Medical officer of health Dr. Piotr Oglaza moving on

Dr. Piotr Oglaza

Hastings Prince Edward Medical Officer of Health Dr. Piotr Oglaza will be moving on in the same position at Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington Public Health.

We heartily thank Dr. Oglaza for his unwavering dedication and tireless work for our community and his exemplary leadership throughout the pandemic and his five-year career at Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH),” stated Jo-Anne Albert, chair of HPEPH board. “He will be greatly missed by the board, the staff at HPEPH and partners in the health care system and the community.”

In the interim, Dr. Ethan Toumishey will be assuming the role of Acting Medical Officer of Health and CEO.

“While Dr. Oglaza will be leaving on October 15 for his new position, we want to reassure the community that both HPEPH’s daily operations, and the ongoing pandemic response, will not be impacted by his departure.”

Dr. Toumishey recently joined the leadership team at HPEPH as Director of Clinical Programs, prior to which he played an integral role in HPEPH’s pandemic response while completing his residency in Public Health and Preventive Medicine.

After several years of practising family medicine, Dr. Oglaza came to HPEPH in 2016 to complete his Public Health and Preventive Medicine Residency and in June 2018 he was hired to lead HPEPH as the Medical Officer of Health and CEO.

“Dr. Oglaza has always been a passionate advocate for public health and the important role it plays in keeping our residents healthy,” stated Albert. “He skillfully guided HPEPH through the implementation of programs and services that have improved the health of those who live in Hastings and Prince Edward counties. These programs and services included low-income dental programs for seniors, community-based sexual health clinics, needle exchange programs, community naloxone distribution, school immunization and vision screening programs, improved access to prenatal programs and initiatives to minimize health inequities among vulnerable individuals, such as those experiencing homelessness in our community.”

She noted Oglaza’s leadership has been critical throughout HPEPH’s response to the emergence of COVID-19.

“His steady, compassionate and decisive leadership since has ensured that our region was, and continues to be, one of the safest places to be throughout the pandemic. While it is difficult to see him leave, we look forward to continuing the close working relationship HPEPH has established with KFLA&A Public Health, and continuing to work with Dr. Oglaza in his new role as MOH at KFL&A Public Health.”