New year start for South East Health Unit

On New Year’s Day, the South East Health Unit Board of Health met for the first time, officially launching the merged public health agency made up of Hastings Prince Edward Public Health; Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health; and the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit.

The newly formed board passed necessary bylaws for the South East Health Unit to function and elected Jan O’Neill, Hastings County mayor, as board chair; and Judy Greenwood-Speers, County of Frontenac councillor, as vice-chair.

“It’s truly an exciting time for our three legacy agencies,” said O’Neill. “Speaking for the board, we’re committed to working together to find new and innovative ways to best serve our various communities.”

The South East Health Unit Board consists of four municipal representatives from each legacy agency, and as of Jan. 1, six provincial representatives:
Councillor Bill Roberts, Prince Edward County
Councillor Conny Glenn, City of Kingston
Councillor Jeff McLaren, City of Kingston
Councillor Judy Greenwood-Speers, County of Frontenac
Warden Nathan Townend, County of Lennox & Addington
Reeve Richard Kidd, Lanark County
Mayor Robin Jones, County of Leeds and Grenville
Councillor Peter McKenna, Town of Smiths Falls*
Councillor Anne-Marie Koiner, Town of Gananoque*
Councillor Sean Kelly, City of Belleville
Mayor Jan O’Neill, Hastings County
Councillor Michael Kotsovos, City of Quinte West
Provincial representatives are: Barbara Proctor,
Melanie Paradis, Dr. Jeffrey Allin, Chris Seeley, Dr. David Pattenden, and Stephen Bird.

* Note that there are four municipalities (City of Brockville, Town of Smiths Falls, Town of Gananoque and Town of Prescott) who jointly appoint two board members who represent all four municipalities.

The responsibilities of the South East Health Unit remain the same as those of the legacy agencies: to provide public health-based programs that help prevent illness and injury, promote health and wellness, and protect residents from environmental health hazards.

“The merger has given us a unique opportunity to transform how we deliver public health services in our combined communities. It’s truly an exciting time for public health in the Southeast region,” said Dr. Piotr Oglaza, Medical Officer of Health and CEO for the South East Health Unit.

Efforts are underway to develop new branding for the South East Health Unit, which is expected to take several months. In the meantime, you will see logos and other advertising material from the former health agencies. You will also see some documents using the legal name South East Health Unit.

Office addresses, phone numbers, websites and social media accounts have not changed at this time. The new health unit asks that the public continue to interact with their local public health office as they usually would until otherwise directed. Please check the following websites for more information:

Residents of Hastings and Prince Edward Counties: www.hpePublicHealth.ca
Call 1-800-267-2803
Residents of the City of Kingston and Counties of Frontenac and Lennox & Addington: www.kflaph.ca
Call 1-800-267-7875
Residents of the Counties of Lanark and Leeds & Grenville: www.healthunit.org
Call 1-800-660-5853