Joss Reimer named Canada's next chief public health officer

Joss Reimer will become Canada's chief public health officer for a three-year term starting in April, and the Public Health Agency of Canada highlighted her experience in health communications, immunizations and health equity.

Joss Reimer has been named Canada's next chief public health officer for a three-year term beginning in April. She has held leadership roles including president of the Canadian Medical Association and chief medical officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. The Public Health Agency of Canada said she brings expertise in health communications, health equity, sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, and immunizations. PHAC also noted her role as medical lead and spokesperson for Manitoba's COVID-19 Vaccine Taskforce and her academic work at the University of Manitoba. Key details: - Appointment: three-year term as chief public health officer starting in April. - Leadership roles: former president of the Canadian Medical Association and former chief medical officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. - Public health roles: served as medical lead and spokesperson for Manitoba's COVID-19 Vaccine Taskforce and was undergraduate director of population health at the University of Manitoba for nine years. - Expertise noted by PHAC: health communications, health equity, sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, and immunizations. - Context from PHAC: she joins the agency while Canada faces renewed challenges including vaccine-preventable diseases, avian influenza, HIV, tuberculosis, the illegal drug crisis, and harmful false health information. Summary: Dr. Reimer will begin her three-year term in April as Canada's chief public health officer. The Public Health Agency of Canada emphasized her experience in communications, immunization and health equity in announcing the appointment. PHAC described her arrival as occurring amid several public health challenges the agency has identified.