Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit - Media Release - July 19, 2022

Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit Welcomes New Medical Officer of Health 

Today, at a special meeting of the Board of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit, it was announced that Dr. Linna Li has been selected as the successful candidate for the position of Medical Officer of Health and Chief Executive Officer.   Dr. Li will be filling the vacancy created when Dr. Paula Stewart announced her retirement earlier this year (effective August 31, 2022).  Dr. Li will be the Acting Medical Officer of Health until approval is received from the Minister of Health, as outlined in the Health Protection and Promotion Act.

Dr. Li holds a medical degree from the University of Western Ontario (Windsor campus) and a Masters of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland.  During her residency in Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Dr. Li completed a rotation with Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit which exposed her to both the organizational culture and the diverse communities throughout the region. 

Dr. Li comes with experience from both Toronto Public Health and the Grey Bruce Health Unit; the latter serves a primarily rural area similar to Leeds, Grenville and Lanark.    With both her educational background and experience, we see her as a great fit with the existing LGLDHU team.

“We are very pleased to have Dr. Li take a leadership role with our local public health unit”, states Mayor Doug Malanka, chair of the Health Unit’s Board of Health.  “I believe she brings many strengths that will serve the LGL region well.  We look forward to Dr. Li’s introductory visits to all of the local municipalities and a successful future working together to build even stronger partnerships between the Health Unit and municipalities.”

Dr. Li will begin her role on September 1, 2022.