SMITH PURGE FOR PRIVATIZATION 

Alberta's deputy chief medical officers of health have resigned
Story by Madeline Smith • 
The province’s two deputy chief medical officers of health have submitted their resignations.


Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping.© Provided by Edmonton Journal

Dr. Rosana Salvaterra and Dr. Jing Hu have both given notice, an Alberta Health spokesperson confirmed Wednesday. For now, chief medical officer of health Dr. Mark Joffe will take on full-time duties.

“Dr. Joffe will be supported by medical officers of health within AHS, by other staff in the office of the chief medical officer of health, and by the public health division,” Charity Wallace said in a statement.

“We expect these changes to have no impact on the department’s and Dr. Joffe’s ability to meet the requirements of the Public Health Act.”

Salvaterra was formerly the medical officer of health for Peterborough, Ont., and she’s worked in Alberta’s office of the chief medical officer of health since October 2021. Hu has been in the deputy role since January 2020 — shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Health Minister Jason Copping first revealed during Wednesday’s question period at the legislature that the two deputies would be leaving, but continue to serve in their jobs for now.

“We are in the process of looking to fill those roles,” Copping said, noting that the ministry continues to support Joffe in his work.


NDP Opposition Leader Rachel Notley initally asked Tuesday in the legislature whether the deputies had resigned “under (the premier’s) leadership,” and when NDP health critic David Shepherd repeated the question Wednesday, Copping confirmed their departure.

Shepherd added in a statement that he fears the exits “will lead to further chaos” in the health system.

It’s unclear for now when the two deputies will officially leave and who will replace them.

It’s the latest news of turnover in Alberta’s health system, coming less than a month after former chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw was ousted from her job and replaced by Joffe, a longtime Alberta Health Services (AHS) executive. Hinshaw’s contract wasn’t set to expire until 2024.

Premier Danielle Smith said she would be replacing Hinshaw to seek “new advice on public health” shortly after she was sworn in.

Since then, she has also fulfilled a promise to move quickly on changes to the management of Alberta’s health system.

Last month, Smith replaced the 11-member Alberta Health Services board with a sole official administrator , Dr. John Cowell. He’s been given a broad mandate to decrease wait times in emergency rooms and for surgeries, improve EMS response times and consult with front-line workers to develop long-term reforms.

— With files from Lisa Johnson

masmith@postmedia.com

@meksmith