Dr. Mustafa Hirji welcomed as new Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer for Public Health Sudbury & Districts

Public Health Sudbury & Districts is pleased to welcome Dr. Mustafa Hirji as Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer for Public Health Sudbury & Districts, effective March 18, 2024.

“Today, Dr. Hirji officially joins Public Health’s dedicated team, bringing a wealth of knowledge, experience, and expertise to his role as our agency’s leader,” said Board of Health Chair, René Lapierre. “In the evolving landscape of public health, it’s essential to have strong and visionary leaders, and we would like to thank Dr. Hirji for accepting and embracing the challenges and responsibilities of this job. The Board of Health is confident that his leadership will further bolster Public Health Sudbury & Districts as an effective, stable, and locally responsive public health agency,” said Lapierre.

Dr. Mustafa 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 as Acting Medical Officer of Health and Commissioner of Public Health and Emergency Services. In his first few months in the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts, he will focus on building meaningful relationships internally and externally to support the community health and well-being. Through engagement with staff, community members, municipal and Indigenous leaders, and organizations, he will seek to gain valuable insights into the unique local contexts, community needs, and public health opportunities and challenges. Dr. Hirji is committed to ensuring Public Health programming remains locally responsive, particularly through any public health system changes.

“I am thrilled to join Public Health Sudbury & Districts as the new Medical Officer of Health and CEO and am eager to immerse myself in the rich culture, diverse nature, and vibrant communities throughout the Sudbury and Manitoulin districts,” said Dr. Mustafa Hirji, Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer for Public Health Sudbury & Districts. “I look forward to learning from the dynamic team here and engaging with community members on improving health and health equity throughout the service area. My goal is to build on the agency’s considerable strengths and apply my skills, in collaboration with partners, to build healthy communities for all,” said Dr. Hirji.

The search for a new Medical Officer of Health began in the fall of 2023, after Dr. Penny Sutcliffe announced a year-long sabbatical leading to her retirement, following 23 years of dedicated service to Public Health Sudbury & Districts. The Board of Health announced the appointment of Dr. Hirji as Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer in December 2023.

For more information about Public Health Sudbury & Districts’ programs and services, please visit phsd.ca or call 705.522.9200 (toll-free 1.866.522.9200).