Chatham-Kent has a new Medical Officer of Health.
During a special meeting this morning, the Board of Health announced Dr. Mario Kangeswaren will officially be taking over the role no later than August 29th.
Dr. Kangeswaren has been working in Sudbury with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and will take over as Medical Officer once he is settled in CK.
“I would like to thank the board and CK Public Health for this great opportunity, to work with such a fantastic team, and serve our community going forward,” Dr. Kangeswaren said during a Zoom call with health board members and local media. “A very exciting time, I’m greatly appreciative and honoured by this opportunity, which I will work hard for.”
Dr. Kangenswaren earned his medical degree in the Netherlands, and has a Masters of Science in Family Medicine from McGill University and Masters of Public Health from the University of Waterloo.
General Manager of Health and Family Services Dr. April Rietdyk said he comes with a wealth of experience, having worked with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine for the last several years.
“He has worked up north with a number of the northern Indigenous communities, lots of work working with marginalized and very vulnerable individuals in a number of areas across the province. We are very, very excited to have him join our team.”
Drs. Ian Aara and Ninh Tran will provide vacation coverage for the MOH position while Dr. Kangeswaren moves to Chatham-Kent.
“We are very eager to have Dr. Kangeswaren take on a leadership role with our local public health unit,” said 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.”
Dr. Kangeswaren replaces Dr. David Colby, who retired at the end of April after 19 years as MOH.