News

The Board of Health for the Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Joyce Lock to the position of Medical Officer of Health for a temporary period of six months, effective April 1, 2023.  

 Dr. Lock served as the Medical Officer of Health at Southwest Public Health in 2014 until she retired in the spring of 2022. She will fill the position of Medical Officer of Health on a temporary basis for six months while the Board of Health considers plans for the recruitment of a permanent Medical Officer of Health. 

In her role at Southwest Public Health, Dr. Lock covered both Oxford and Elgin Counties where she gained experience serving urban, rural, and agricultural areas. Prior to this role, Dr. Lock practiced medicine for 40 years, 25 of which were in emergency medicine. 

A graduate of the University of Toronto, Dr. Lock received her Doctor of Medicine in 1983, and gained her Fellowship in Public Health and Preventive Medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in 2014, qualifying her to be a Medical Officer of Health. 

“We look forward to the extensive experience Dr. Lock brings to the Health Unit team,” said Amy Martin, Board of Health Chair. “Her wealth of public health knowledge will be a tremendous benefit to our residents.” 

“I am looking forward to joining the Haldimand-Norfolk team to support the important work they do to keep the community healthy,” said Dr. Lock. 

The role of Medical Officer of Health is legislated under the provincial Health Protection and Promotion Act. The Medical Officer of Health is responsible to provide clinical oversight to Health Unit staff and to ensure that public health programs and services are delivered in accordance with applicable legislation. 

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