Region's Chief Medical Officer announces his retirement

News Release
NWHU

Dr. James Arthurs, Medical Officer of Health at the Northwestern Health Unit has given notice that he will be retiring in March, 2014. Dr. Arthurs came to the Northwestern Health Unit in 2009, after working in the U.S. as a family and emergency room physician and then as Medical Director for the North Idaho Health Network. Jim and his wife Dorothy are making plans to travel and visit family in Canada and the U.S. and in different parts of the world.
The Board of Health for the Northwestern Health Unit will now begin recruiting a new “MOH” to fill the position. To be a Medical Officer of Health in Ontario you must be a physician with a fellowship in Public Health and Preventive Medicine or other post-graduate training in public health. Board of Health Chair, Julie Roy, comments on the growth the health unit programs have seen during the past four years. “Though we will miss the leadership of Dr. Arthurs, he is leaving our programs strong and thriving”.
At the Northwestern Health Unit the MOH position works alongside the Chief Executive Officer, Mark Perrault. Perrault states “We are at an exciting time for the health unit, very focused on our 2013-2016 Strategic Plan. We wish Jim all the best in his retirement and look forward to a new MOH joining the team and helping us achieve our objectives”.
Dr. Arthurs is optimistic about recruitment. “Northwestern Ontario is a great place to live and work. The outstanding staff of the health unit will make for an easy transition and ensure our programs continue to provide quality public health services”.