Dr. Mark Joffe out as Alberta chief medical officer of health

Alberta is seeking a new chief medical officer of health (CMOH) after Dr. Mark Joffe’s contract ended on Monday.

In an emailed statement, Albert Health said it expects to name an interim CMOH “imminently.”

“In the meantime, we will continue to rely on the advice of the many public health experts and officials at Alberta Health, as well as zone medical officers of health at Alberta Health Services,” it reads.

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“We want to reassure Albertans that public health continues to be a top priority during this transition. Alberta’s government will continue to work closely with health partners to ensure continuity in public health leadership and responses.”

The statement cites Joffe’s dedication and professionalism while providing public health expertise “during a time of significant challenges and transitions.”

Health Minister Adriana LaGrange declined to stop and talk to reporters inside the legislature Tuesday.

Joffe took on the role in November 2022, when he replaced Dr. Deena Hinshaw, who led the province through much of the COVID-19 pandemic and was later fired by the UCP government, with Smith saying then that, “I will be developing a new team of public health advisers.”

At the time of his appointment, he had worked with the former Capital Health and Alberta Health Services for more than 25 years.

Opposition health critic Sarah Hoffman told reporters inside the legislature on Tuesday that Hinshaw’s experience may make it difficult for the province to easily find a replacement for Joffe.

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“There is no line that they are unwilling to cross when it comes to public health,” Hoffman said

“There is a real culture of disrespect being shown by Danielle Smith and the UCP towards physicians and, specifically, public health physicians.”

mblack@postmedia.com

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