By Rosalind Russell – The Board of Health for Public Health Sudbury & Districts has appointed Dr. Mustafa Hirji as its next Medical Officer of Health and CEO, succeeding Dr. Penny Sutcliffe as of March 18th, 2024. Consistent with provincial legislation, Dr. Hirji will be Acting Medical Officer of Health until the Minister of Health approves the Board’s appointment.
Board chair Rene Lapierre says they are excited to welcome Dr. Hirji following his years of experience with Niagara Region Public Health.
He also thanked Dr. Sutcliffe for over two decades of leadership and dedication to the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts.
Dr. Hirji says he is excited and humbled to join the organization that has a reputation for excellence and commitment to health.
Officials say Dr. Hirji obtained his Public Health and Preventive Medicine Fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2015. He has education in epidemiology, political science, and engineering physics, and is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact at McMaster University.
Dr. Hirji joins Public Health following more than eight years at Niagara Region Public Health where he served as Associate Medical Officer of Health including almost five and a half years Acting as the Medical Officer of Health and Commissioner of Public Health and Emergency Services.
They add during his tenure in Niagara, Dr. Hirji led the community’s response to the pandemic, increased focus on health equity, and strengthened the organization’s capabilities in communications and data analytics. Once Dr. Hirji joins Public Health in March 2024, Dr. Sutcliffe will begin her year-long sabbatical leading to retirement.
Photo: Dr. Penny Sutcliffe will be going on a one-year sabbatical before she retires. To that end, Public Health Sudbury & Districts has appointed Dr. Mustafa Hirji as the new Medical Officer of Health and CEO. Photo provided
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