Chatham-Kent has a new Medical Officer of Health.
On Wednesday, July 6, 2022 at a special meeting of the Chatham-Kent Board of Health, it was announced that Dr. Mario Kangeswaren has been selected as the successful candidate for the position of Chatham-Kent’s Medical Officer of Health, filling the vacancy created when Dr. David Colby announced his retirement earlier this year, Municipal officials say.
Dr. Kangeswaren will be the Acting Medical Officer of Health until approval is received from the Minister of Health as outlined in the Health Protection and Promotion Act.
Municipal officials say Dr. Kangeswaren comes with an impressively diverse educational background, holding a medical degree from Saba University in the Netherlands, as well as a Masters of Science in Family Medicine from McGill University in Quebec and a Masters of Public Health from the University of Waterloo.
In addition, Dr. Kangeswaren has trained and practiced in a wide variety of locations across Canada and the United States, ranging from smaller, rural areas to large, urban centres.
Dr. Kangeswaren’s experience supporting Indigenous communities, both at an Indigenous Health Centre and on a number of reserves, help to showcase his commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, which will be both a welcome addition and a great fit with the existing CK Public Health team.
“We are very eager to have Dr. Kangeswaren take on a leadership role with our local public health unit,” stated Councillor Joe Faas, Chair of the Chatham-Kent Board of Health, in a media release.
“I believe that he brings with him a fresh perspective that will serve the Chatham-Kent community well and we look forward to him onboarding, officially, in the weeks to come.”
Dr. Kangeswaren’s duties will begin his duties no later than August 29, 2022.
