer, Royal Canadian Regiment) and has two children.
- Date modified: