B.C.'s deputy provincial health officer named Island Health's new top doctor
Island Health has a new top doctor after the previous chief medical health officer, Dr. Richard Stanwick, retired at the end of 2021 after more than 25 years in the industry on Vancouver Island.
On Tuesday, Island Health announced Dr. Réka Gustafson as the health authority's new chief medical health officer and vice-president of population and public health.
Gustafson was a familiar face during the pandemic, serving as B.C.'s deputy provincial health officer and serving senior roles in with the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).
Deputy provincial health officer Dr. Réka Gustafson provides an update on COVID-19 on August 17, 2020: (Province of B.C. / Flickr)
She would sometimes stand in for provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry at live COVID-19 briefings over the past two years.
Before that, Gustafson was also deputy chief medical health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health.
Gustafson will continue to work for the BCCDC and PHSA until Sept. 2, as the organizations complete a national recruiting process to fill her position.
In her role with Island Health, Gustafson will oversee the health authority's public health teams and work with senior leaders to implement health policies.
"I’m excited to welcome Dr. Gustafson to Island Health," said Kathy MacNeil, president and CEO of Island Health in a statement Tuesday.
"We are fortunate to have such an experienced provincial health leader join our organization and provide executive leadership for our population and public health initiatives," she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.