He was acting as the head of health, but now it’s official.
Dr. David Williams, who has been the acting chief medical officer of health for the province, was appointed to the position full-time in February.
“I am very pleased and honoured to be able to take on this critical role of leading the largest public health system in Canada,” says Dr. Williams in a recent press release. “Ontario’s public health system is seen as a leader on many fronts. And I look forward to building on that proud tradition and continuing to contribute to a system that holds the health and well-being of all Ontarians as its highest priority.”
Williams has spent more than two decades in the public health arena, getting his start in 1991. Since then, he has held various positions, including medical officer of health for the Thunder Bay District Board of Health, and associate chief medical officer of health and infectious disease at the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
The doctor is no stranger to the chief medical officer position, having served as the acting chief from November 2007 to June 2009.
Prior to getting into public health, Dr. Williams practiced in a hospital-based clinic as a general practitioner and GP Anaesthetist at the Sioux Lookout Zone Hospital.
He has also taken his skills abroad, working with the United Mission to Nepal’s mission hospital in Tansen, Nepal.
“Dr. Williams is well-known and highly respected within the fields of public health, infectious diseases and health promotion. I am very pleased that he has agreed to take on the leadership of Ontario’s public health system, especially as we roll out important initiatives like our Immunization 2020 plan,” says Dr. Eric Hoskins, minister of health and long-term care.
“I would like to thank Dr. Williams for the work he has done to safeguard the health of Ontarians during his many years in public health, most recently as the Active Chief Medical Officer of Health.”
