A new Acting Medical Officer of Health has been named for the County of Lambton, effective Nov. 21, the health unit announced Thursday.
Dr. Karalyn Dueck, who most recently served as the Acting Associate Medical Officer of Health for the Middlesex London Health Unit, has been appointed to replace outgoing MOH Dr. Sudit Ranade, who announced his resignation in June.
“We are extremely excited to announce Dr. Dueck’s appointment to the role of Acting Medical Officer of Health,” Andrew Taylor, general manager of the county’s public health services, said in a release. “The role of a MOH is integral in helping to advance the work of public health and Dr. Dueck joins us at a crucial time.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on board.”
Dueck — who also provided coverage as the Region of Peel’s Public Health Physician, worked with York Region Public Health and practiced medicine at the Guelph Community Health Centre — completed a portion of her medical residency training at Lambton Public Health under the guidance of Dr. Ranade.
“Dr. Dueck’s resume is extremely impressive, and she will be a tremendous asset to the County,” Lambton’s Warden Kevin Marriott said in a news release. Marriott also serves as Chair for the county’s Board of Health. “The insight she will bring to this role thanks to her prior work experiences is invaluable and will be of great benefit, and I am pleased to welcome her to our community.
“I would also like to thank Dr. Ranade for his support and direction since his departure in June and we certainly appreciate his role in the process of hiring Dr. Dueck.”
A licensed member in good standing with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), Dr. Dueck is also a certified Family Physician with the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CCFP) and holds the specialty certification as a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Public Health and Preventive Medicine (FRCPC), considered the gold standard of certification for medical officers of health.
The process to secure the Minister of Health’s approval for Dr. Dueck’s permanent appointment to the post is currently underway, the health unit noted.“I am thrilled to accept this appointment with the County of Lambton and Lambton Public Health,” Dr. Dueck said. “I would like to thank the Middlesex London Health Unit for the opportunity to serve as their Temporary Acting Associate Medical Officer of Health.
That said, I am very excited to begin working with the team at LPH and cannot wait to immerse myself in the community.”