Alberta’s former chief medical officer of health (CMOH) will take on a new role as a deputy provincial health officer in B.C.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw is on a six-month contract, according to a statement from B.C.’s provincial health officer (PHO) Dr. Bonnie Henry on Wednesday.
“In her new role, Dr. Hinshaw will support the work of the office of the PHO,” said Henry.
Adrian Dix, B.C.’s health minister, said he is delighted to have Hinshaw join the team.
“Her extraordinary skills and energy and commitment (are) obviously great value,” said Dix.
“She’s not the first doctor to be recruited here from Alberta and certainly won’t be the last especially given … the respect we give public health doctors in B.C.”
Hinshaw held the CMOH position from January 2019 until November 2022, when she was removed by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith shortly after she came into power.
She was the face of Alberta’s coronavirus response and CMOH for the entire duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her leadership often came under fire, particularly when she went along with lifting almost all public health restrictions related to COVID-19 in the summer of 2021, which was followed by a massive wave of coronavirus infections in the province.
Hinshaw argued the decision to lift almost all restrictions — a move the province later backtracked on before eventually lifting restrictions again — was based on the fact that COVID-19 could not be eliminated so it was time for Albertans to learn to live with the disease.
At the time, she said getting rid of isolation requirements, asymptomatic testing and contact tracing would allow the province to focus on other health threats, including the opioid deaths and syphilis.
While some Albertans were critical of Hinshaw when she supported the lifting of public health measures, others voiced opposition to her when she brought in or expressed support for restrictions related to COVID-19.
Dr. Andrew Larder, who has previously served as a medical health officer at both Fraser and Interior Health, will also join the provincial health leadership team “over the next several months.”
“The toxic drug crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing responses to heat, wildfires and outbreaks have shown just how critically important the work we do in public health is in supporting and protecting people and communities throughout B.C.,” said Henry.
“I 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.”
Alberta Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley said Hinshaw leaving to a different province is a sign of a larger trend of doctors leaving Alberta’s system.
“We’re hearing from more and more doctors who want to work within a stable health-care system, one where science and evidence is the driving force of decision-making,” Notley said.
“And of course, where they’re able to practice their profession in a stable and respectful environment.”
A spokesperson for Alberta’s health ministry said the province had a net gain of 254 physicians in 2022.
“Alberta is gaining doctors overall, not losing them,” said Steve Buick. “The NDP’s statement is a reminder that they have nothing constructive to offer Albertans on health care, just a constant stream of false claims and empty politics.”
Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping thanked Hinshaw for her service and wished her well in her new role.
– With files from Phil Heidenreich, Global News