Meritorious Service Medal
- Awarded on: May 1, 2014
- Invested on: June 26, 2015
Rank: Lieutenant-Colonel
Lieutenant-Colonel Plourde was deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, as the leader of the Armed Forces Academy of Medical Sciences Advisory Team from July to December 2013. He developed and implemented a comprehensive health services plan for the Afghan National Security Forces by assessing how best to provide care with limited medical resources and time. His knowledge and leadership established a sustainable and relevant plan that was sensitive to the Afghans’ needs. Lieutenant-Colonel Plourde’s indispensable work brought honour to the Canadian Armed Forces and to Canada.