By Voice staff
A doctor who grew up in Winkler and has gone on to serve in a number of top positions in Manitoba has been named the new Chief Public Health Officer by the Government of Canada.
Winkler native Dr. Joss Reimer has been named Canada’s new chief public health officer
Reimer, who became the face of Manitoba’s efforts to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, will begin a three-year term April 1, and she welcomes the opportunity.
“Public health is about uniting efforts to protect and promote the well-being of people in Canada, especially those who are most vulnerable,” Reimer said in a statement. “I look forward to collaborating with colleagues and partners domestically and internationally, and with communities across the country toward this important goal.”
Reimer is a past president of the Canadian Medical Association and chief medical officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. She was the medical lead and spokesperson for Manitoba’s COVID-19 vaccine task force and spent nine years as undergraduate director of population health at the University of Manitoba.
She has public health expertise in health communications, health equity, sexually transmitted and blood borne infections and immunizations, and she has contributed to numerous scientific publications and presentations in both official languages.
Voted Humanitarian of the Year by Doctors Manitoba, she was lauded for her passion for physician wellness and public health.
Reimer completed medical training at the University of Manitoba and McMaster University, training several years in obstetrics and gynecology before finishing a public health specialty.
She completed a master’s in public health degree with a project focused on health communication in Kenya, and her research areas have focused on sexually transmitted infections and drug related harms with projects in Canada and Colombia.
Reimer has received several additional awards including the King Charles III Coronation Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, University of Manitoba Distinguished Alumni award, and the St. John Ambulance Pandemic Medallion.
Minister of Health Marjorie Michel said Reimer comes into the role at a critical time as the country continues to face a resurgence of vaccine preventable diseases such as measles, the threats posed by avian influenza A (H5N1), HIV, and tuberculosis as well as the ongoing impacts of the illegal drug crisis and the negative impacts of false health information.
“I am pleased to welcome Dr. Reimer to the role of Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer. I look forward to working alongside Dr. Reimer to address pressing and complex public health challenges.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Joss Reimer to the Public Health Agency of Canada. At a time when strong, science-driven leadership has never been more important, I am confident that her vision and dedication will help advance the public health and well-being of Canadians. I look forward to working together to drive meaningful progress and deliver lasting impact for Canadians,” said Nancy Hamzawi, president of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
