Chief medical officer of health Dr. Deena Hinshaw provides a COVID-19 update in Edmonton, Friday, Sept. 3, 2021. More than 100 Alberta doctors have signed an open letter to express their concern about a decision to revoke a job offer to the province's former chief medical officer of health. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
EDMONTON – More than 100 Alberta doctors have signed an open letter to express concern about a decision to revoke a job offer to the province’s former chief medical officer of health.
Dr. Deena Hinshaw had reportedly been hired and then removed from a role with Indigenous Wellness Core, a program in Alberta Health Services focused on Indigenous health.
CBC News reported last week that it led to the resignation of the group’s medical director, Dr. Esther Tailfeathers, who said she left out of frustration with the move.
The doctors sent the letter to Dr. John Cowell, the chief administrator of Alberta Health Services, and Premier Danielle Smith saying the situation has caused harm to the relationship between doctors and the province.
They say it also hurts Albertans, particularly those who are Indigenous.
The doctors are requesting an investigation into the ethics and integrity of Hinshaw’s removal from the role and an apology to both Hinshaw and Tailfeathers.
Hinshaw, who was Alberta’s chief medical officer of health during the COVID-19 pandemic, was removed by Smith soon after she became premier.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 26, 2023.
