WELCOME TO TEAM TEMA
MEET OUR EDUCATORS
The TEMA Foundation develops evidence-based and informed educational curriculum in mental health and wellness for first responders including public safety personnel, frontline workers, health care professionals, caregivers and providers, and the important people in their lives.
All of our resources are developed by Professor Colleen Kamps, MA CYC and Howard Conter, MD in collaboration with other accredited health care professionals and first responders associated with The Tema Foundation.
PROFESSOR COLLEEN KAMPS, MA CYC
Education & Curriculum Development Coordinator
Colleen is a licensed psychotherapist with over 40 years of clinical experience across a variety of settings including inpatient and outpatient mental health, crisis intervention, residential services, specialized trauma programs, education, and private practice.
She is also a full time professor and coordinator at Centennial College in Toronto in the Child & Youth Care Practitioner Program, and teaches part time at both Ryerson University and Simon Fraser University. Additionally, Colleen also provides clinical consultation, training, and supervision to professionals and agencies in the helping field.
Recently appointed as the Education and Curriculum Development Coordinator at the Tema Foundation, Colleen leads our team with her deep experience to create effective education and training for First Responders, Health Care Professionals, and other Public Safety Personnel.
DR. HOWARD CONTER, MD
Subject Matter Expert & Volunteer
Dr. Howard Conter was born and raised in Halifax Nova Scotia and has held many key positions including the Regional Medical Coordinator for Air Canada, a Trustee for the QEII Foundation, in addition to being the Medical Director for the Halifax Regional Police Department.
Howard’s medical background allowed him the pleasure of being involved with first responders for twenty years as a founding member of Tema. He is proudly dedicated to improving the mental and psychological health of first responders.
Howard is happily married to his wife Karen, they have two children, Adam and Jenna, and five wonderful grandchildren!
ROGER FORGET
Mental Health Education Specialist
Roger has spent most of his career working within the Emergency Medical Services Field. After graduating from Humber College, he began working part time for ambulance services in Barrie, Wasaga Beach and Collingwood. His full time EMS career began with the Parry Sound Ambulance Service; after working years in Parry Sound, Roger moved on to work with the Ministry of Health Air Ambulance program based in Toronto. He spent close to 10 years working as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic.
Roger then spent a few years working with youth before returning to the EMS field when he started working at Georgian Central Ambulance Communication Center as a communication officer before moving on to work in the Air Ambulance Communication Centre as both a communication officer and training officer. Finally, he worked as an Operations Manager for the Orange Communication Centre before pursuing a career in teaching at Seneca College.
Roger worked within the School of Public Safety at Seneca College for over six years, teaching a wide range of topics from disaster and crisis management course; law and youth justice course; crisis intervention, and communication procedures courses.
Roger holds a college diploma in both Police Foundations and Emergency Medical Care and he has completed an Honors BA in Justice Studies at Royal Roads University.
Throughout his career, Roger has believed in the importance of mental well being in first responders. He has taken many courses and training programs in crisis and suicide intervention. The opportunity to work with the Tema Foundation is a natural fit for Roger. Together, he can continue to assist those who have dedicated their lives to help those in need to continue to live healthy and balanced lives.
