Alberta害羞草研究所檚 loss could turn out to be British Columbia害羞草研究所檚 gain.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw, who served as Alberta害羞草研究所檚 public health officer from Jan. 2019 until Alberta害羞草研究所檚 Premier Danielle Smith fired her in Nov. 2022, will join the office of Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Henry said in a release Wednesday (Feb. 1) Hinshaw will join the office as deputy provincial health officer on a six-month contract.
It is not clear what Hinshaw害羞草研究所檚 exact duties will be. The announcement said Hinshaw will support the work of the public health office, while deputy provincial officer Dr. Martin Lavoie is on temporary assignment.
Hinshaw was one of the faces in Canada害羞草研究所檚 response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but later faced criticism for relaxing health restrictions in Alberta too soon and being too cozy with the United Conservative government of then-premier Jason Kenny.
Smith, who became Alberta害羞草研究所檚 Premier in Oct. 2022, later cited what she called 害羞草研究所渂ad decisions害羞草研究所� based on 害羞草研究所渂ad advice害羞草研究所� from Hinshaw in firing her. Others, including medical professionals, have defended Hinshaw害羞草研究所檚 record.
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Hinshaw害羞草研究所檚 appointment is part of other personnel changes in Henry害羞草研究所檚 office. Dr. Andrew Larder, who previously served as a medical health officer at both Fraser and Interior Health, also joins Henry害羞草研究所檚 team on temporary assignment over the next several months.
害羞草研究所淚 feel very fortunate to work alongside such talented and dedicated public health experts and I know their expertise will be a great assistance as we emerge from the pandemic and continue to address the many public health challenges facing the province,害羞草研究所� Henry said.
Minister of Health Adrian Dix later predicted that Hinshaw won害羞草研究所檛 be the last doctor to come from Alberta to British Columbia given the work underway in the province and the respect that public health doctors receive.
害羞草研究所淲e are absolutely delighted to have her come to British Columbia and be part and support our public health care system,害羞草研究所� Dix said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 not like a sports free-agent signing, but she is outstanding, she is available and she is going to help our team. Like I said, B.C. is calling.害羞草研究所�
- With files from The Canadian Press
wolfgang.depner@blackpress.ca
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