Chatham-Kent has a new Medical Officer of Health.
The Chatham-Kent Board of Health named Dr. Mario Kangeswaren on Wednesday as the replacement for Dr. David Colby. Colby announced his retirement earlier this year.
Dr. Kangeswaren will start no later than August 29, 2022, pending approval from the Minister of Health.
Dr. Kangeswaren comes with a diverse educational background, including a Masters of Science in Family Medicine from McGill University and a Masters of Public Health from the University of Waterloo. He also has experience supporting Indigenous communities.
"He has spent the last several years with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine doing a number or residencies with a number of health units across Ontario," said CK Public Health CEO April Rietdyk. "He has worked with a number of Northern Indigenous communities. Lots of work working with marginalized and very vulnerable individuals in a number of areas across the province."
Dr. Kangeswaren said he will work hard and thanks the board for the opportunity to serve the community, adding it's an honour.
“We are very eager to have Dr. Kangeswaren take on a leadership role with our local public health unit,” stated Councillor Joe Faas, Chair of the Chatham-Kent Board of Health, “I believe that he brings with him a fresh perspective that will serve the Chatham-Kent community well and we look forward to him onboarding, officially, in the weeks to come.”