Lambton County's former medical officer of health for over 20 years has agreed to step back into the role temporarily.
The county's general manager for public health services announced Wednesday that Dr. Christopher Greensmith has been appointed as acting medical officer of health while Dr. Sudit Ranade is on leave.
“I am pleased to welcome Dr. Greensmith back to Lambton Public Health,” said Andrew Taylor. “He is not only a well-respected local family physician, but is also well-known to the community having served in the past as the county’s MOH for over 22 years.”
Taylor said Greensmith recently served as a primary care representative on the county's COVID-19 Immunization Task Force and also chairs the Lambton Infection and Prevention Control Committee for Bluewater Health.
Lambton Warden Kevin Marriott is pleased Greensmith has agreed to take on the role.
"It’s important to have strong, continued public health leadership at this time, and we are very fortunate to be able to retain the services of a seasoned and fully qualified public health physician,” Marriott said.
Dr. Sudit Ranade was acclaimed as the Liberal candidate for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex on August 11.
He is running against Conservative incumbent Lianne Rood, the Green Party’s Jeremy Hull, NDP candidate Chief Jason Henry and Kevin Mitchell of the People's Party of Canada.