Back in Nova Scotia after 25 years

Starting out as a nurse, a former Liverpool resident joined the military 25 years ago and in May took on the role as commanding officer of the Canadian Forces Health Services Centre Atlantic, in Halifax.

“It’s my first time basically posted back in Nova Scotia since I joined 25 years ago,” said Lieutenant – Colonel Anne Espenant. “It’s nice to come back and provide care in an area where I’ve lived all my life.”

Born in Truro, Espenant lived in Liverpool from a small age and graduated from Liverpool Regional High School.

She worked at the former Victoria General Hospital in Halifax in the early 1980’s.

“I lived near the recruiting centre and was walking by one day and just thought, I’d go in and see what they have to offer,” she explained.

Eight months passed before the military called Espenant to join.

She started in the Canadian Forces as a direct entry officer (DEO) critical care nurse.

Ottawa was Espenant’s first posting.

Lahr, Germany was her next location.

While in Germany Espenant retrained as an obstetrics nurse.

“What I like about the military is not only do you provide health care to people that are on the base, but we have to provide support no matter where they go,” she added.

She then went with a Canadian Field Hospital to the Persian Golf while posted in Ontario.

She earned her post RN Bachelor of Science in Nursing from 1993 to 1995 in Edmonton, Alberta.

Ottawa was her next posting.

From there the Canadian Forces deployed her to Bosnia in 1996/97.

In 1999, she became the senior training officer for the two Health Support Operational Training Unit and OIC of the military unit.

A promotion came along at the same time, making her a Major.

In 2004 she was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel.

She continues this position in Halifax from her office at Stadacona.

“That entails, sort of oversight of provision of care to military members in the Halifax area as well as Sydney and Saint Johns,” said Espenant.

The purpose of the Canadian Force Health Services, she continued is “because Canadian Forces members are excluded from the Canadian Health Act. We have a system in place that insures provision of care to uniformed members, both regular and reserves.”

She started the Halifax based job on May 14.

Enjoying her work, Espenant has always wanted to come back this way.

She will remain at this job posting for two to three years.