News

SIMCOE, ON. April 10^th, 2018.

The Haldimand-Norfolk Board of Health is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, as the full time Acting Medical Officer of Health commencing October 01, 2018.

Dr. Shanker Nesathurai currently holds several clinical and academic responsibilities:

• Chief of Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Hamilton Health Sciences
• Chief of Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
• Medical Director for Outpatient Rehabilitation Services at Hamilton Health Sciences
• Professor and Division Director for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, part of McMaster’s University’s Department of Medicine
• Honorary Fellow at the University of Wisconsin
• Harvard Medical School (part time member)

Dr. Shanker Nesathurai is highly qualified and trained. He received his Medical Doctorate (MD) from McMaster University in 1991, the Certificate of Registration for Independent Practice with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) in 1991, and the Certificate of Registration for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, with the CPSO in 1995. In addition, Dr. Nesathurai completed a Master’s degree in Public Health at Harvard School of Public Health in 2006.

Dr. Nesathurai also holds American medical licenses in Massachusetts since 1993 and New York in 1998.

Dr. Nesathurai has held and continues to hold several academic appointments, memberships to several professional committees, has received several professional awards and honors and has extensive professional publications.

In the interim, the Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Elizabeth Urbantke as the interim Acting Medical Officer of Health starting April 19, 2018.

Dr. Urbantke is currently Chief of Emergency Medicine at the Woodstock Hospital and the Investigating Coroner for Oxford County. She has previously held an Acting MOH position for Oxford County Public Health.

Dr. Urbantke is highly qualified and trained. She received her Medical Doctorate (MD) from the University of Toronto in 1995 and a Certificate of Registration for Independent Practice with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) in 1997. She holds specialties in Family Medicine and Special Competency in Emergency Medicine. Dr. Urbantke is currently enrolled in the Masters of Public Health at the University of Waterloo.

Dr. Urbantke has held and continues to hold several academic appointments and memberships to several professional committees.

The Board and staff will say Goodbye to our long standing Acting Medical Officer of Health Dr. Malcolm Lock since 2007 on April 18, 2018.

Dr. Lock will be missed and we extend our warmest wishes and our appreciation for his service, commitment and expertise. Dr. Lock will continue as the Medical Officer of Health for the Brant County Health Unit.

A farewell open house will be held on April 17, 2018 at the Gilbertson Administration Building. Invites and details will be shared.

We would like to thank Dr. Joyce Lock for working with the Board and Staff as the Acting Medical Officer of Health over the past several months.

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Media Contact:

Marlene Miranda

General Manager

Health and Social Services

519-426-6170 Ext. 3120

[email protected]