THUNDER BAY — The medical officer of health at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit plans to step down at the end of the year.
Dr. Janet DeMille, who headed the health agency during the entirety of the COVID-19 pandemic, announced she is leaving the post in a news release issued on Thursday.
“It has been a privilege to work in support of communities across the District of Thunder Bay through different roles with TBDHU over the last 20 years. I am thankful for the many years I have spent at TBDHU and the dedicated staff who I have worked with. My experience at TBDHU has been a very meaningful and rewarding time in my career,” DeMille said in a statement.
No reason for her departure was given.
James McPherson, chair of the TBDHU board of health, thanked DeMille for her service.
“We are grateful to have had Dr. DeMille as a part of our team over the past 12 years. Under her leadership, we have strengthened our local public health programs and services, responded to provincial policy changes, and navigated through the COVID-19 pandemic and the recovery process,” McPherson said.
“We wish Dr. DeMille all the best in her future endeavours, and I would like to extend thanks on behalf of the District of Thunder Bay for her service to the community.”
DeMille spent 10 years practicing family medicine in Thunder Bay and other Northwestern Ontario communities, while working part time at the health unit supporting clinical programs.
She then completed the public health and preventative medicine residency program at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, returning to the health unit in the role of associate medical officer of health in 2012.
According to the release, DeMille will work closely with senior leadership and the board to ensure a smooth transition to new leadership. DeMille took over the post from Dr. David Williams.
The health unit covers an area of 230,000 square kilometres and 15 communities and 25 First Nations.
