Deena Hinshaw has officially been fired as Alberta’s chief medical officer of health and replaced by Dr. Mark Joffe.
“I am honoured to be asked to take on the chief medical officer of health role for our province. I have always put the needs of my patients first and foremost throughout my career, which will continue as I take on this new challenge. I want to thank Minister Copping for giving me this opportunity,” Dr. Joffe said in a statement.
In Smith’s first press conference as premier last month, she hinted at firing Hinshaw.
“I will get new advice on public health,” Smith said.
“I appreciate the work that Dr. Deena Hinshaw has done, but I think that we’re in a new phase where we are now talking about treating Coronavirus (as) influenza.”
Hinshaw, of course, gave former premier Jason Kenney’s government advice to lockdown the province and to coerce Albertans into being vaccinated. Under her watch, Alberta Health Services entered places of worship to investigate whether restrictions were being followed and gave orders to arrest pastors.
Dr. Joffe is currently the vice-president and medical director for Cancer Care Alberta, Clinical Support Services and Provincial Clinical Excellence for Alberta Health Services. He will reportedly take on the role on an interim basis.
Alberta’s Minister of Health Jason Copping announced the move on Monday.
“Dr. Joffe has dedicated himself to improving the health of Albertans throughout his career. He brings this wealth of experience and knowledge to the role of chief medical officer of health. I look forward to working with him. I also wish to thank Dr. Deena Hinshaw for her service and dedication to Albertans through the past several years.”
Shortly after the announcement, some mainstream media outlets showed support for the move. Some noted that Dr. Joffe was against Ivermectin for treating COVID and had nothing but great things to say about COVID vaccines.
“If Dr. Mark Joffe is indeed Alberta’s new CMOH, worth noting he not only said ivermectin wasn’t useful against COVID, but added vaccinations are the best tool and to not fall for misinformation,” tweeted Courtney Theriault of City News.
