Canada’s top doctor Theresa Tam leaving role at end of term June 20
Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam to Step Down
After four years of leading Canada’s public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Theresa Tam has announced that she will be stepping down from her position as Chief Public Health Officer at the end of next week. Tam, who has been in the role since June 2017, has become a household name in the last five years for her tireless efforts in guiding the country through the unprecedented health crisis.
Dr. Tam’s term will officially end on June 20, and she has stated that she does not have another job lined up. Instead, she plans to take a well-deserved break to explore new opportunities, spend more time with her family, and rekindle her passions, such as playing music and long-distance running.
As a pediatric infectious disease physician by training, Dr. Tam first joined the federal government’s public health team in 1998, around the time when measles was eliminated in Canada. She has since been at the forefront of numerous public health initiatives and has played a key role in shaping the country’s response to infectious diseases.
Despite her upcoming departure, Dr. Tam remains optimistic about Canada’s ability to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. She emphasizes the importance of immunization in stopping the spread of the virus and is confident that Canada can once again eliminate domestic transmission through widespread vaccination efforts.
Dr. Tam also stresses the need for Canada to uphold the principles of science and truth in the face of misinformation and disinformation. She believes that standing up for scientific evidence is crucial in safeguarding public health and ensuring the well-being of all Canadians.
Reflecting on Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Tam highlights the country’s ability to take a different approach from its southern neighbor, the United States, and ultimately save lives in the process. She commends the resilience and solidarity of Canadians in the face of adversity, acknowledging the collective efforts that have been made to protect public health.
