In a press release Monday, the provincial government announced that Hinshaw will be replaced by Dr. Mark Joffe, vice-president of Alberta Health Services. Joffe’s interim term began Monday and will continue until the health minister rescinds the appointment, the press release said. He will continue his current contract with AHS without additional compensation as chief medical officer. Health Minister Jason Copping said in the release that Joffe has been dedicated to improving the health of Albertans throughout his career. “He brings this wealth of experience and knowledge to the role of chief medical officer. I look forward to working with him,” said Copping. “I also want to thank Dr. Deanna Hinshaw for her service and dedication to Albertans over the past few years.” When Danielle Smith was sworn in as Alberta premier on Oct. 11, she said she would replace Hinshaw and hire a new team of public health advisers who consider COVID-19 an endemic disease. Less than five weeks later, Smith made good on part of that promise. Hinshaw was appointed Alberta’s chief medical officer in January 2019. Her contract expired in 2024. He became a familiar figure across the province through hundreds of regularly scheduled updates on COVID-19, garnering both public adoration and ire for the advice he provided to the government. Joffe sometimes took her out on the podium. The Calgary native earned his medical degree from the University of Calgary in 1982 and specialized in infectious diseases. His new role is with Alberta Health.
